Liberal MP apologizes for calling witnesses on language committee 'full of s---'
Franco-Ontarian MP Francis Drouin apologized on Thursday for referring to witnesses three days earlier as 'extremists' and 'full of s---.'
"Any witness who comes before this committee should feel free to have a conversation in a respectful environment. I didn't do that on Monday, so I apologize again to Mr. Bourdon and Mr. Lacroix," said Drouin at a meeting of the standing committee on official languages.
At the previous meeting on Monday, the MP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell took exception to comments made by researcher Frédéric Lacroix and CEGEP professor Nicolas Bourdon.
The two witnesses had explained, based on Statistics Canada data, that when a francophone or allophone attends an English-language university or CEGEP, this significantly increases the probability that he or she will go on to live his or her life in English.
They had been invited to share views with parliamentarians as part of a study into financing English-language post-secondary institutions in Quebec and French-language institutions elsewhere in the country.
- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on May 9, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
'Lots of love, darling': Hundreds of love letters dating back to 1920s up for sale
Hundreds of love letters from decades past are up for grabs, offering a peek into days when pen and ink were conveyors of connection when miles apart.
'It feels like freedom': Why some Albertans like going nude in nature
Few people can say they accidentally purchased a nude beach — but Shelley can. When she saw a piece of land she could fondly remember camping on was up for sale, she inquired about it and ended up purchasing it. She soon found that there were already inhabitants on it.
Five things to know about the NHL playoffs
The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers are both one win away from advancing to the Stanley Cup final.
Is intermittent fasting better than counting calories? Maybe not, but you might stick with it
As weight-loss plans go, it's easy to see the allure of intermittent fasting: Eat what you want, but only during certain windows of time — often just eight hours a day.
Daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt files court petition to remove father's last name
A daughter of actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt filed paperwork to legally remove "Pitt" from her name on the day she turned 18.
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months
Tick season is underway in Ontario. Here's how to protect yourself
Tick season is well underway and there is a new species of ticks causing new diseases, which is why you need to take steps to protect yourself.
Two celestial shows will be visible across Canada this week
Canada is getting not one – but two – celestial shows over the next few days. Keep an eye on the sky for the northern lights and parade of planets!