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Hyer responds to Green Party leader's controversial press gallery dinner speech

THUNDER BAY – Bruce Hyer says Green Party Leader Elizabeth May’s controversial and shocking comments at the press gallery dinner were “unfortunate” but he will continue to stand with his party’s leader.
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Green Party deputy leader Bruce Hyer says leader Elizabeth May's comments at the Parliamentary Press Gallery dinner are regretful but she still has his support. (Matt Vis, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY – Bruce Hyer says Green Party Leader Elizabeth May’s controversial and shocking comments at the press gallery dinner were “unfortunate” but he will continue to stand with his party’s leader.

May’s bizarre, rambling speech at the annual Parliamentary Press Gallery dinner in Ottawa on Saturday has garnered headlines across Canada, especially for declaring convicted terrorist Omar Khadr, who was recently released on bail, to have “more class than the whole f***ing cabinet.”

Hyer, the Green Party deputy leader and Thunder Bay-Superior North MP, said she should not have stepped up to the microphone.

“It’s very clear combining long flights, no sleep, flu, cold medicine, wine and a speech is not a good idea,” he said on Tuesday. “In retrospect, I wish she had chosen to say ‘I’m too tired for this tonight’ and had been more firm about that.”

Since the speech, May has apologized and called the comments and her use of language a failed attempt at comedy.

Hyer, who did not attend the event, said the dinner is usually off the record and an opportunity for politicians to interact with members of the media in a more informal manner than they are accustomed.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau told those in attendance to “fuddle duddle” themselves, paying homage to his father and former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s infamous House of Commons scandal.

It’s fair to say May’s speech crossed a line.

“Her comments at the press gallery fun dinner were not fun and were unfortunate. I think she regrets them, we all regret them,” Hyer said.

Despite the national uproar, he supports his leader.

“I’m proud to work with Elizabeth,” Hyer said.

“She speaks her mind and she speaks her heart, unlike most politicians she doesn’t spin. She tells the truth. Unfortunately this time it wasn’t appropriate to be partisan and use that kind of language. She has apologized and I’m glad she has.”





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