But that wasn't the only debate that had viewers like, "Whaaa?"
Later in the meeting, the PM introduced a loan motion for the expansion and rehabilitation of the Philip Goldson Highway. The area rep for Albert, Tracy Panton, stood up to give her views, which were against the motion, and that rubbed the government side the wrong way. The Minister of Agriculture then rose to fire back, and somehow that led to a debate about carrots.
Last month, Panton had complained about the state of carrots in the farms In Mia's Orange Walk South, which she said were rotting because they weren't being sold on the local market. Minister Mai then responded with a few choice words, after which the PM told Panton to calm down before she "catches a stroke." Here's how the exchange went:
Hon. Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture
"And she spoke about carrots and putting old pictures from - under their term, Madam Speaker, she is confused. Confusing in the sensation to pee-pee and to poo-poo - onions spoiling Madam Speaker? The last report of the 26th May is saying that we will have onions up to June 10th, but we will do our evaluation on June 15th, because after that we may have to import if there are not sufficient onions. So, how will you say onions are spoiling in the field. When you put nonsense on facebook like that, it is shaming man. Let me tell you something, you need to correct yourself. When you go and sit-down on the carrots and take a photograph, I will believe it. The next time you go to San Carlos, you go and sit on the carrots and take a photograph and make it evidence. Do not come here and lie. You are deceiving people. Unconfuse your sensation, please."
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"The member from Albert reminds me of a person building a house and he realize he already spent a lot of money, so he said Well, I'm not going to put a bathroom or kitchen or windows or doors, because that highway was started by your government. Now I could assure you member from Albert, that if this government was building that highway from the start, we would have already finish it with the same money that you already spent."
"When you were talking, I was listening to you. Don't get excited, you might get a stroke right now, just relax."
And following that, Panton wrote on her Facebook page, quote, "Abelardo Mai, is that how you speak to a woman? … 'Go sit on the carrots' … Where are Rossana and Dolores? In fact, where was the House Speaker, Valerie Woods, did she really miss the sexual innuendo of this fool?" End quote.
And the UDP were quick to issue a press release, saying that they were appalled at the, quote, "nasty verbal assaults directed at Tracy Panton in today's House Meeting." End quote. They are condemning the comments made and all the members who laughed at them.
The release continues, quote, "It is a most shameless display of misogyny! We find it even more disappointing that Speaker Woods chose not to reprimand Mai for his vile comments." End quote.
They called on Speaker Woods to demand an apology from and censor Mai.
Since then, Minister Mai has told us via text that he has reached out to Panton to clarify what he said and to apologize. In a text, he said, "I would never say such demeaning statements to a lady." End quote. According to him, she has accepted the apology.
