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UPDATED - Helena Guergis's Adventures on Prince Edward Island
- February 25, 2010 4:23 PM |
- By Kady O'Malley
(Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
Oh, minister. What would Anne of Green Gables Do? Well, for one thing, she probably wouldn't refer to Prince Edward Island -- or possibly just the Charlottetown Airport, it's not entirely clear -- as a "hell-hole," as alleged in the following unsigned letter, which was sent to Liberal MP Wayne Easter earlier today, and has been making the rounds of Ottawa newsrooms all afternoon:
Note: Out of respect for the privacy of the employees named in this letter, we've decided to redact their personal information.
For her part, the minister has issued a far less colourful apology, which does seem to confirm that there was some sort of unpleasantness during her visit to the Island:
For her part, the minister has issued a far less colourful apology, which does seem to confirm that there was some sort of unpleasantness during her visit to the Island:
"On February 19, I was rushing to catch a flight at the Charlottetown Airport and spoke emotionally to some staff members. Regardless of my workload and personal circumstances, it was not appropriate and I apologize to airport and Air Canada staff.
"It was certainly not my intention to create any additional stress for airport or Air Canada employees who already have a very difficult job. "My father was born in Summerside and many of my relatives still live on the Island, which I love and visit almost every year. To me, it is a very special place that demonstrates the best Canada has to offer. I wish to express my appreciation to all the hard-working people who make it so welcoming."
UPDATE: According to the Inside Ottawa Directory, the minister's birthday is, indeed, February 19th, 2010, which does lend a certain note of authenticity to the anonymous account.
"It was certainly not my intention to create any additional stress for airport or Air Canada employees who already have a very difficult job. "My father was born in Summerside and many of my relatives still live on the Island, which I love and visit almost every year. To me, it is a very special place that demonstrates the best Canada has to offer. I wish to express my appreciation to all the hard-working people who make it so welcoming."
UPDATE: According to the Inside Ottawa Directory, the minister's birthday is, indeed, February 19th, 2010, which does lend a certain note of authenticity to the anonymous account.
Tags: blackberry jungle, helena guergis
About the Author
- Kady O'Malley has been covering the Hill for more than a decade (yes, really) for a variety of publications. An Ottawa girl (not quite born, but raised), she has a passion for politics that borders on the unhealthy, and has liveblogged her way through hundreds of committee meetings, press conferences, judicial inquiries, budget launches, cabinet shuffles, and even the odd constitutional crisis. Oh, and yes, her Boston Terrier really is named "BlackBerry."
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