Keith Ashfield samples baked goods, speculates on future matrimonial qualities
By Aaron Wherry - Monday, March 25, 2013 - 0 Comments
On Friday, Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield staged a photo op in Fredericton.
In Fredericton, MP and federal Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield, invited the media to a staged family conversation about the budget with Roland and Gina Moreno and their two daughters.
It was an opportunity to highlight the government’s emphasis on training young people for jobs the economy needs, but things went awkwardly off-script at the start as Ashfield sampled baked goods and chatted with eldest daughter Grace Moreno, a local high school student leader. “Grace, you’re a great cook,” Ashfield said. “You’re going to make a wonderful wife for somebody.”
This afternoon in QP, Megan Leslie—who seemed to tweet a reference to Mr. Ashfield’s remarks this weekend—asked the minister to account for his comments.
Megan Leslie: Monsieur le Président, vendredi dernier, le ministre des Pêches et des Océans a affirmé, et je cite: « Grace, vous êtes une excellente cuisinière. Vous allez faire une merveilleuse épouse. » Le ministre des Pêches et des Océans peut-il confirmer ces propos tenus dans le cadre de la promotion du budget?
Keith Ashfield: Mr. Speaker, I am glad the member opposite is following the newscast and our talk about the federal budget. It was indeed a great day to promote our budget on Friday. We had significant interest in it.
Megan Leslie: Mr. Speaker, leave it to the Conservatives to encourage young women to get married as part of their economic action plan. When the member said, “Grace, you’re a great cook. You’re going to make a wonderful wife for somebody”, his comments were disrespectful. In other words, it is like saying: there, there, stop planning for your future. Is this the kind of response that women can expect from the Conservatives with their economic action plan?
Keith Ashfield: Mr. Speaker, obviously the opposition members have little fault to find in our budget if this is the only type of question they can ask in this House.
Update 5:28pm. A statement from Mr. Ashfield.
“I would like to thank the Moreno family for taking the time to discuss Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2013. The family’s insightful comments and feedback are valuable to me and our Government as we continue to build a strong and prosperous nation.
“My comments to Grace Moreno have been taken out of context and were simply meant to compliment her on her genuine hospitality.
“Ms. Moreno is a gifted and active young member of her high school and our greater community. And she has a great future ahead of her.
“I am proud of our youth and I appreciate the contributions that she and other youth continue to make to our community and country.”
Update 11:24am. Via Facebook, a comment from Grace Moreno.
In regards to what Honourable Keith Ashfield said, I feel that it was a compliment. On the day that he visited, our family welcomed him as our guest and treated him with Filipino hospitality. I personally made him a FIlipino bread called “Ensaymada” (a delicacy that my mother taught me to make). He complimented me on the bread, and I appreciated the thanks. I was not offended whatsoever and it is unfair that the Minister’s comment was taken out of context.
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Why isn’t the fall economic update delivered to the House?
By Aaron Wherry - Monday, November 12, 2012 at 5:22 PM - 0 Comments
Jim Flaherty will apparently deliver his fall economic update to a luncheon crowd in Fredericton tomorrow. Last year, he delivered the update in Calgary. Two years ago, he presented it in Mississauga. Three years ago, he presented in it Victoria.
It will now be four years since Mr. Flaherty delivered his fall economic update to the House. You might remember that economic update as the one that nearly brought about the defeat of the Conservative government.
A year ago, Joe Comartin said that presenting the economic update outside the House “demeans the role of Parliament and parliamentarians.”
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Add five more to the list
By Aaron Wherry - Monday, March 5, 2012 at 9:30 AM - 0 Comments
New reports of suspicious polling-station calls in West Nova, Saint Boniface, Saint John, Fredericton and Calgary Centre.
Added to these and these and these, that makes 35 ridings with such reports.
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Delivery men in blue
By Alex Ballingall - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 8:20 AM - 0 Comments
When a cop pulls up behind you on the side of the road, what…
When a cop pulls up behind you on the side of the road, what do you typically expect to happen? At best, a gentle warning; at worst, some time in the slammer. In Fredericton, it appears you may be treated to a free pizza courtesy of the local Pizza Hut—if you’re following the rules.The Fredericton Police Force launched an initiative last week giving free pizzas to drivers who choose to pull over when fiddling with their cellphones. Police take their licence plate numbers so they can mail drivers coupons for a free, medium, three-topping pizza from Pizza Hut. Drivers’ names will also be entered in a draw for a Bluetooth headset.
“Our officers are really excited about it,” Const. Rick Mooney of the Fredericton Police Force tells Maclean’s. “I think it will create dialogue around the issue.” The issue is distracted driving, which Mooney blames for 80 per cent of vehicle collisions. On June 6, New Brunswick enacted a new law stipulating a fine of $172.50 for those caught texting and using their phones without headsets while driving. Ever since, Mooney says, police have noticed a number of people pulling to the side of the road to use their phones. The free pizzas, he says, are meant to reward the public and encourage more discussion about distracted driving. “Why not try something different and actually put a thank you out there and tell people we appreciate that?” Mooney says. “Hopefully we’ll see some good results.”
And if they do, what’s next—candy canes for sober drivers at Christmas?
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Only strip club in Fredericton set to close
By macleans.ca - Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 1:15 PM - 1 Comment
City agrees to buy out the North Star Sports Bar
Fredericton city council has voted to buy out the New Brunswick capital’s only strip club and shut it down. It’s still unclear what the city plans to do with the North Star Sports Bar, however councillors are adamant they can find a better use for the pub, whose neighbours include a gas station, church, liquor store, shopping plaza and new high-end condominium developments. The purchase is expected to cost the city $500,000.
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A few more for the list
By Aaron Wherry - Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 9:25 PM - 0 Comments
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is disturbed. The mayor of Fredericton is stumped. Peterborough’s medical officer of health is concerned.
The Chinese Canadian National Council, meanwhile, endorses the National Statistics Council’s proposal.
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The tally
By Aaron Wherry - Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 1:55 PM - 208 Comments
With 51 precincts reporting specific estimates—restricting the count to media-reported figures and, where available, police counts—it’s possible to account for approximately 21,000 anti-prorogation protestors at yesterday’s rallies. Continue…
