Updated: Tue Nov. 24 2009 9:53:24 PM

CTV.ca News Staff

Conservative MP Gerald Keddy has apologized for saying unemployed Haligonians are "no-good bastards" because they won't work on Christmas tree farms.

"I would like to offer a sincere apology for remarks I made regarding the unemployed in Halifax. These comments were insensitive, and for that I am truly sorry," Keddy, who owns a Christmas tree farm, said Tuesday in the House of Commons.

"In no way did I mean to offend those who have lost their job due to the global recession, nor did I mean to suggest that anyone who is unemployed is not actively looking for employment."

There are more than a dozen tree farm operations in Nova Scotia's Annapolis valley, and many hire migrant workers from Mexico.

According to the Halifax Chronicle-Herald, the "bastards" remark came Monday after Keddy was asked whether he had ever hired migrant workers.

He replied that his family-owned operation does not, but about 20 Christmas tree growers in the area do hire migrant workers because they have no choice.

"Nova Scotians won't do it -- all those no-good bastards sitting on the sidewalk in Halifax that can't get work," Mr. Keddy said.

His comments came on the 20th anniversary of an all-party House of Commons resolution to end child poverty.

New Germany, N.S.-based tree farmer Jim DeLong told CTV Atlantic he uses local labour, but that the work isn't for everyone.

"Sure it's a great way to make a living, but it's not what a lot of people choose, and not a lot of people say, 'I hope my children pick vegetables for a living,'" he said.

Comments are now closed for this story

jdude
Keddy is probably right, can we please stop this ridiculous "political correctness"?

darren
Things like this are said, but the real sad part is the community that keep voting for this party. Conservatives around the world have 1 thing in common. They do not know anything about the party they are voting for and are led blindly like cattle. For once people should think for themselves and vote accordingly. Hold your MP's accountable. Make a stink when something like this happens.

Jim in Ontario
The children at play. Next stop for Ignatieff in the opinion polling: the teens. Going, going,.....

chat.rana
I am a supporter of the Liberal party. But I am with the Conservative MP on this one. I do not appreciate people who refuse to work and then live on other hard working people's tax money. Yes, they are no good to the country. I would rather have the migrants who work hard than lazy Canadians.

Brian in Nova Scotia
So the man should apologize for telling the truth? Nothing pisses me off more than young adults sitting on the street bumming for money when they won't get off their butts and work. It may be a low paying job but why should pay for someone to sit on a corner bumming. I know of a couple of them that actually clear over $80 a day doing this. And still try to get money from the government which is mine and yours.Brian

Ted - Ont.
The sad part is Keddy is more than likely right.. It would interfere with their receiving welfare/handouts, and they woyuld have to actually work

Ewin
Pretty sad when one can't even speak the truth. Might be a little harsh but it's true.

meb
As right as he is I wish he would have used a different term.....but with LAZY highlighted

Peter Rapsey
Just another example of this government's attitude that is moving canada backwards.

charlie
No doubt there is some truth in these remarks - some people won't work as they more than happy just to have the handouts coming their way. This is not the same as "can't work" for any number of reasons. To try to deny this, and co-incidentially position yourself as the champion of all the down-trodden, is a bit disingenuous. It does make for a political sound-bite though. Let's face facts and not sugar-coat the issue. I have no difficulty in seeing my tax dollars helping those who are unable to work but am fed up with supporting the lazy and the "takers" in this society.

Mel Blake
I lived in Halifax for a long time. Its a great city but all you have to do is walk by the library downtown on Spring Garden Road and see what he's talking about. Otherwise healthy people panhandling while there's work to be had if they wanted it. I saw a help wanted sign at a coffee shop there for about a month once because it was part time and minimum wage. A beggar can make more money than a minimum wage worker while having to do no work and contributing nothing to society. Yes, there a people with mental health issues on the street, but we all know the group that is being referred to in his comments.

bellainottawa
Unbelieveable. Really, does he know if those people that are on the street were there from poor circumstance instead of choice. Please. He should most certainly apologize.

