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Scott Reid, prime minister's director of communications, appearing on Canada AM in this file photo.
Senior Grit staffer apologizes for 'beer' gaffeUpdated Sun. Dec. 11 2005 8:15 PM ET 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 to increase the numbers of publicly-run daycare spaces. Critics of the Liberal plan say it doesn't help stay-at-home parents. NDP Leader Jack Layton is expected to announce his party's childcare policy on Monday. Other election news NDP Leader Jack Layton signed the Workers' Bill of Rights in Ottawa on Sunday. The document supports the right of employees to join unions. Layton is the first party leader to back the bill. New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord told CTV's Question Period he's tired of the Liberal claim that only they can save Canada from the threat of Quebec separatism. He said framing this campaign as a referendum election is dangerous because of the Bloc Quebecois' apparent strength. In a visit to Gatineau, Que., Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe complained the Quebec side of the National Capital Region doesn't get its share of the jobs. "Same thing with research centres. There's 31 in the federal capital area and only one on this side of the river," he said. Duceppe said his party hopes to win three seats away from the Liberals in the region. In Edmonton, Green Party Leader Jim Harris said more than 12,000 people have signed his party's online petition calling for him to be included in the televised leaders' debates set for later this week. He also attacked Alberta Premier Ralph Klein on the issue of private health care. "What we're concerned about is the privatization of our health-care system," Harris said. "The privatization of long-term care for elderly is resulting in lower standards, or standards not being met for our senior citizens. "Alberta is one of a growing number of provinces that use subcontractors for long-term care of seniors. That is something we in the Green party believe will only increase the cost of services while actually limiting access to those who are most in need."
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CTV.ca Special
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