Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson is laughing off an allegation that she gave the finger to the Opposition side of the House of Commons last week.

The alleged incident occurred during a heated exchange on Canada’s relationship with France and reports indicating that the EU nation was interested in pursuing a snow crab fishery on the continental shelf.

Thompson dismissed the notion that she flipped the bird on VOCM Open Line with Brian Callahan.

“Absolutely not! And to think otherwise, it’s ridiculous.”

Thompson calls the controversy surrounding the French crab question “not an active story” and says she and her cabinet colleagues are working together in the best interests of the country.

“I take this work seriously,” says Thompson “we are in challenging times…I am grateful for the Prime Minister’s leadership (and) I am grateful for the team around me.”