MP Williamson Apologizes for Use of ‘Offensive’ Lang. for TFWP

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Conservative MP for New Brunswick, John Williamson, has openly apologized for using “offensive and inappropriate language” in reference to Canada’s temporary foreign worker program. According to several media sources, Mr. Williamson alleged during a conference in Ottawa that it makes no sense to pay “whities” to stay home while companies bring in “brown people” as temporary foreign workers.

In response to the criticism against his remarks, Williamson mentioned on Saturday that he apologizes for the language he used in reference to the controversial federal program although he failed to elaborate on what he said. He posted on Twitter that “today I used offensive and inappropriate language regarding the Temporary Foreign Workers Program,” adding that “for this I apologize unreservedly.” The former communications director for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Williamson, also alleged that he believes different parts of the country have different labour needs. He stressed that employers in his riding should try to fill job openings by giving Canadian workers priority.

Williamson is reported to have made these remarks in response to a question at a conservative policy conference regarding shortage of workers in meat packing and processing plants. Williamson stated that “my part of the country, I deal with temporary foreign workers and the interaction with employment insurance, and it makes no sense from my point of view — I’m going to put this in terms of colours but it’s not meant to be about race — it makes no sense to pay ‘whities’ to stay home while we bring in brown people to work in these jobs.”