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“Mansplaining” may soon be added to the list of banned words in the Alberta legislature.

Premier Rachel Notley flung the accusation at Alberta Party Leader Greg Clark in Tuesday’s question period, after he asked whether she knew there are environmental benefits to building a pipeline. Clark was not impressed, shaking his head as he stood to note a point of order.

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The resulting post-QP debate was 10 minutes long. It included references to Australia and members from all sides of the political divide jumping up to have their say.

It’s not the first time the term has come to the attention of Speaker Robert Wanner.

In March, the NDP apologized and withdrew the comments of Energy Minister Margaret McCuaig-Boyd, who accused energy critic Don McIntyre of mansplaining electricity.

On Tuesday, though, Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley defended Notley’s use of the word. Just because Clark was polite while he mansplained, she said, doesn’t take away from his condescending tone.

Progressive Conservative MLA Richard Starke and United Conservative Party MLA Angela Pitt both argued the term should be banished from the legislature floor.

Wanner said he would make a formal ruling on the word Wednesday.

egraney@postmedia.com

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