St. John's Mayor Dennis O'Keefe: 'It mystified me that a national leader would actually start off in this way.' (CBC)

The mayor of St. John's is upset that federal Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff is skipping Newfoundland and Labrador as he embarks on a cross-country tour for public meetings with Canadians.

Ignatieff kicked off his so-called listening tour in Halifax last week.

Mayor Dennis O'Keefe said Ignatieff's itinerary is enough to make his blood boil.

"It was appalling," O'Keefe told CBC News.

"It mystified me that a national leader would actually start off in this way ... It sends a very, very poor message. It's a very touchy subject for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians because it has happened so often in the past," said O'Keefe, referring to various programs and tours that purport to be national, but exclude Canada's most easterly province.

Paul Antle, a high-profile Liberal in St. John's who was Ignatieff's campaign organizer in Newfoundland and Labrador, noted that Ignatieff had been in St. John's in early December.

More to the point, Antle said, there was miscommunication about the cross-Canada tour, and Canadians should know Ignatieff will be visiting other provinces later this winter.

"The first phase of the tour were the cities of Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver," Antle told CBC News.

"The second phase of the tour, which will begin in February, will include Newfoundland and Labrador and some of the other provinces that haven't yet been visited."

Antle said the timing of Ignatieff's next leg may depend on what happens after the federal budget is brought down Jan. 27.

O'Keefe, meanwhile, said he has been promised a meeting with Ignatieff. He said he is anxious to talk about the cleanup of St. John's harbour, the Canada Border Services Agency and important infrastructure issues.