Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Thursday defended his Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, who has been facing growing pressure to resign after making jokes about deaths linked with a nationwide listeria outbreak.
The outbreak at a Toronto meat processing plant has resulted in 17 deaths, leading to one of Canada's biggest food safety incidents.
According to local media reports, During a conference call with other officials to discuss the issue late last month, Ritz had quipped "This is like a death by a thousand cuts. Or should I say cold cuts."
Ritz also said he hoped the Prince Edward Island victim of a deadly listeriosis outbreak was Liberal agriculture critic Wayne Easter.
Ritz has since apologized both to the public and personally to Easter. "I want to offer my most humble and heartfelt regrets to the families of those affected by this tragedy. I did not intend to add to their suffering and I very deeply apologize for that," he said in a statement on Wednesday night.
But his remarks still drew fire from opposition parties, who have been demanding him to resign. On Thursday, Liberal leader Stephane Dion said Harper had no choice but to take "responsibility" and fire Ritz.
On Thursday, Harper said Ritz recognized the comments were "completely insensitive and unacceptable."
However, he said Ritz was under a lot of stress at the time and the comments are not indicative of his performance as a minister.
"I think this story is obviously very embarrassing for him, very unfortunate. But it shouldn't detract from the good work thathe has done to get on top and to understand this matter, to improve the system and to communicate publicly with Canadians and to make sure government officials are all doing their jobs," Harper said.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said Ritz expressed his regret to Stephen Harper on Wednesday, but there wasno suggestion of his resignation.
"A resignation was not offered, nor was one asked for," PMO spokesperson Kory Teneycke said.
Source:Xinhua
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