RICK DOUCET HAS A PROBLEM WITH SCOTMAN'S KILT???

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Times & Transcript | Provincial News
As published on page A8 on April 7, 2006

Minister in hot water over crude remark in legislature
Business development minister made remark in front of Grade 6 class

Times & Transcript Staff

FREDERICTON - More than 20 Blacks Harbour Grade 6 students visiting the legislative assembly had just left sardines on the desk of every MLA when the minister of Business New Brunswick gave the class his own salty treat.

However, Kirk MacDonald's offering came in the form of an off-colour joke referring to his Scottish heritage and his ministerial manhood. When making his annual member's statement about Tartan Day, MacDonald made a crack about what prompted his decision to ditch his kilt.

"However as of late there's been some confusion. Many people feel that I have a tripod underneath my kilt and therefore to avoid any confusion, Mr. Speaker, I decided just to wear the tartan badge today," MacDonald said to the laughs and groans of the politicians.

Charlotte Liberal MLA Rick Doucet, who had just introduced a class of Grade 6 students from his riding and had asked for a respectful level of decorum inside the legislature, was livid over what the children were forced to hear.

"This is just (wrong) as far as I'm concerned. Here we are trying to show young people what it's like to develop some apathy for politics and this is the type of thing they've got to hear from the government side," Doucet said. "I'm completely disgusted."

As a backbencher, MacDonald was known for his quick wit and booming voice. Now that he's a cabinet minister and his words are being parsed a bit more closely, MacDonald said he's sorry if he offended anyone.

"It was a humorous statement that was made and I stand by it. I don't see anything wrong with it," MacDonald said.

When speaking to reporters after the comment, the blushing business minister wouldn't explain exactly what he meant by a "tripod" underneath his kilt.

After being informed of the comment, Rosella Melanson, the executive director for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, said that reinforces why many people shy away from politics.

"It's inappropriate. Yes, he should have to stand in front of the Grade 6 class and explain what he was saying," Melanson said. "It is one of the many examples to draw out why people, let alone women, are not interested in politics."

Dan Taylor, president of the New Brunswick Scottish Cultural Association, said he is enjoying the sudden burst of attention for Tartan Day.

"I love it because this is the most attention that Tartan Day has ever got," Taylor said. "And maybe now the government will wake up and realize there are Scots in the province. I don't think he meant to insult anybody or any group or any children in the gallery. It was just a fun comment and should be taken fairly lightly."