Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh found himself sparring over policy and politics with an unexpected interlocutor: Anaida Poilievre, wife of Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre.

The social media donnybrook was triggered by an incident that happened Tuesday, when Singh was accosted by several members of the public outside Parliament. In the exchange, which was captured on video, someone asks the NDP leader: “Are you voting non-confidence today?” Singh doesn’t respond and merely keeps walking. Another then says: “Corrupted bastard.” Singh then turns to confront two men, both of whom denied making the second remark.

Singh later took to social media to write about the fracas. “By now you’ve probably seen the video,” he wrote. “For days now, bullies in Ottawa have been spewing hate and harassing Canadians who don’t agree with them. An Indigenous woman being called a Nazi. Staff being harassed. Journalists being yelled at. That’s the country Pierre Poilievre wants.”

He added: “Me? I believe everyone should feel safe walking our streets. I believe we need to stand up to bullies and shut down hate. Canadians believe in lifting each other up. Not tearing each other down. Stand with us.”

Poilievre, who has worked as a political staffer in Ottawa, then responded with her own post: “I am sorry you were harassed today. Of course, it shouldn’t be that way. There’s better language, and a time and place to debate policies and what’s best for our country.”