klein throws liberal book

Klein loses temper and throws booklet at legislative page Canadian Press
Published: Wednesday, March 01, 2006

EDMONTON (CP) -- Premier Ralph Klein has apologized for throwing a booklet at a page in the legislature during an emotional debate Wednesday over Alberta's health care reforms.

The 17-year-old page had delivered a soft-covered, 80-page booklet of Liberal policy proposals to Klein's desk in the assembly, when he grabbed it and tossed it at her.

The premier was heard to say, "I don't need this crap,'' referring to the booklet that was sent to him by the opposition as they fired pointed questions over the Third Way health reforms.

The page refused comment to the media and there was no confirmation that the booklet actually hit her.

Speaker Ken Kowalski was clearly miffed over the incident and Klein later rose and apologized to the page and to the Liberals for calling their policy booklet "crap.''

The premier said he was simply frustrated over health care, but Liberal Leader Kevin Taft described the incident as "appalling'' and said it shows the premier is "out of control.''