MLA apologizes for making offensive comment about female member
Chisholm's comment came while he was objecting to 'inappropriate' language
Last Updated: Thursday, May 8, 2008 | 10:41 AM CT
CBC News
Saskatchewan MLA Mike Chisholm resigned as a legislative secretary on Thursday. (CBC)A Saskatchewan Party MLA has apologized and resigned as a legislative secretary after referring to an NDP member as a "dumb bitch."
Mike Chisholm, the MLA for Cut Knife-Turtleford, made the comment Monday in a legislative committee in reference to New Democrat Deb Higgins, who represents Moose Jaw Wakamow.
The comment came just after Chisholm complained about language used by an NDP MLA.
On Thursday, Chisholm told the legislature he had submitted his resignation as legislative secretary to Premier Brad Wall, and Wall accepted it.
Deb Higgins said she was deeply offended by Mike Chisholm's comment. (CBC)"I have no excuse," he said. "I was wrong and it shouldn't have been thought or said."
Chisholm will retain his seat and remain in the government caucus.
Earlier in the day, before Chisholm announced his resignation, Higgins told reporters she was deeply offended by his comment.
According to the Hansard parliamentary transcription service, Chisholm made the comment in the intergovernmental affairs and justice committee, of which Higgins is the deputy chair.
His remarks followed that of New Democrat MLA Trent Wotherspoon, who said, among other things, "I can tell you right now, you don't look that energetic."
"Mr. Chair, those last comments were completely inappropriate for this committee and I understand they should be withdrawn," Chisholm replied a few seconds later.
After someone said something Hansard said was inaudible, Chisholm continued: "You're calling somebody lazy and you think that's OK? Maybe we have to look at Hansard on that one, too, Deb, dumb bitch."
Comment was 'personal,' Higgins says
It's not the kind of language one expects at the Saskatchewan legislature, Higgins said.
"When you come to the legislature, you always tell yourself, it's not personal. That was personal and, in a roundabout way, directed at all women," she said.
During his apology, Chisholm made a reference to Wall's recent call to MLAs to be more careful about using insulting language.
That followed after a 17-year-old videotape of Wall surfaced showing him at a social gathering making jokes in a Ukrainian accent.
