Conservative Candidate Comes Under Fire For 'Tasteless' Jokes
While NDP Candidate Goes Up In SmokeThursday September 18, 2008
CityNews.ca Staff
Only days after the Conservatives suspended their communications director over comments about a fallen Canadian soldier's father came calls for the resignation of another party member after he made light of the deadly nationwide listeriosis outbreak.
The alleged comments were made by Conservative Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz (pictured) at the height of the scare last month. He apparently joked about the situation during a conference call with about 30 political staffers and public officials on Aug. 30.
Some of the people involved in that conference call were disturbed by the gallows humour and divulged the details to the media on the condition of anonymity. They claim Ritz expressed worry about the political fallout of the outbreak and then joked: "This is like a death by a thousand cuts. Or should I say cold cuts."
When Ritz was informed of a new death in the outbreak, which has been linked to a Maple Leaf Foods plant in Toronto, he said: "Please tell me it's [liberal MP and agriculture critic] Wayne Easter."
Ritz offered an apology for his remarks Wednesday night, calling the comments "tasteless and inappropriate."
"It was a highly stressful time," he said. "Many people were working countless hours and attending countless meetings to keep on top of the situation. In that context, I made a couple of spur of moment offhand comments. In particular, one about my official opposition critic, whom I have already called to apologize."
NDP Leader Jack Layton, Liberal Leader Stephane Dion and Easter have both called for Ritz's resignation but a spokesperson for Harper said while the comments were beyond the pale, Ritz will not be asked to step down.
"Mr. Harper has no choice. He must fire this man because of his complete lack of sensitivity that he's expressed himself by these unacceptable remarks," Dion said. "He must be fired right away. Mr. Harper has no other choice."
And there are reports that another high level Conservative also used the listeriosis outbreak as material for a joke. Health Minister Tony Clement, who wasn't in the country during the height of the outbreak, allegedly introduced himself at a Denver convention by saying: "I'm Health Minister Tony Clement, and I have to say I approved this food."
But it wasn't just the Conservatives who were wriggling Thursday. The NDP was also forced to deal with a controversial candidate running in B.C.'s West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast riding who was selling coca plant seeds at his store.
Dana Larsen, a former member of the Marijuana Party a host of Internet show pot.tv, said he resigned following a discussion with party brass Wednesday.
"I didn't want this to distract from the larger issues of the campaign. Since it seemed to be something people would be focusing on, I decided to submit my resignation," he said, adding it would be near-impossible to produce cocaine from those seeds.
His shop also sells seeds that he said fall into the "grey area of legalities" including marijuana, peyote and opium poppies.
Layton expressed regret that his party didn't take the time to vet the candidate more thoroughly.
When asked if Larsen represented his party, the NDP boss responded by saying he "certainly doesn't and that's why he's no longer a candidate."
