Ontario premier asks US envoy to apologise for profane rant
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Ontario Premier Doug Ford called on the US envoy to say he’s sorry for cursing in public.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MONTREAL – Ontario Premier Doug Ford called on US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra to say he’s sorry for cursing in public at the Canadian province’s trade representative over a television ad that riled up US President Donald Trump.
“Pete, you’ve got to call Dave up and apologise,” Mr Ford said during a news conference, referring to Mr David Paterson, Ontario’s representative in Washington. “Just call the guy up and bury the hatchet.”
Mr Hoekstra insulted and swore at Mr Paterson during an event in Ottawa on Oct 27, according to several Canadian media reports.
Mr Trump was upset that the Ontario government commissioned a 60-second ad containing excerpts from a 1987 speech by Ronald Reagan that argued against tariffs.
The president cut off trade discussions with Canada
Mr Hoekstra then showed up at an event sponsored by the Canadian American Business Council and unloaded on Mr Paterson, according to the reports.
“The cheese slipped off the cracker, I get it. You’re ticked off,” Mr Ford said of Mr Hoekstra. “You’re a good guy and Dave’s my champion.”
Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, paused the controversial ad after running it on Oct 24 and Oct 25 during US broadcasts of Major League Baseball’s World Series.
The premier again defended the commercial on Oct 29.
“What do they expect me to do? Sit back and roll over like every other person in the world? I’m going to fight like I’ve never fought before,” Mr Ford said, adding that his goal was to protect the people of his province and educate Americans about the risks of tariffs.
“Man, was it the right thing to do. It started a conversation like I’ve never seen before.”
Mr Ford said he won’t call Mr Hoekstra himself, but acknowledged they have a friendly bet over the outcome of baseball’s championship series.
The Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers have each won two games, with the fifth game being played on the night of Oct 29.
Mr Paterson declined to comment. The US embassy in Ottawa did not respond to a request for comment. BLOOMBERG
