Liberal MP says she regrets ‘distress’ caused to witnesses who left meeting in tears

The Canadian Press 01/08/2024 Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld fell short of an apology after instigating a fracas on Wednesday that led two witnesses testifying about violence against women to storm out of a parliamentary committee hearing. Vandenbeld said in a statement that she deeply regrets the “distress that this meeting caused the witnesses.” The statement came after a domestic violence survivor Cait Alexander demanded an apology from the MP for what she described as “abusive” behaviour. “Sorry, I don’t accept this statement from her,” Alexander, who appeared before the committee as a witness, said Thursday. “She knew what she was doing. She didn’t make a mistake — mistakes happen. I can forgive mistakes. This was intentional.” Another of the committee’s witnesses, women’s’ advocate Megan Walker, said Vandenbeld’s regrets don’t amount…

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