John from Saskatoon
Calling a spade a spade. If the work is there and people won't do it because they're too good for it then it seems to me that comment fits. When people who are able to work are living on EI or welfare or nothing the choice to not take a job shouldn't be an option.

Bob,Calgary,Alberta
I'm one of those people who blindly voted Conservative in the last election because,according to Darren, I didn't know anything about the party I voted for. What I do know is that the Liberals will grasp at any straw to try to make Canadians believe that they have a monopoly on caring about the welfare of others. If truth be told Liberals care about only one thing "RAW NAKED POWER" and it drives them crazy when they don't have it. What Canadians need to do in the next election is to ensure that as many Liberal candidates as possible wind up sitting on street corners like lazy bums as possible.

Rose
Poverty and unemployment are social and economic problems that require a serious community response, guided by responsible leadership. How can we possibly regard blaming individuals and name-calling a contribution to such leadership? Don't the people of Canada deserve better than this?

Peter
Why are people so sensitive? Grow up! Sticks and Stones right....? If you sit on a sidewalk for a living and take offense to this man's remarks, get up, get a local job (or at least try) and prove they guy wrong! Otherwise don't take offense.

Geoff
How many times do we lament for a politician who tells it like it is. It is no wonder they don't because advocacy groups enabled by the media jump down their throats. I want to congratulate the MP for having the guts to say what needed to be said. In the age of the internet it is up to the great unwashed masses to cut through the din of liberal B.S. perpetrated in the media and let the people who are elected know we want more of this type of candor.

Portes
bellainottawa In hamilton we have 17 and 18 years olds on the street begging while ther are jobs available. Is this what you want? He was right there are too many bums on the streets that are getting handouts for doing nothing. I asked your representative many years ago Ms. Sheila Copps, if we could put them in the Armed Forces, that way they would have a job and gain their self respect back. I was told that we can't do that as it is against their right not to work. Sorry but my tax dollars go to pay them for doing nothing. No wonder I don't support the Liberals, what a joke. people who need the help I am the first one to say they should have it, but not the people that have kids just to have their welfare payments increased, and not to pay for cabs at the end of the month to run to the beer stores and the corner store to pick up cigs for them at a charge of $6.50 per trip and sometimes to bootleggers in the middle of the night. isuggest that you check around your area and find out about this abuse of taxpayers money

Jay-TO
Why the surprise? They are reform-conservatives afterall. They have nothing but disdain for anyone not in upper class. Why should they? People blindly vote for them based on their words which never translate into anything beneficial for them. Just more of the same tax cuts for those making the most money. But keep voting reform-conservative sheeple. Hopefully you'll get it at some point. You'll have no health care or any other assistance but you can sleep well knowing "u isn't no lieberal".

B. Kelley, Ontario
I found the remarks refreshingly honest and from a politician at that. He just said what most honest, hard working, taxpaying citizens are thinking. Liberals and NDP love to defend and facilitate some people's right to be voluntary lazy bastards and sponge off the rest of us so it probably comes as a shock that someone would actually have the guts to state the obvious. A ray of hope in the dark night of socialism.

Rose
As many of the comments here show, blaming individuals for this problem is nothing new. I guess it has worked so well this far in solving the problem, we should really all do more of it!

Rob in On
While I agree that there are plenty of "lazy bastards" collecting welfare and EI I find it irresponsible and somewhat ignorrant on the MP's part to make such a blanket assumption of individual circumstance. The truth is the majority of panhandlers happen to be homeless, and we know that in many cases these very people suffer from some sort of mental illness. I don't know of a sane person who would intentionally deny themselves dignity and self preservation by pan handling because they're too lazy to take a job. Comments such as these are the very reason myself and other conservative supporters are looked upon as draconian dinosaurs. Lets be clear that the stupidity of some, is not the necessarily the ideology of an entire party no matter what their political stripe.

