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Home : Top Stories : Baird says he's apologized for f-word outburst

Baird says he's apologized for f-word outburst

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CTV News Video

CTV Toronto: John Musselman on the trash-talk
Question period: Liberal MP Robert Oliphant probes Baird about the profane comments
CTV News Channel: Jane Taber, CTV's Question Period, on the ongoing controversy
CTV News Channel: Ontario MP Gerard Kennedy, Liberal infrastructure critic, on Baird's comments
CTV News Channel: Kory Teneycke, Prime Minister's spokesperson, on the comments by Baird and Raitt

Watch: See all Videos in the Player

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Tue. Jun. 9 2009 3:14 PM ET

Transport Minister John Baird said Tuesday he was "speaking out of frustration" when he used a vulgar expression in talking about Toronto's application for light-rapid-transit car funding.

"This morning I phoned Mayor (David) Miller and apologized," he told the House of Commons during question period.

"The mayor and I both agreed let's look to the future.  Let's continue to build on the important investments we need to make in public transit ... and we committed to work with them over the next few weeks to make it happen."

Baird uttered the expletive casually on Monday after he mistakenly walked into a media room at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention in Whistler, B.C.

Baird told his aides that Toronto's application for federal infrastructure funds was the only one out of 2,700 applicants that didn't meet the eligibility criteria.

A reporter overheard him saying Toronto shouldn't complain about not getting the funds fast enough.

"Twenty-seven hundred people got it right. They didn't. That is not a partnership and they're bitching at us," Baird was heard saying.

"They should f--- off."

The minister acknowledged his comments after he was confronted by the reporter. He said he didn't realize he had walked into a media room and made the comments privately.

Liberal MP Rob Oliphant, who represents Toronto's Don Valley West riding, said during question period that "a vulgar attack on the people of Toronto is unacceptable, in public or in private, by a minister of the Crown."

Baird noted the federal government has already committed more than a billion dollars to help develop public transit in Toronto and added another $250 million to improve GO Transit. It has also agreed to help refurbish Union Station.

"This government is making an unprecedented commitment to public transit in Toronto, and the best yet to come," Baird said.

Toronto's application

Kory Teneycke, spokesperson for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, told CTV News Channel that Baird's outburst is not an indication of Ottawa's feelings towards the city. 

"One of the challenges with infrastructure funding is you have to get multiple levels of governments to agree on priorities," he said in an interview from Ottawa. "It's not surprising that there are moments of frustration as that process takes place."

Toronto Mayor David Miller confirmed that he received an apology from Baird.

Miller told reporters that Toronto has one priority and that's to build Transit City -- an ambitious plan that will see the creation of eight new transit lines.

Toronto submitted one application for money to replace its aging streetcars. Other municipalities submitted requests for bridge and road repairs and upgrades to the sewage system.

"You can't build a transit system without having the cars," Miller told reporters outside city hall. "That's the point of this contract and I'm confident we'll find a solution. It's too important not to."

Baird says that Toronto's application doesn't focus on job creation in the next two years but Miller said people need a reliable transit system to get work.

"Building public transit transforms the city," Miller told reporters Tuesday morning. "It builds thousands and thousands and thousands of jobs. People need jobs."

The city wants to buy 204 next-generation streetcars from Bombardier at a cost of $1.2 billion. To make that happen, it must secure funding from the federal and provincial governments by June 27.

With a report from CTV Toronto's John Musselman and files from The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

tinTO
said
0 0

They just can't stop digging that hole they been shoveling in the past two weeks.


Subby in ON
said
0 0

Yet another winner in cabinet!

Sure, every party is full of these same windbags, but most are savvy enough to keep their mouths shut at the right time.








Sandy Eh (Calgary)
said
0 0

Well, he's definitely not the first person to say that about Toronto ;o)


Terry in Ottawa
said
0 0

If you could build a fence around Toronto and Montreal, Canada would be much better country.


Steve in Manotick
said
0 0

Just another example of the conservative arrogance.

Bring on the election I can't wait!


Frank from Toronto
said
0 0

On the flipside, I would think that this is pretty embarrassing for Toronto considering that we were the only 1 of 2700 applications that got it wrong. One would expect that an application of this importance would be properly and correctly drafted by the well paid staff of the City of Toronto


george byward
said
0 0

Although this is an inappropriate comment by the Minister, there are millions of Canadians that can relate to the sentiment towards Toronto.


kjo
said
0 0

Yes, but everyone knows that Toronto is the CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSE and expects to always get what it wants.


Dave - Ontario
said
0 0

Canadians need to make a positive change and not re-elect these people. I speak as a now former Conservative.
Make a change like Nova Scotia will do today.


Jake former resident of Ontario
said
0 0

I agree with John Baird's comment.

Toronto voted in a bunch of incompetent socialists and now they cannot even correctly complete an application form. Ha!


zwinky
said
0 0

It's no secret that Baird hates the government of his home province of Ontario and every left-leaning politician there because of the political failures of his old party, the Ontario Progressive Conservatives in recent years.

Unfortunately, he appears to be letting his personal vendetta get in the way of helping the citizen's of Toronto access their own tax dollars for help during this critical time.

Time to grow beyond your personal peeves Mr. Minister or get out of the way and allow someone who can be impartial to handle this portfolio.


wreck76
said
0 0

I agree with him. Toronto should f--- off. I am so very tired of listening to miller whine that he is not getting enough money from the fed's or the province only to turn around and waste it once he does get any. at this point, I would love to see the provincials and fed's step in, dismiss the entire city council and appoint a minister for Toronto. Once that person gets the city running right again, then they can have another election. maybe they'll pick someone competent to run the place this time (but probably not).


Alan in Kitchener
said
0 0

I've been saying that about Toronto for years...


Bob from St, Catharines
said
0 0

Maybe he just spoke the truth!


pasha
said
0 0

Until any politician enters the door to his own home - anything he says is public information and if he can't find his way into the right room perhaps Mr. Baird should learn how to read and how to behave in public. I don't care how the PMO wants to sugar coat this - the point is he was rude and this is nothing new for the Harrisites in Harper's cabinet. Harper should clean house before he thinks about another election - it will mean less to move when he loses his current residence.


Avi Ickovich
said
0 0

We should have one other major criterion for transportation-based funding for cities: Densification. We need better integration of mass transit and urban planning. We need to tailor housing and commercial forms towards mid-to-high density development. Urban sprawl includes increased personal expense, wasted time for individuals, as well as substantial negative impact on the natural environment.

