John Williamson apologizes for ‘offensive’ comment on temporary workers program

Bit surprising that a former PMO director of Comms would make such a faux pas but to his credit, he made a quick and full apology (not the usual mealy mouthed “to those who I may have offended”):

Media outlet iPolitics is reporting that New Brunswick MP John Williamson told delegates at a conference in Ottawa that it makes no sense to pay “whities” to stay home while companies bring in “brown people” as temporary foreign workers.

Williamson posted a series of tweets Saturday to apologize for language he used in reference to the controversial federal program, but he did not elaborate on what he said.

“Today I used offensive and inappropriate language regarding the Temporary Foreign Workers Program,” he wrote on Twitter.

“For this I apologize unreservedly.”

In terms of the substance, of course, he is right: it makes no sense to facilitate Temporary Foreign Workers in a province with high levels of unemployment.

John Williamson apologizes for ‘offensive’ comment on temporary workers program – CBC News – Latest Canada, World, Entertainment and Business News.

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Andrew blogs and tweets public policy issues, particularly the relationship between the political and bureaucratic levels, citizenship and multiculturalism. His latest book, Policy Arrogance or Innocent Bias, recounts his experience as a senior public servant in this area.

One Response to John Williamson apologizes for ‘offensive’ comment on temporary workers program

  1. Pingback: National Muslim group warns C-51 posturing ‘giving fodder to extremists’ | Multicultural Meanderings

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