Michael Higgins: Liberal MPs go berserk over the question, what is a woman?

Liberal Member of Parliament John-Paul Danko speaks during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa April 29, 2026. Photo by Blair Gable/Postmedia

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If Mark Carney does yell at his caucus, as has been reported, then he should start with the incredible Liberal dullards who think the question “What is a woman?” is offensive. 

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It is unfortunate that we live in an age where that question has to be asked, but disturbing that it provokes Liberals to act like unruly children in need of parental discipline. 

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This week, at a science and research committee meeting, Conservative Vincent Neil Ho was questioning Mona Nemer, Canada’s chief scientific advisor, about whether her governmental role was to defend science from politics or help political activists redefine science. 

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Pointing out that as a molecular geneticist by training Nemer “knew a thing or two about X and Y chromosomes” Ho dared to ask: “What is the definition of a woman.” 

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Apparently what should be an innocuous question infuriated Liberal John-Paul Danko who threw a hissy fit. 

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Danko first felt the need to point out, “It is Pride month” before going on, “Under Standing Order 18, which prohibits personal attacks, insults and offensive language, the accusation, where this question is going is highly offensive. Highly offensive.” 

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As the chairwoman tried to end Danko’s rant, he continued, “I ask the member to withdraw his comments. Asking someone what is a man or woman? Highly offensive.” 

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When Ho resumed he pointed out that the nationwide census asked the same question and all he wanted was to hear Nemer’s view. 

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But the Liberals weren’t finished with their tantrums. 

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This time it was Taleeb Noormohamed, Danko’s colleague in the creche, calling for a point of order and claiming that the question was not within the mandate of the chief scientific advisor. 

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Apparently the Liberals would have us believe that a woman trained in molecular biology, holding a PhD in chemistry and formerly the University of Ottawa’s director of the Molecular Genetics and Cardiac Regeneration Laboratory, is not up to the task of defining a woman. 

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However, it turns out that she is because Ho persisted and Nemer replied, “Genetically speaking we define female in the animal kingdom as someone with two X chromosomes.” 

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Apart from the adolescent behaviour, what exactly were the Liberals doing? Why do they find the mere question offensive and insulting? Are they trying to cancel half of the population? 

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Matters continued outside the committee room with Danko tweeting, “Absolutely disgusting anti-trans behaviour by @vincentneilho during pridemonth – deliberately generating hatred, division and bigotry. And he’s proud of himself.” 

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Fellow Liberal Doug Eyolfson joined the pile on, tweeting, “@vincentneilho engaging in a disgraceful transphobic line of questioning during Science and Research Committee and then bragging about it. CPC.HQ seems to think that this is acceptable behaviour in its MP’s.” 

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Are there any adults in the Liberal caucus? 

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That the Liberals were churlish and querulous is one thing, but they were also engaging in the kind of behaviour that was denounced most thoroughly last year by the UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls.