A Canadian politician found himself in a tight spot after he stepped out of Parliament during a procedural vote.

When a fellow member of Parliament raised the issue, asking if Pat Martin's vote should still be counted, Mr Martin offered an explanation few will likely forget.

"I did leave my seat briefly in the middle of the debate," Mr Martin acknowledged. From there, things took a distinctly personal turn.

"I can blame it on a sale that was down at the Hudson Bay where they had men's underwear on for half price. I bought a bunch that was clearly too small for me. I fight it difficult to sit for any length of time," Mr Martin said amid cheers and applause from his colleagues.

Apologising for his brief absence, Mr Martin said he had not meant for it to jeopardise his right to vote - an explanation that appeared to sit well with the Speaker who allowed Mr Martin's vote be counted in the procedural motion.