In fairness to Baird, his comment, though intemperate, was made in an apparently private setting and in response to forms not being properly completed. Most of us have sworn in frustration while under stress -- not praiseworthy but hardly surprising and not really very newsworthy.
Canada's ruling Conservative party is facing yet another controversy over ministerial remarks.
The Toronto Star reports Tuesday that Transport Minister John Baird used the F word when referring to Toronto while speaking with aides in the media room at a meeting of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in Whistler B.C., Monday.
The Star said Baird was speaking about the city's application for infrastructure funds which he said did not meet the technical criteria.
The newspaper quoted Baird as saying other municipalities got it right and Toronto was complaining.
"They should f— off," the newspaper quoted Baird.
The newspaper said Baird acknowledged the remarks when they were read back to him but also said his remarks were private because he did not realize he was in the media room.
14 comments:
Except that he regularly makes himself out to be a blustery blowhard.
A one-off, no problem. But he's a loud-mouth with a temper, and it's a reflection of his attitude overall, and that of the Conservative government generally.
"In fairness to Baird, his comment, though intemperate, was made in an apparently private setting..."
Actually it wasn't a private setting - it was in a MEDIA ROOM. A meeting was ongoing so many ears, including media, to hear what he said.
And Michael is right - Baird is continually saying things like that & is very bad-tempered & loud-mouthed.
I, too, have said things in public I probably would regret ending up in the paper.
If, by public, you meant in front of my bathroom mirror after reading another blowhard conservative dismiss huge chunks of the country.
Oh, that's probably not what you meant. Nevermind. He's just another blowhard feeding well at the public trough, while taking snipes in public along the way.
In that regard, I agree it's pretty much a non-story.
Agreed that the remarks were 'off the cuff' and certainly unbecoming of a executive-level representative of the government, however.... I do believe there is more to this story as the city of Toronto begins to clarify the details of its bid for infrastructure money. Additionally, the remarks, again, are typical of Baird's loudmouth style but also continue to contribute to painting a picture of a group of partisan hacks completely out of touch with the economic realities in Ontario. Already accused of letting infrastructure money barely trickle out from the coffers, a seemingly smart (politically) group are now in full panic mode because they have to govern...something they are clearly not capable of. I think the remarks aren't that serious, but they do paint a much larger picture and that is the issue.
If anyone has ever wonder why people hesitate in going into politics we have a great example these past few days. Unless your perfect everyone will try to bring you down for political points.Just ask Dr. Ruby Dhalla.I mean common people hey. Now that I have said this,someone will come up and say something in the neighbourhood the Conservatives do it all the time. Just don't be so surprised if it happens.
Dropping the fbomb isn't what it used to be, like say in 1955.
Really not a big deal, if you have ever wondered around the halls of a Junior High School,
or listened to a CBC reporter thinking she was off mic.
Once again Libs/media go ballistic over the modern day meaning of 'sexy', like they did 'tar baby'.
This is not 1955, like when
'gay' meant delightfull, cheery.
Ruby Dhalla: Hearsay, and questionable 'witnesses'....
Conservative Cabinet Ministers: Actual words, from their mouths, recorded. No question of what occured or the "context" of their words
Ask Yourself PC if the shoe was on the other foot - oh then we'd hear b'but...b'but ADSCAM!!!
I hate suspense, so CONSERVATIVES DO IT ALL THE TIME..... happy now PC? PC...ha! it is to laugh....
"Dropping the fbomb isn't what it used to be, like say in 1955."
Yeah wilson, its cool to think cancer treatment as a sexy issue, and to tell Canada's larges city to F#ck off... great way to win the hearts and minds when you are running a minority government.
Hope whatever you spin in your mind is working for you.
Actually Baird was referring to the people who work for the city of T.O. responsible for filling out the application for stimulus funds, not everyone in T.O.
Nice to see how Liberals haven't lost there pathetic little knack for taking things completely out of context.
Reading some of the comments here it just proves my point. If someone that I know would ask my opinion about running for public office i would tell this person consult a psychiatrist and fast. I just don't understand why anyone would want to put themselves in the spot light like this. Even if Jesus Christ himself would run he would be criticized. People with lots of cash that don't need the money still run for office. I just don't get it.
Sounded like "fuddle-duddle" to me.
Yeah, unfortunately you're right on one point, ProudCanadian.
That Jesus guy is awfully left by any standard. Have you heard some of his speeches? Geesh.
And he hasn't ever had a girlfriend to my understanding, always hanging out with his buds.
Not that there's anything wrong with that . . .
Small (smaller than TO) town Ontario Take Note.
1) F the rules and you will get zippo in Fed money.
2) If TO f's the rules it gets rewarded.
(Baird was right on this one...but as usual he needs to expresses himself better.)
3) Don't you know that David Miller makes the f.....g rules.
4) TO residents pay the LOWEST residential taxes in the province and yet they (at the center of the universe are entitled to whine about everything.
funny how a non-story resulted in over a dozen comments on this blog ;)
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