A proposal that will also encourage densification is to amend the respective current Provincial Property Purchase Tax regimes across Canada to stimulate the construction of high density housing. Each province in Canada has the equivalent of such a tax ranging up to two percent (with the exception of Alberta and parts of Saskatchewan). Each province has certain exemptions that include first time home purchase. I am therefore proposing the additional exemptions and/or reductions based on density and the promotion of public transit usage:

„« Within 1 km from RapidBus or Rapid Transit Line: 0.25% of the first $200,000 and 0.25% of the balance of the value/purchase (this will enhance adherence to the required density along RapidBus and Rapid Transit Lines) or
„« Sliding scale (based on density )
o 1% of the first $200,000 and 2% of the balance of the value/purchase price (Low Density Interface)
o 0.5% of the first $200,000 and 0.5% of the balance of the value/purchase price (Medium Density Interface)
o 0.25% of the first $200,000 and 0.25% of the balance of the value/purchase price (High Density Interface)


Not only will such a concept encourage densification it will be more equitable. If we must tax, at least it should be equitable and perform some social or economic objective and not deter economic development. In fact, it is possible that the proposal will actually stimulate economic development as it spurs the construction of medium and high density residential housing. The proposal could provide further incentives for first time buyers: potential easier re-sale for high density and medium density housing.

Economic and environmental objectives are not mutually exclusive. Young growing families who want to upgrade into larger accommodations and need to raise the upfront money for the tax will now be better positioned to get into the market, while at the same time moving into environmentally friendly living (larger condominiums, row houses, brownstones, townhouses rather than single family dwellings). For instance, a 1% difference on a $400,000 townhouse is a $4,000 upfront cost to a young family.

It is also possible that in the long term the decrease in the rate will be more than offset by the density, such that this initiative may be a net generator of revenue to the respective provinces. More specifically, since economics deals with incremental changes, an avoided sale is still 2% of nothing rather than 1% of a lower housing cost multiplied by a larger volume of sales transactions.



Cambob
said
0 0

Why hasn't the opposition demanded this guy's resignation? He's obviously far to honest to be in government.


Steve G
said
0 0

Well, it looks more and more like the Cons are going to be told to "f--- off" come the next election.






James from Toronto
said
0 0

Call me naive, but I'm still surprised when I read or hear negative comments about Toronto or people from Toronto. As someone who has lived in Toronto most of my life, I don't think of myself as any better or worse than people from other parts of Canada.


Gary in TO
said
0 0

Oh, well - if he didn't realize he had walked into a media room, then of course he should be forgiven for making such a comment. Those media rooms can be such a nuisance, with their cameras and little microphones and nosy reporters.


I had thought that Baird was curbing himself
said
0 0

in the last year or two.

But he's back at his ranting.




If the Conservatives don't want Toronto votes
said
0 0

they're showing it.


johntario
said
0 0

burn baby burn hahaha the harper ship is severely damaged and on an imminent crash course with... look out... mr ignatief.... like his time outside canada or not hes way smarter, i see his absence as a postive... its called real world experience good luck mr harper. you used to be good at reigning in your mp's


Lynn, from Toronto
said
0 0

My, my, this government sure does have quite the potty-mouth.

First, Stephen Harper is has asked why doesn't anyone do anything unless he uses the f-bomb.

Then, Honorable CPC Members in the house are asked to refrain from using cursive language.

Now, Minister Baird decides a media room is an appropriate place to vent his "frustration".

So forgive me when I say that I think this cover-story is bull****.


George from the part of Canada that matters!
said
0 0

You know what, there's a lot of anti-Toronto sentiment on this messageboard, but seriously, let's be honest.

Toronto is the only city in the country that could be considered a truly global and world-class city, with Montreal and Vancouver a distant second. The idea of an urban apartheid that I've read by some posts is hysterical. At the end of the day, Toronto is still the economic engine of Canada, and without the Golden Horseshoe, Canada would be a third-rate Country that would have likely been pieced off the United States ages ago.


s taylor
said
0 0

to people agreeing with his sentiment, give it a rest. we don't think we are the centre of the universe! and, shock!, we want what is best for our city. that simple. we don't go around bashing where you are from, stop bashing where we live.


David
said
0 0

Baird is absolutely right in even saying it. Toronto deserves a slap!!


John (Fort Mac)
said
0 0

Hip Hip Hooray for John Baird.
We need more people like him who tells it as it is..


bruno
said
0 0

Then they wonder why they can't form a majority government. All they have to do is open their mouths.
e.g.

1. Harper and the arts

2. Harper and Atlantic
Canada's culture of
defeatism

3. Flaherty and investing in
ONT.

4. A Calgary MP saying that
immigrants are
responsible for most of
the crime.

5. Raitt and the tapes

6. Baird and T.O.

etc, etc, etc




Ottawa Herb
said
0 0

Such finesse and charisma. And I thought Brian Mulroney had a foul mouth. Rusty and Lisa need to be sent to the principal's office for a good talking down but at this rate Principal Harper may need to pack up and move on. Let's get this country back on track and give the boot to these inexperienced rookies. Dion has gracefully exited so let's bring on Mr. Ignatieff.


Darron in the UK
said
0 0

You need to remember that the Conservative party is really the reform party from western Canada. One of the reform party's slogans was "let the east freeze in the dark".

Just like the cream always rising to the top....The Conservatives will always fall to the bottom, then disband, again.


Dave
said
0 0

Another embarassing leader representing our nation...


John
said
0 0

Since when was it wrong to tell the truth in Canada?



Joe
said
0 0

He just said what the rest of the country is thinking.


dave
said
0 0

The truth hurts T.O. Good for baird for calling it as it is.


Chris from F--- off Toronto
said
0 0

I'm from Toronto and I just think it's funny. I know politicians are supposed to be quiet and reserved and have absolutely no personality, but who cares if they lash out every once in a while? Yes, the language is a bit colourful and something that NONE of us would EVER use *sarcasm*, but honestly at the end of the day, who really cares?




Brienna
said
0 0

Haha, sounds as if Toronto deserved it.


Elizabeth
said
0 0

Although Mr. Baird's comments were inappropriate, I wonder how many of those who are throwing stones have uttered an expletive when frustrated. Yeah, thought so.


Chantelle
said
0 0

Give it a rest, it's not like he's the only person on this planet who has ever dropped the f-bomb. Oh, he took Toronto's name in vain, that's why.


Paul - Orillia
said
0 0

Laugh my ass off!!
More jokes coming out of this governements gag bag.

What a joke,

Wake up Canada, look at the baffoons you voted in!!


George in Calgary
said
0 0

I think it is time that the media stops picking at the little things and blowing them out of proportion. If and only if the Toronto officials didn't get it right then maybe they should be using (and probably have) the "F" word too. So I agree with Frank from Toronto start looking at it from the pther point of view and wondering why so many got it right and they/he/she didn't. That's really the news here not the "F" word which in some parts of this country is every other word in a sentence. Lets concentrate on exactly who did not do their homework correctly in the first place then reconsider that the minister is trying to get the money out to worthy projects but due to the incompetence, yes incompetence (better fire that person), of some bureaucrat (yet unnamed) in the Toronto city hall his efforts are blocked. Would you be frustrated and yes would you utter some expletive? PROBABLY!!

So media people who is the incompetent bureaucrat/department in Toronto city hall who cannot fill out a form correctly. If I was in Toronto I would want to know and have this person(s) fired right now. Now folks see how silly all this is whether from Toronto the good or from Ottawa.


Kevin D - calgary
said
0 0

Big difference between Baird's comments and Raitt's. Bairds comes from being frustrated that Canada's largest city continuously screws up its application form while 2699 other cities/ towns/ villages get it right then Toronto has the gall to whine about the delays that they have caused themselves. Raitt's comments are about trying to improve her own political position. Huge difference, I think most Canadians can understand where Baird is coming from. I don't think most Canadians agree that making a name for yourself because of isotope shortages for the diagnostics of cancer in people is a good decision


John Alberta
said
0 0

Never would have gotten away with that in Sylvain Lake, Alberta! Their new potty mouth by-law would have dinged Baird $100.00 fine.


Kevin in T.O.
said
0 0

The Hon. John Baird is an excellent minister and his expletive was aimed at the administration in Toronto, not the city itself. Miller and his cronies do nothing but complain about the Feds even though money has already flowed. Just look around Toronto there is road, bridge and sidewalk construction everywhere. You think that is city money paying for this??


jay
said
0 0

Baird gets it right :) Although its a black eye politically he is correct!


Mike Stokes
said
0 0

Most of Canada thinks the same way. This Conservative government has funneled billions into Toronto Transit and they continue to look for more. How does buying street cars qualify as a job creating infrastructure project to Toronto? If he had said the same about Calgary City council he would get overwhelming support from Calgarians.


N T
said
0 0

It's about time someone tells them too! They get a lot more than most cities in this country and province get for infrastructure spending, so they should have been able to get the proposal right the first time. Quit whining and keep diggin (as tinTO said)


Laura
said
0 0

Yet another embarrassing example of our political fortitude. When will these people realize they are accountable for everything they say and do (in public or private).

Regardless of Mr. Bairds frustration, we cannot excuse our elected officials of irresponsible outbursts.

They are paid well to weather ideological differences and must be held accountable for any actions deemed by the voting public as unacceptable. If Mr. Baird (or any other politician) can’t stand the heat, he needs to get out of the kitchen.



Edb
said
0 0

My respect for this guy just went up ten fold! Why not say what the rest of Ontario and most of Canada has been saying for years.
Further to "Terry in Ottawa"
...a fence, with razor wire, and guard towers.



Western Sepratist
said
0 0

The thing that really scares me is we have to provinces Ontario and Quebec both with have not status and no prospects for turning that around yet they controll the majority of the seats in the federal house. Can you see the danger in that. They will vote in whichever party promises the biggest handout package while the rest of us get f.....ed.


erik snyder
said
0 0

This is just another example of an inexperienced and belligerent mentality. One usually finds it in disgruntled teenagers not in a man who holds high office. The cabinet pool in this party is shallow and attempts to hide shortcomings with arrogance. Tory times are tough times, always.


Conrad from Calgary
said
0 0

Never let it be said that the current iteration of the Conservatives has any class.


Ken in Ottawa
said
0 0

I think there are one or two ministers the PMO has not yet apologized for. Step it up boys.


Elizabeth, Ontario
said
0 0

Well Baird isn't the first person in Canada to utter that sentiment about Toronto and he won't be the last!


David
said
0 0

Toronto gets what it deserves. Stop whining. When your political party wins you can ask for more toys and ice cream.

Politics is all about supporting your power base. Toronto isn't significant for the Tories and likely never will be.


ADM Saskatchewan
said
0 0

Public or privately a person should always be aware of their surroundings and who might be in earshot. no tellign who might be listening. The media will pounce on any error right now!


Robert Brise
said
0 0


And he spoke the truth!!


Happy in Toronto
said
0 0

Canadians complain about Toronto, for the same reasons that Americans complain about New York. Go to Australia, and you'll find that everyone who lives outside of Sydney, hates Sidney. Montreal & Vancouver have their good points, but Toronto simply is the best city in Canada to live in, and we don't speak 'frustrated Albertan'!


CDF in Calgary
said
0 0

While the expletive word was inappropriate, and does nothing to engender support for the Conservatives, Mr. Baird makes a valid point. The bigger issue here is the incompetence at Toronto's City Hall under Mayor Miller. 2,700 municipalities across Canada got it right, but the largest city in the country didn't. I agree with the view that there should be an election, but not federal, it should be Toronto municipal.


Maty
said
0 0

While bad timing, he didn't say anything that the majority of Canadians (outside the centre of the universe) feel at some point. He was obviously frustrated, who hasn't said something they shouldn't out of frustration AND if every politician who said something stupid or inappropriate was forced to resign, there wouldn't be anybody remaining...in any political party...hey wait a minute....


Happy in Halifax
said
0 0

Lisa Raitt and John Baird are certainly keeping the PMO spin doctors busy today! The "communications" folks are earning their money for once, covering up for the clowns in Cabinet.


Joe
said
0 0

Typical Tories


Furtz A. Bootbomb
said
0 0

Mike Harris was his teacher.
A truly class act.


A very, very bad Man? I think not...
said
0 0

I have met John Baird and, even though I was not a big supporter of his policies while he was serving under Mike Harris, I found him to be personable, charming and really quite likeable. Thank God my mutterings do not get reported on or I too would be thrown to the feeding frenzy to be devoured. Conservative, Liberal, Communist whateverist... people are people!!! While I am at it, get the &^%$# off your high horses everyone!!! Oops, there goes my career!!!


Jay-TO
said
0 0

This entire episode is easy to explain. You have a federal ontario partisan conservative who hates Toronto right off the bat being given the opportunity to make what your typical conservative would call a "socialist" mayor look bad. It's all optics with Conservatives. The application could be perfect and Baird would reject it. You'd have to be a fool to not understand how our federal government/conservative party operates. Its all black ops, recording devices, and spin. It's a shame we have to wait for the NDP and Bloc to get rid of this horrible political entity.


Mike In Ottawa
said
0 0

First off if you haven't had to fill out a Federal Gov. Funding Application you should take a look at one before spotting off, these things are so subjective and open to interpretation that if you put one word out of place it can be rejected should the funding Department Head have some sort of axe to grind.

Second off, regardless of what everyones PERSONAL OPINION is of Toronto it is the Ministers Job to serve ALL CANADIANS not just the ones he or she feels derserves it period.


DW in Vancouver BC
said
0 0

It seems to be that the minister only said what we are all thinking. Toronto has to get over itself and come to terms that it is not "the center of the universe" no matter how much they all believe it



Retep
said
0 0

So John Baird is showing his true colors . . . I wonder if Mr. Baird doesn't realize that what one says in private, that is the true nature of the person.

You can't run around like a pit bull making a bunch of ugly noise and making; you know what out of yourself.
The time has come for us to ask ourselves the question: Do we want our young people to hear and read this type of trash talk?

We know what to do, don't we? Vote them out of office. The Conservatives have failed us; we thought we elected Christian men and women but we were wrong. Now its up to us to do what is right, and it is up to us to say that at the ballot box. We must get out there and talk to friends and neighbour. Everyone must win at least one person to vote other than PC.

Lets do our duty



KD
said
0 0

good for him for having an opinion

what should he do just send every application a check whether it's filled in proper or not

let me know where I can find one if that's the case
it would have likely been of more benifit if it had been said face too face with the Mayor and his counsel


Ken
said
0 0

I smell a lot of Toronto envy... too many small packages out there


Mary from TO
said
0 0

I'm not sure why everyone has such a hate on Toronto. Most of us are like everyone else in this country. Doing what we can to get by and provide for ourselves and our families.

Get over it people! We're all CANADIANS!


Chris in Ontariariari-Oh!
said
0 0

Oh my God someone actually verbally bashed Toronto and out loud too,wonder's never cease.Miller and his gang are the worst thing to ever happen to Toronto as they continue to drag that city down,just talk to the average person living there and you won't be long seeing why that city has such a bad reputation.They continue to be led by left wing ideology that continue's to hold them back from making the solid long term decision's to carry the city forward.A good example is their waste program as they continue to truck million's of tonnes of trash to Michigan every year.

A poll was conducted a few year's ago and Torontonian's were asked if they would prefer an energy from waste alternative to lanfill and over 75% said yes to the poll. Miller is stuck on the idea that diversion is the answer even though in many part's of the city his new waste recovery system isn't practical.Yet waste is still going over the border,it is no wonder it would be frustrating to deal with them. They want funding from the other level's of government but are not committed to take the necessary step's to improve their own lot and they wonder why the rest of the province hate's Toronto.


Former Torontonian
said
0 0

Has it ever occurred to anyone that the only people who think that Toronto is the center of the universe are those who do not live in Toronto? The reason why they tend to receive more government money than other municipalities in Canada is because their population size is much larger than that of any other Canadian municipality. Why does this rational explanation escape the minds of so many? The comment from the Minister has nothing to do with "honesty" as some have put it, but rather his obvious bias against the city of Toronto. Perhaps this factored into the decision making process at the federal level? Something to think about.


Nick, Ontario
said
0 0

To: Happy in Toronto

That is the exact attitude that makes people in the rest of the country not like T.O.

Toronto is NOT the best city in the country to live. This has been seen through various polls, research council findings, etc. I have lived in a few different cities, including Toronto. Toronto definitely has its charms, but it isn't the one I would return to if I had to move again.


Kris D.
said
0 0

So an application was MAYBE not filled our properly but Baird runs his mouth off in a media room and doesn't realize it?

Hmm, who sounds like the idiot here? And a cabinet minister telling a city to f-off?

This government is doing wonders for Canadians' pride, confidence and national unity!

Let's recap this goverments record:

Listerosis - "Death by a thousand cold-cuts"

Cancer treatment shortage - "Sexy"

Canada's largest city which contributes more money to our coffers than most provinces - "F-off!"

Wow. Just... wow.




MAL
said
0 0

What funds? There are no funds and there won't be, we all dreamed there was a budget and a recession..... and I certainly believe Toronto incapable of filling out a form that the rest of the country could, they probably didn't feel they 'HAD' to... after all 70% of us are fed up with highways being closed for charity nonsense in Toronto and that will continue ad nauseum in the city that hates cars/


Ken - Calgary
said
0 0

Stephen Harper's willingness to keep John Baird as a member of the Conservative caucus, much less as a cabinet minister, shows what complete lack of class the governing party has, and clearly illustrates Harper's complete lack of leadership for not firing Baird for his REPEATED outbursts. This is not the first time that Baird has made comments out of "frustration" that are really nothing more than showcasing his lack of class. The governing Conservatives need to be cast aside so that they can rebuild, just as the Liberals have done. Harper and Baird both need to permanently lose their jobs as Members of Parliament.


Mary out West
said
0 0

Is this what stands for reporting now? Snippets of private conversations as stories? Think bigger, and quit skimming the surface. It's like comparing an off the wire news feed to Watergate.


Bill in BC
said
0 0

Boo-Hoo! So TO has its knickers in a knot AGAIN. TO is getting to be a bad as Quebec for taking offence.
GROW UP!


Mary
said
0 0

So first we have a minister who thinks the isotope problem is a joke - hope none of her family has any medical needs for it - and now another one tells Toronto that it can F-off. How wonderful to have such concerned politicians in power.


Helen -On.
said
0 0

Finally, some truth uttered about 'Toronto the Good'. If Toronto were taken out of Ontario, our Province would not have a deficit. Is anyone familiar with the term "Hog Town'? Toronto has been called that for years.


Common CDN
said
0 0

Finally, we're hearing the truth! It's rather refreshing than being SO PC. Tell it like it is Baird et al.!


Golf Company Grunt
said
0 0

It seems to me when Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau dropped the F-bomb a.k.a. 'Fuddle Duddle' many years ago, people got over it and he carried on governing the country.

It would appear that the only people having a hard time with John Baird's comments are Liberals and their flock.

I think Baird's comments were directed at Chairman err, I mean Mayor Miller.

'Pro Patria'


David, Mississauga
said
0 0

All I have to say to Minister Baird is, "Right back at ya!"


Graeme
said
0 0

Well I'm much less concerned about this than calling cancer "sexy", which is just one of the lowest things I've heard even from a politician.

But still, it's just one thing after another with this group. I thought the Liberals were bad, but I think we're seeing they may be the lesser of two evils.


Jessica in Toronto
said
0 0

To Nick!
Everyone is entitled to their opinion... I, for one, love Toronto! I have lived in other parts of the Country as well and I share "happy in toronto" setiments. Why shouldn't we as Torontonians think that our City is the best City to live in? Polls aren't always correct. You have to see which demographic was polled, race, gender...

If other Cities hate Toronto because its citizens love to live there, that is a pretty silly reason to hate Toronto.


MJ
said
0 0

Miller missed the mark again. He wants cars out of Toronto period!! Never mind the over 100 year old sewers that keep breaking. Think that you should have tried for that. He is one minded and can see how the Feds would/could be frustrated by him. Miller is right people need jobs but if he keeps going the way he is he will have forced all the businesses (hotels etc) out of Toronto cause of taxes and inaccessibility!

That said a politican knows better than the say/whisper anything that can be repeated. I would hope that these people could hold themselves to a higher standard - all of them!!!


WJ
said
0 0

As a former GTA resident, all I can say is TO get your act together. You have the worst public transit system in Canada! Two meager subway lines and a street car system that is setup like a bus! At least in other major cities around the world streetcars are setup like light rail transit to complement the subway with actual desginated colored lines in an integrated easy to use system. Montreal is years ahead of you and is now only a fraction of your size. I used to like TO, but I hated their transit system. Now they want help! They never had a plan! So what Baird said although unbecoming is truthful. Enough.


Lugger in TO
said
0 0

To N T and others who enjoy taking pot shots at Toronto. The city pays out over $25 billion more in taxes each year than it receives in services/spending. And quite frankly, complains much less than the rest of the country about it.

How would more streetcars create jobs? 1. They're built by Bombardier in Northern Ontario. 2. Better transit revitalizes the areas they go through, increasing building of new condos, increasing store traffic and sales. Just as Torontonians don't understand why people feel the need to drive big trucks, you don't understand Toronto's need for transit. The source of this frustration and anti-city feelings come from ignorance. Can we make an effort to feel some love?


David de Toronto
said
0 0

For all those who love to hate Toronto I can only say you deserve to not live here. It is truly a great city and frankly we dont care about the types who think they dislike us and in many cases dont know us, particularly those can condone such comments from a minister.


dave12
said
0 0

I have lived in Toronto all my life but would move in a minute if my wife would agree to. Baird is right on with his expletive as I used the same word when I opened my tax form last week, up another $400. Miller has introduced a myriad of taxes to pay for his social programs and keep giving his union buddies their huge unearned raises.

This city is crumbling and most businesses have moved out of the city. The only major one that is doing well, Porter Airlines, he hates as it upsets his leftist elites.

Posters that criticize Baird should focus on what he is frustrated with, the incompetency of Miller and his submission of streetcars instead of a laundry list of immediate infrastructure upgrades. Instead these posters attack the messenger with ad hominems and childish criticisms


Gord
said
0 0

It was probably just uttered in frustration. Baird is a bit of a loose cannon anyway. The question is why did Toronto get the app wrong when 2700 others got it right?


PM
said
0 0

So... Toronto ignored the rules and submitted a wish list of big-ticket items.

I agree with Baird. F___ Toronto ! *(meaning the mayor and company, not the citizens)

Let them follow the rules like everyone else. I don't care how big and important they think they are.


DC in AB
said
0 0

George from part of Canada that matters: Perhaps you need to be corrected. With the manufacturing industry in Canada in shambles, I'm pretty sure the economic engine of Canada is Alberta and Calgary... perhaps you should check your sources.


Les
said
0 0

We have a democratically elected government in Toronto,the present government has said that we have troops in afghanisthan to promote democracy, so why is everyone so upset about the government in Toronto. This particular minister should understand he stands for all canadians irrespective if they voted for him or not and should mind his language, or this is how conservatives think when they are not voted for.


5th generation Canadian
said
0 0

Terry in Ottawa -- if Toronto & Montreal decided to leave, you wouldn't have much of a country! Every bit of this land is important to the overall good.


Matthew
said
0 0

Centre of the Universe?!?! Funny...nobody I have EVER talked to in Toronto thinks that, or would even want it to be that way! We love this country from coast to coast to coast, as every Canadian should! The rest of the country needs to grow up and at least act like they love their country, either that or leave!


M
said
0 0

To: "George from the only city that matters":

You say that, "Toronto is the only city in the country that could be considered a truly global and world-class city, with Montreal and Vancouver a distant second." Really, how do you figure that? Then you follow by saying, "The idea of an urban apartheid that I've read by some posts is hysterical." Are statements like that what makes Toronto the only world-class city in the country? Or is it the obvious attitude that you're the only citizens that matter (see your opening title)? Note the sarcasm.

Then you go on to CLAIM that, "At the end of the day, Toronto is still the economic engine of Canada, and without the Golden Horseshoe, Canada would be a third-rate Country that would have likely been pieced off the United States ages ago."

Really?

Seriously?

The economic engine of Canada? Wow I guess being incredibly ignorant justifies the claim of being world-class.

The fact that Toronto failed to properly apply for funding-where 2700 other applications were filed properly- and also failed to demonstrate how buying street cars would create jobs-the primary criterium for funding-is their own tough bananas.

If you want the money file correctly and make sure you meet the criteria-it's that simple.

I have to wonder, though, if Toronto did that on purpose to create a stir and whine; "Oh, boo-hoo no one likes us... everyone's against us" to ENSURE that they'll get the money... since they seem to feel they're entitled to the lions share of everything else in this country.


Bill from Ottawa
said
0 0

I generally avoid cussing, its a bad habit. I expect better from my MP and especially cabinet ministers.

Low class language from a low classed party. It was better as the reform party at least we know Preston Manning wouldn't swear or back talk about people.

Then you have Ms Rait who thinks it acceptable to bad mouth members of her own party. But given how thay talk about other parties this is no great leap.





Victor in Vaughan
said
0 0

F**k Off was used properly by Mr. Baird. Clearly, Mr. Baird was frustrated and in my opinion was saying that Toronto should go away with impatience.

Welcome to the real world.

From the dictionary:

f**k off, Slang.
a. to shirk one's duty; malinger.
b. go away: used as an exclamation of impatience.
c. to waste time.


PJR
said
0 0

funny to hear Terry from Ottawa saying a fence should be built around Montreal and Toronto. Ottawa owes its very existence to its geographical location between these two great cities..and sorry to the people in calgary.. you might have oil but its still just calgary!


YA from Toronto ON
said
0 0

Sure, let Toronto fade ... and you'll all go picking banana afterwards. Toronto and yes Ontario are the engine of Canadian economy and yes they do deserve more than others. What the mayor wants is not what is need anywhere else. But of course if you don’t live here you wont get it.

Transportation is the key to Toronto’s continues success. Just go New York, London UK or Frankfurt Germany and you’ll see why. The Conservatives are narrow minded and do not have a vision for Toronto, and this proves this fact very clearly.

And yes, bring on election and yes Ontario lets kick them where it hurts. PC bankrupted Ontario with billions of dollars debt and now they are doing the same thing to Canada. Take these buffoons off the road. Let them then make sexy comments whether it is medical isotopes or whether it is national security documents laying next to Bin Laden.

Oh, I think I just wrote the definition of incompetence.



Terri
said
0 0

The economy must be getting better. All the Liberal hacks making mountains out of molehills because they have nothing better to go on. Or maybe one or two Liberal hacks with different names.Let's talk about the 45 billion that the Liberals ripped off from the ei fund. Let's talk about the sponsership scandal. I know you think this is making the Liberals look better but some of us remember the beer and popcorn comment about middle class Canadians.Which is worse?Or a bigger insult


Mark
said
0 0

DC.. give your head a big shake. There are over 20 million people in Ontario and Quebec in all kinds of economic sectors including manufacturing, technology, service sector, etc. The GDP of this area trumps the output of 3 million Albertans by 7 fold. Calgary with its one million trumps the output of 5 million in the GTA? Don't make me laugh.


Matt
said
0 0

If transportation is they key to Torontos continued success.

Why doesn't Toronto

1. Stop wasting money on other less critical things, eg portable showers for the homeless, "ethnically diverse" food cards, city funded lawsuits against politicians critic etc.

2. Fill out the application correctly.


Gren in Montreal
said
0 0

I Love Toronto, public transit and every corner of this great country and I'm grateful to be able to live here. Razor wire, sheesh. Who wants that? Be grateful for your freedom because it can be taken away by building walls between us. There is a lot to learn from Canada's largest city and the people who make it a good place to live and work.
John Baird is some uniter.


Mickey, Toronto
said
0 0

I love the Toronto bashing. Ontario is now considered a "have not" province after years of coughing up money to help other parts of this country that are ignorant and ungrateful. A good chunk of that aforementioned money was generated in Toronto and by Toronto based businesses. I'm sorry that so many people live in parts of the country that are insignificant and don't really matter. Nevertheless, Toronto IS the most important part of this country because as Toronto goes, to a large extent, so goes the rest of the country. Deal with it.


Happy
said
0 0

First of all everyone knows that Montreal is the centre of the universe, not Toronto!
Secondly forgive John Baird's vulgar mouth. He's a Conservative and is therefore doing the best that he can.
Thirdly you'd be frustrated and jealous of Toronto too if you had to live in the backwater that is Ottawa!


Kris D.
said
0 0

DC in AB:

You need to check your sources bud. The City of Toronto contributes more tax dollars than a lot of provinces do and has much more than just manufacturing. Like our national banks, the stock exchanges and so many fortune 500 headquarters it's impossible to count... it's still the engine of our country and it will be for a long time to come.

With that being said, who really cares? Why is this government pitting us against one another? Why are they so divisive?

We are all part of Canada for crying out loud. We rise and fall as one. For over a century Ontario (and esp. Toronto) sent hundreds of billions of dollars to the rest of the country to be built, and we're proud of that.

Can we all please remember that we're not "westerners", "at the centre of the universe" or "east-coasters"...

We are Canadians.

We live in the best country in the world because of our vast nation with so many different landscapes and cultures. Be proud. You don’t tell another part of the country to f-off, especially as a cabinet minister.



Go BAIRD!
said
0 0

Good for you Jake!

Yeah, down with the socialists in T.O., because the fed Tories are doing a crackerjack job! -FAIL

--------

Jake former resident of Ontario
I agree with John Baird's comment.

Toronto voted in a bunch of incompetent socialists and now they cannot even correctly complete an application form. Ha!

SK Separatist
said
0 0

Actually Toronto is a pain...full of social engineers who call the shots on every election and government decision...we in the west are sick of it...


Alysha Ont
said
0 0

So Toronto's application ( 1 of 2700) did not meet the necessary criteria, then Toronto is arrogant to think that whenever they cry or stomp their feet, that everything should be handed to them on a silver platter. It's not the Conservatives who are arrogant... it is the City of Toronot ! There is much more to this Province of Ontario than Toronto. And for Kennedy to whine that the Conservatives are giving infrastructure money to Conservative ridings, why Not?? Have not the Liberals done the same when they have been in power?? What's good for the good Kennedy !!

Yeah to 2699 Municipalities and cities who will be getting infrastructure monies and putting people to work across the Province. After all, we do not ALL live in Toronto nor do we want to.

P.S. At the Proncial level, the Liberals gave out contacts to friends!Remember this?


PashmolPocket
said
0 0

Typical. Another Torontonian telling US that Toronto is Canada's Economic Engine. Wrong. Also telling US we are all the same...NOT. Toronto - Your elected officials don't give a crap about the oilsands when formulating policy regarding GHG emmissions and Jack Layton wants all development stopped. Screw you is right. The 401 Highway is the fourth largest GHG emmitter in the country but, let's bash the true economic engine of Canada and keep those transfer payments comin'....


Chad in Edmonton
said
0 0

Way to go John! It's about time someone told the GTA where to go. There's more to Canada than just Toronto.


Baird for PM
said
0 0

Haha!!!!

The conservatives really do make politics fun.!!!
I wish they had of told Miller and his socialists that long ago!!!!!!!

Its funny people from Ontario want Harper out, yet look what they have for government...McGuinty-tax losing manufacturing jobs by the thousands.

Miller-streetcars-yet you can hardly drive on any city streets without driving into pot holes..not to mention bike lanes everywhere.

Sucks to be a small business owner in Ontario!!!!
Keep swearing Cons...

The majority outside of Toronto would rather you than Iggy!!!


Ted
said
0 0

Toronto doesn't get what it wants because it subsidizes Canada's welfare provinces to the tune of $10 billion. What'll happen when the forces of stupidity and meanness destroy this city built largely by immigrants...where will you get your welfare, maybe you'll have to join the EU, but all they would want is your oil which is all the west can do besides stirring up hate.


Mark
said
0 0

I don't understand why the news agencies are wasting time even reporting these stories. Just another attempt by the Big Media outlets to presure the government to giving bail out money. "Give us the money and we will make you look good". Can anyone out there honestly say they have never sworn out of frustation.


Maria-Toronto
said
0 0

This makes me laugh...

I think it's okay to laugh at stupidity, right??? :0


Say Bye Bye!
said
0 0

Minister John Baird is showing his true colors. He is unkept and ill-mannered - his justification is unacceptable!


Alysha Ont
said
0 0

Paul - Orillia
Laugh my ass off!!
More jokes coming out of this governements gag bag.

What a joke,

Wake up Canada, look at the baffoons you voted in!!


You want a baffoon or better, then vote in Iggy who has said that the Canadian flag looks like a cheap beer label. Add all the other negative comments he has either spoken or written about this country Canada while he was away. If this is what you want governing our fine country, then you will get what you asked for because after all he is ONLY ViSITING folks !


Chalk River-ite
said
0 0

In response to : George from the part of Canada that matters!

Hmm - apparantely my little village matters as well, as we're not producing isotopes.

Does size matter? For you perhaps...

I'd like to have some money put into a building that is leaking radiation into my community.... is that okay with you?


Mary out West
said
0 0

One-city patriots should cease their flag waving. Each part of the country has taken its turn carrying the other, and that's a fortunate thing. Even if the West has been the economic engine of late, they took the handoff of that baton from Ontario before that.

