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Federal minister apologizes for joke he's not sure he told

Last Updated: Thursday, February 21, 2008 | 7:11 AM NT

CBC News

Federal Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn has apologized for a joke he's not sure he made, responding to a complaint from a politician who didn't hear it.

Joan Burke, Newfoundland and Labrador's education minister, demanded Hearn apologize Wednesday for telling what she called a sexist joke at a weekend Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador convention.

Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn: 'I have never, ever in my life intentionally said anything that would offend anybody.'
(CBC)

However, Burke did not attend Hearn's speech in Gander, and would not repeat what Hearn supposedly had said.

Nonetheless, Hearn said Wednesday he is sorry if anyone took offence during his speech, which he said contained about 15 jokes.

Hearn said no one seemed offended at the event, and he can't think which of the jokes might have offended anyone.

"I have never, ever in my life intentionally said anything that would offend anybody, and if I did on the weekend, I sincerely apologize because it's not what I do, or how I do it," Hearn said.

Relations between Hearn and Newfoundland and Labrador's governing Progressive Conservatives have been especially rocky since late December, when Hearn said he had "eyes and ears" near Premier Danny Williams.

Over the last week, Williams and several of his ministers have sharply criticized Hearn for re-announcing federal spending commitments.

This story is now closed to commenting.

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