PM won't stop candidacy of former N.L. cabinet minister
Last Updated: Monday, December 5, 2005 | 7:50 PM ET
CBC News
Art Reid, who is competing for the Liberal nomination in Avalon riding, lost his job as the province's municipal affairs minister over a sexist remark aimed at a political rival.
"The best place for her is back in the kitchen, probably, where she came from," Reid said in a Dec. 8, 1998 exchange at the house of assembly while arguing with Tory politician Sheila Osborne.
Reid apologized for the remarks, but a week later, then-premier Brian Tobin fired him from his cabinet post after St. John's Mayor Andy Wells revealed Reid had made another sexist remark during a conversation.
Campaigning in St. John's on Monday, Martin said he did not like the "back in the kitchen" remarks, but stopped short of stopping Reid from carrying the party's banner in Avalon.
"I certainly do not condone those kinds of statements. And they are not part of Liberalism," Martin said.
Martin would not say whether he would refuse to sign Reid's nomination papers should he win a three-way race for the Liberal nomination in Avalon.
Martin appeared to leave that decision to Liberal members in Avalon.
"The Liberal party has a convention. There is a process to be followed," Martin said.
Party members in Avalon will choose their candidate Tuesday night.
Reid is competing for the Liberal nomination in the Jan. 23 election campaign along with Bern Hickey, the deputy mayor of Avondale, and Bill Morrow, a Bay Roberts lawyer.
The riding is currently held by federal cabinet representative John Efford, who is retiring in part because of his battle with diabetes.
