Doug Ford asked to apologize over 'divisive' comments about immigrants
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is being asked to apologize for "divisive" comments made on Monday about immigrants coming to Ontario "to collect the dole."
Ford was in Tecumseh addressing the skilled labour shortage in the province when he made the comments.
“You come here like every other new Canadian. You work your tail off," Ford said. "If you think you're coming to collect the dole and sit around, it’s not going to happen. Go somewhere else.”
‘Collecting the dole’ is a term used in some countries to refer to collecting unemployment benefits.
The Premier was in Windsor-Essex to make an announcement reaffirming the province’s commitment of $9.8 million for a new mega hospital in the area.
Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca, who labelled the comments “divisive” and “disappointing,” issued a statement asking for an apology from Ford.
“This kind of divisive language is deeply disappointing,” Del Duca said on Twitter. “A Premier is supposed to unite Ontarians, not wedge us further apart. As a son of immigrants, I know first-hand how people like my parents helped to build Ontario. Doug Ford should apologize for his callous comments.”
When reached for comment, Ford's spokesperson Ivana Yelich told CTV News Toronto that Ontario is “open to anyone and everyone who wants to work hard, support their family and contribute to their community.”
“Ontario is in desperate need of skilled and unskilled workers to fill its labour shortage,” Yelich said. “While the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program is effective, it’s extremely oversubscribed, which is why for the last several years we have been calling on the federal government to increase the amount of economic immigration into the province,” Yelich said.
Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath echoed Del Duca’s statements, saying that Ford chose to “traffic in demeaning stereotypes” with his comments.
“He should apologize. But we've been here before. Sadly, this is who he is. Our diverse, welcoming province deserves better,” Horwath said.
Mike Schreiner, leader of the Ontario Green Party, responded to the comments by stating that “immigrants work hard and make vital contributions to our province.”
“To suggest otherwise is inexcusable and only divides people,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.