Newfoundland is developing in its own right, with Saskatchewan alongside; and hurrah for them! As a native Calgarian, I root for Ontario, and know that the many new ventures that will crop up out of necessity in place of their crumbling businesses of yesterday will grab that baton again in a few years; and so it goes. We are all more likely to survive with the many Canadian hands carrying all of us, from Coast to Coast.
Amen.


lulu
said
0 0

Oh, fuddle-duddle!


WC
said
0 0

Baird is only human and has every right to say what is on his mind. Who cares this is a non-issue everyone does, everyone.


Peter in Edmonton
said
0 0

I agree with him.

Say what you want Liberals - this is why the Cons got in there a second time and why the Liberal party is haemorrhaging seats. Go ahead. Call an election. It makes me snicker to read the inexplicible confidence in which you figure you'll get somewhere next election.


meerkat
said
0 0

Oh it's just sport to slam the TOP DAWG.

Toronto is a fine city, with an extraordinarily low crime rate in comparison to cities in the United States that are half its size.

That old 'green eyed monster' (jealousy) is what fuels this so called hatred of Toronto.

Torontonians don't really care what others think... they just love their city.

My hope for anyone would be that they loved the place they lived.


Dave McLean
said
0 0

"F---" Toronto seems to be the attitude from the federal conservative government, and unfortunately, from many outside Toronto. That attitude is probably why the Conservatives have experienced such a difficult time in making political inroads in Toronto. I find the attitude quite upsetting. And I'm an ex-westerner living and enjoying Toronto.

Dave from Nanaimo


T DOT
said
0 0

Everyone's jealousy towards Toronto is childish. Grow up.


Jeff
said
0 0

If only the Tories were so quick in rushing to forgiveness when some other party steps on their toes. "Sorry"? Who cares, just don't get your nose out of joint the next time a Liberal or New Democrat say somthing stupid.


Dave in Surrey annoyed by CTV censoring!!!
said
0 0

Funny to see Albertan's here agreeing with this statement yet they all still continue to cry about Trudeau giving them the finger over 30 years ago...

Time to put this government to rest before they cause even more harm than they already have...


kissy
said
0 0

Doesn't suprise me at all...Look at Bairds Background!


karen from Calgary
said
0 0

Hear, hear! John


Mary out West
said
0 0

to Mark - you really need to search GDP by province. The wiki stats are real $ per capita results. You'll be surprised; oh, and start laughing.


Peter in Edmonton
said
0 0

Kris D says:

"You need to check your sources bud. The City of Toronto contributes more tax dollars than a lot of provinces do and has much more than just manufacturing. Like our national banks, the stock exchanges and so many fortune 500 headquarters it's impossible to count..."

What on Earth are you talking about? First off: No - simple as that. Toronto DOES NOT contribute more than a lot of provinces. That's hilarious. Secondly the national banks are just that-National. S'got nothing to do with Toronto. Thirdly that T.O is headquarters for companies that make money elsewhere is equally meaningless....and the TSE? It's just a stock exchange. The companies that keep it worth something are spread out over all of Canada.

sheesh. Stop telling otehrs to check their sources, you haveen't the foggiest notion what you're talking about.


WestofTheRockies
said
0 0

@ Kris D. & YA from Toronto ON

Sorry, but the center of Canada has shifted way to the west.

Toronto may have been the center of Canada but not anymore.

Head offices have been leaving Toronto in favour of cities like Calgary & Vancouver for years.

Asia is where it's happeninng now not old Europe. Like it or not we are closer, as well as that we have energy & agriculture. We have what you need. You can't assume any longer it's yours to take as you see fit.

The West for decades has conributed far more to this country than it gets back and has been treated with the same disdain you guy's outline in your comments.

Canada will not implode without a strong Toronto.

We understand Mr. Baird's frustration. We've been hearing the same thing for decades from your Liberal pals. Your Liberal God Trudeau put it in the same language and in Toronto it was met with great amusement.

Whats good for the goose is good for the gander. Suck it up.

Go away with your little puffed out chests, and your strutting back & forth before we turn off the oil tap and block your goods from getting to port.






campbell
said
0 0

The munic of Toronto should make it clear to the Harper gov. they are not welcome in To and that they will actively campaign against the Harperite's in the coming elections


James in New Brunswick
said
0 0

What an incredibly STUPID thing to say when the party is already having trouble winning seats in Toronto! Love them or hate them, Toronto is the KEY constituency when it comes to forming a majority government and the Conservatives has now just blown it entirely! I can't believe this!


Ryan (in Western Canada)
said
0 0

Wow. I could care less what Toronto does or feels insulted by. After living with the forced decisions they've made to Western Canada for years, seriously? Do we care at all?


Jean in Belleville
said
0 0

I'm just coarse enough I guess to find this gaff amusing. Toronto wears the dunce hat again for bungling its application and thanks to Mr. Baird, everybody knows about it.


David of Canada's centre
said
0 0

Interesting that those who complain about Toronto are even unable to spell 'centre' the Canadian way. Yes, we are the centre of the universe, not the center. that place is no doubt thought to be in the USA.


Toronto can
said
0 0

For all the stupid comments from the centre of the universe and their pathetic Maple Laughs Torontonians can deal with it without the usual whining I'm sure.

....and media types never use the "F" word? NO, they just promote people like Gordon Ramsay with the "mouth"... let's cut the hypocrisy people.




dawn
said
0 0

now swearing and not just swearing but dropping the f bomb....wow .......are tiny widdle conservatives gettin worried suck it up princess and be a man and apologize and then step down...your foul mouth isn't needed


Peter in Edmonton
said
0 0

Mark says:

"DC.. give your head a big shake. "

Mark look it up yourself: the GDP *per capita* for Alberta is 69,789 and 43,847 for Ontario. Give your own head a shake.



Les in BC
said
0 0

Some one finally got it right. Ontario seems to think that if they stand up and snivel, the rest of Canada will jump to attention and cater to them.

I think they are having a tough time swallowing the pills of truth. Yu ain't the big boss anymore guys, so sit down and stop your whining. This a big county and all provinces have a shot at the kitty. You are not automatically first at the trough anymore.


Bill Moyer Trenton
said
0 0

Imagine if someone tape-recorded things you said. Are we all so pure that we have never trashed another city, our boss, a relative....? John Baird's comments are unfortunate, but very human. He is only mortal. How about the rest of us?


waynestunes
said
0 0

I can't stop laughing. Harper has to stop his people(Baird) from opening their mouths. Not a good idea to piss off the biggest province.You know VOTES.SO FUNNY.


Mike Stokes
said
0 0

Once again most people never bothered to read the whole story . He told TO administration off, not the entire population of Toronto. People should be wondering how their city council could goof up a simple application form.


Jay
said
0 0

Maybe Toronto should have just got their application right in the first place. 2,700 other municipalities were able to.


Glen from Ottawa
said
0 0

Putting the cussing aside would be best. Who ever said that politics in Canada was boring? We've had 2 or 3 mess ups in the last week now.

Anyway, its about time Ottawa gets some transit funding, its always about Toronto. We're taxpayers too!
Whats up with that?



Toronto Lovah
said
0 0

I love F bombs.

Come on, every politician uses them.

Who cares.

*You gotta get... that... dirt of your shoulder!*


Independently Minded
said
0 0

@Joe

Joe, don't ever presume to speak for me!

I am for a united Canada.

I am truly sick and tired of this BS regionalism!

If the Yankees can have proud Texans, New Yorkers, Californians calling themselves Americans, why can't proud Albertans, Ontarians, Quebecers, etc... call themselves Canadians?

The CPC's regionalistic ideologies are ripping us apart and some welcome it, how tragic...

TO's needs are just as relevant as Calagary's, Vancouver's, Regina's are.

Yeah some of Torontonians are arrogant prigs, but there are just as many in Calgary, Vancouver, etc...


WestofTheRockies
said
0 0

@Mary out West

"Even if the West has been the economic engine of late, they took the handoff of that baton from Ontario before that."

We did? The only reason Ontario had anything to do with the West is because they could make money here. That's it plain & simple.

The Federal Gov. gave them lots of breaks as well.

We've been their cash cow way too long, pouring billions into their coffers for the last century while they doled it back out to us a few drips at a time keeping 90% for themselves.

You keep rooting for Toronto.




Marg
said
0 0

You would think that Toronto could get their application right but apparently Miller's staffers aren't as smart as he would like to think. Good on Baird! I believe he has spoken for most Canadians who are sick and tired of Miller's whining for everyone else in the country to pay for everything in Toronto. We're sick of it Mayor Miller! So go Fuddle Duddle off and leave us all alone!


Cara - Ottawa
said
0 0

No wonder no one wants to be in politics anymore and it's so hard to find or keep quality people in high profile government jobs. We are bombarded daily with media fed gossip, with private conversations being taped and held until an opportune moment to expose all, and news stories solely with the intent to embarrass and humiliate. No real value. We have the media wasting taxpayers dollars by paying 5 dollars per request and having a government employee do all the "digging up dirt" for them under Access to Information. The big news of the day is John Baird said a bad word, Ruby Dhalla wasn't nice to her caregivers, Lisa Raitt criticized a co-worker, and Michael Ignatieff said Canada had 4 time zones. If we are going to start calling for the firing of every politician who says a bad word, or criticizes a co-worker we may as well throw up our hands now. No wonder people don't vote anymore. They don't know what any of the issues are! They only know the scandal of the week. If we think the behaviour in the House of Commons is bad, just take a look at what the media reports these days - total garbage. How about getting back to reporting the news and leave the gossip to the tabloids.


North of 60
said
0 0

I guess it's comments like these - and the ones from Ms. Raitt - that are the reason why Harper doesn't want his Cabinet talking to the media and tries to keep them muzzled.


Victor King
said
0 0

I have a suspicion that some of the comments here are the work of a few conservative supporters. Take Dave, John, and Joe. Simply names, short comments. Never a reason to support their views. I suspect there are paid or unpaid conservatives watching for opportunity like this to tip the balance of public opinion. For what they are doing, they are creating division, they are destorying this country, this province, and this or any city.


Jerry Coulter
said
0 0

Baird and his buddies will get Toronto's response in the next election.


Doug
said
0 0

Baird was wrong to say that but then again . . . who cares!

Absolutely no one in socialist Toronto is going to vote for a politician that is anything but a weak Liberal so forget about it and move on.


Dave in Whitby
said
0 0

I like LuLu's comment :
Oh, fuddle-duddle!
Did Pierre Trudeau not use these same word's and then tell reporters -" I said fuddle-duddle" not the F word . These Ministers need to get on the Ball before the next Election .



Kathy
said
0 0

I don't mean to be rude, but honestly I just don't care!


Doug BC
said
0 0

Baird's true colours.


Angela
said
0 0

oh come on, who among us in a moment of frustration have never uttered the f-word...i'm no conservative but now it seems like we're grasping at straws to make them look bad.


Independently Minded
said
0 0

I'm no fan of Baird (at all), but at least he had the sense to apologize to the Mayor before things got totally out of control.

He could use an attitude adjustment as a national minister, but he did take steps to minimize the damage publicly and not repeat at nauseam a prepared statement over and over...


Tired of the bickering
said
0 0

Lets face it people everyone is human. I'm sure there are a lot of people that have posted here that have a high postion of some sort in some company and have said the exact same thing under their breath. Those people just did not get caught.

The media is taking every thing out of proportion and just trying to make news. Do you not think that it would be wise for the Cons and Libs to stop the bickering between each other, and work on the betterment of the country ie the economy.

Its all about votes!!!!


Dan from Northern Ont
said
0 0

He just said what many rural people were thinking. Take a look a look at what percentage of the Ontario deficit is going directly to Toronto. Doesn't look too proportionate to me.


Vancouver Island Guy
said
0 0

Although I live on Vancouver Island, Toronto is a great city and is run very efficiently. When I visited there I found the people friendly, the city clean and well organized. They have a hugh population and need excellent transit to make it truly a green city. I support their application as it benefits all of us when our cities use green, clean transportation.


Independently Minded
said
0 0

WestofTheRockies

Dude, its time your attitudes grow up and you join the rest of us in our great nation.

If a child is bitter at 8 its the parent's fault if the child is bitter at 28 it's their own fault.

The Western provinces were the welfare states for decades and the East supported us, now its our turn to return the favor. Do you honestly think mining, fishing and forestry (the commodities we dealt in before the tar sands) actually made as much money as manufacturing in the East? Hell no!

Either you're Canadian or you are not...

Choose!!


me
said
0 0

Baird has every right to talk about Toronto's application for funding that way. He's only saying what every one outside of Toronto feels about Toronto. And I WILL vote for him and the Conservatives as a result.


Meaghan from T.O.
said
0 0

I live in Toronto.

I love Toronto.

I have always had a profound dislike for Mr. Baird.

I do NOT think this is a big deal.

The outrage associated with this comment is a joke. Curse away, minister.


Lee Ann
said
0 0

Would this have made big news if he had not said the "f" word? Bottom line is he just voiced a fact. The paperwork was not filled out correctly. Anyone who has every applied for anything on a form knows that you double or triple check your work to avoid delays in processing........I guess the City of Toronto thinks they are above this somehow. Good for you Mr. Baird.... :)