February 11, 2010 was not a high moment for New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham, as Justice Minister Bernard LeBlanc resigned due to a breach of privacy that occurred when he was minister of local government. He is the fourth cabinet minister to step down in just seven months. But the day will probably be most remembered for the video above.

This footage of legislative proceedings is full of rich ironies. The speaker gives instructions on good decorum to which Liberal MLA Abel LeBlanc immediately gives Conservative members the finger. The legislators respond in faux shock, uttering gasps as if the gesture was unthinkable. LeBlanc offers some more insults, giving members opposite the finger while complaining they are not honourable. In mild tones, the speaker warns LeBlanc to retract words that he obviously has no intentions of withdrawing. Then the speaker has to get a whisper from an assistant to be reminded of what else he should say.

Leblanc was suspended from the legislature for three days.

The base salary for a New Brunswick MLA is $85,000, while cabinet ministers and the speaker make more than $137,000.