Senior Grit staffer apologizes for 'beer' gaffe
CTV.ca News Staff
A senior Liberal staffer uttered his party's first major gaffe of the campaign.
In a television interview Sunday, Scott Reid, Prime Minister Paul Martin's director of communications, criticized the Conservative Party's plan to give parents $1,200 per year for each child under six.
Reid said in part: "Don't give people $25 a day to blow on beer and popcorn."
Later, on CTV's Question Period, Liberal spokesman John Duffy said he stood behind Reid's statement, saying, with the Conservative plan, "there is nothing to stop people from spending it on beer or popcorn or a coat or a car, anything."
Reid later sent an email to reporters apologizing for his remarks. "It was a dumb way to make my point and I apologize because obviously, no responsible parent would make that choice. The point remains that Mr. Harper offers a tax cut, not a child care plan."
He said the context of his remarks were that they occurred during a spirited conversation and that the full remarks were: "We are not trying to take people's time away from their grandparents but working families need care. They need care that is regulated, safe and secure and that's what we're building here. Don't give people $25 a day to blow on beer and popcorn. Give them child care spaces that work."
In a news release, the Conservatives asked: "Does Paul Martin also stand by the views of his senior-most campaign officials -- that parents would choose 'beer and popcorn' over quality care for their children?"
When questioned by reporters during a winery tour in Beamsville, Ont., Martin said, "Scott's already apologized, but what the Conservatives are saying is we'll cut you a cheque."
He went on to say: "There's no doubt in my mind that parents are going to use it for the benefit of their families. They're going to use that money in a way that I'm sure is responsible. Let there be no doubt about that.''
The Liberal childcare plan calls for deals with the provinces (apparently just like the hand gun deal)to increase the numbers of publicly-run daycare spaces.
Critics of the Liberal plan say it doesn't help stay-at-home parents.
CTV.ca News Staff
A senior Liberal staffer uttered his party's first major gaffe of the campaign.
In a television interview Sunday, Scott Reid, Prime Minister Paul Martin's director of communications, criticized the Conservative Party's plan to give parents $1,200 per year for each child under six.
Reid said in part: "Don't give people $25 a day to blow on beer and popcorn."
Later, on CTV's Question Period, Liberal spokesman John Duffy said he stood behind Reid's statement, saying, with the Conservative plan, "there is nothing to stop people from spending it on beer or popcorn or a coat or a car, anything."
Reid later sent an email to reporters apologizing for his remarks. "It was a dumb way to make my point and I apologize because obviously, no responsible parent would make that choice. The point remains that Mr. Harper offers a tax cut, not a child care plan."
He said the context of his remarks were that they occurred during a spirited conversation and that the full remarks were: "We are not trying to take people's time away from their grandparents but working families need care. They need care that is regulated, safe and secure and that's what we're building here. Don't give people $25 a day to blow on beer and popcorn. Give them child care spaces that work."
In a news release, the Conservatives asked: "Does Paul Martin also stand by the views of his senior-most campaign officials -- that parents would choose 'beer and popcorn' over quality care for their children?"
When questioned by reporters during a winery tour in Beamsville, Ont., Martin said, "Scott's already apologized, but what the Conservatives are saying is we'll cut you a cheque."
He went on to say: "There's no doubt in my mind that parents are going to use it for the benefit of their families. They're going to use that money in a way that I'm sure is responsible. Let there be no doubt about that.''
The Liberal childcare plan calls for deals with the provinces (apparently just like the hand gun deal)to increase the numbers of publicly-run daycare spaces.
Critics of the Liberal plan say it doesn't help stay-at-home parents.
