Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, must apologize for the using the racist term “tar baby” in the House of Commons, Liberal MP Marlene Jennings said today.
Reading from a prepared text in response to a Conservative question during Question Period, Mr. Poilievre said twice that Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff “wants a paternity test to prove the tar baby was never his.”
Following Question Period, Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale asked Mr. Poilievre to withdraw and apologize for his statement. Mr. Poilievre refused to withdraw the statement.
“As a Black child growing up, I was called all sorts of pejorative names based on the colour of my skin, including the ‘n-word’ and ‘tar baby’ – and believe me, it was hurtful,” said Ms. Jennings. “I am offended by Mr. Poilievre’s insensitive remarks – and I know leaders in the Black community across Canada feel the same way.”
In separate, well-publicized incidents, prominent American Republican politicians John McCain and Mitt Romney have apologized for using the phrase “tar baby,” even though they weren’t referring to a particular person. The Oxford English dictionary defines “tar baby” as a “derogatory term used for a black or a Maori.”
“This isn’t the first time Stephen Harper’s hand-picked Parliamentary Secretary has made inflammatory remarks and displayed unparliamentary behavior,” said Ms. Jennings. “This pattern doesn’t reflect well on the Prime Minister and his government.”
Mr. Poilievre has drawn criticism for making rude hand gestures and using foul language in the House of Commons and parliamentary committees.
“Mr. Poilievre did the right thing the last time around by apologizing to the House of Commons for insulting Aboriginal Canadians,” said Ms. Jennings. “I hoped that as a young, well educated Canadian, he’d learned his lesson.”
Hours before the government’s official apology for the Indian residential school tragedy, Mr. Poilievre derided the residential schools compensation package, asking if “we are really getting value for all this money.”