Jim in Ottawa
He is probably right but as a public official, he could have chosen better words to convey the same meaning. Under these circumstances, I think an apology is necessary and sufficient.

Chuck in NB
No-good Lazy bums would have sounded better, and more accurate, still bad, but better and I'm sure they are not technically all bastards.But let's not just single out NS, this is a national problem!

russ
Most Canadians wouldn't accept a low paying job like working on a farm. For once, a Tory MP is right.

Rick in NB, Ste Marie
Baird tells Toronto to F*** off and Keddy calls Haligonians a bunch no-good bastards. Does this sound like a party of the people? But he did his duty. He took some pressure off Peter Mackay's Waterloo.

Hurts, doesn't it?
I agree with many on here; it is politically incorrect, but accurate, to say there are SOME people who will not do SOME jobs that SOME foreign labour will do cheerfully. Anyone who has seen the quite able-bodied hanging about downtown Halifax (and elsewhere) looking for a handout instead of a hand up will know it's an "ugly truth."Good on you Gerald!

MARG MM
It is too bad that he used that choice of words, however, he is no doubt right. It is seen in every city, and while some are ligitimately "down and out" and need help, there are many more just using and abusing the system. If the able bodied were made to work, there would be more money to help those that really need it.Again the Liberals, grasping at any opportunity to discredit the Conservative Government, even though many Liberals have no doubt had the same thoughts. At least the Conservatives have the guts to tell it like it is.

Dennis L. Krahn
Congratulations Mr. Keddy! You have the cojones to separate the bear s--t from the buckwheat Medicine Hat Alberta is also slowly starting to drown in bums and free loaders; immigration allows people into our country and then when those peole find out that they actually have to work an 8 hour day for 8 hours pay they go on the dole. Tim Hortons on 3rd. St. in the Hat is a favorite gathering place for this mob and that is affecting business places. Foreigners should be deported if they don't work when work is available and natural born Canadians should be cutoff whatever free handouts there are if there is work to be had. I want my tax money to help out only those who are truly in need and honestly need help.

GTA
I've been to Halifax - the guy is right on with his remarks.

Steve in BC
I feel better now. I was just reading some comments on this same story on the CBC site, if anybody suggested that these "no-good bastards"should get a job they got a huge amount of thumbs down. For the most part, posters on CTV don't seem to be quite as loony.

Nick in Gatineau
Its one thing for joe blo to say it, its another for a politician. The moment those words came out of his mouth, Keddy violated the very oath he took when he became an elected official. He violated the terms that bind every citizen - and their right of choice - and the government. One must respect the citizens regardless of their social situation otherwise it can degenerate into something rather sinister. The kind of thing our soldiers are fighting against and dying for in foreign countries.Keddy should apologize.

Nick in Gatineau
Today's workforce aged between 15 and 30 are lazy. Who's to blame ? Parents and even more to the point, Politicians who are parents. Over the last 15 years Government has bent over backwards to ensure the kids would have a chance. We gave them everything they wanted. Now, they spend their days chatting instead of working. I have yet to meet a single 25 year old who is willing to do something menial - even if it has to be done. They simply refuse to do it and laugh at you for asking them to do it. Or they'll do it as soon as their friends leave the room.So imagine those who are jobless. Oh, how many employers will hire someone who hasn't showered in a week ? Or reeks of god knows what ? Or has no clean clothes ? Think about that long and hard. The very reality of the workforce is feeding the reality of the jobless. And laughs at it.Plainly put, if seeing someone panhandling bothers you, don't give them money.

Dummy Keddy
Keddy doesn't have a clue what he says.He just recites what the Conservative resource group dummies tell him.

Raymond
Liberals: Always demanding apologies. They need to grow some thicker hide.

Dave in Qc.
Over the last few years I have noticed the comments on these boards becoming more and more supportive of what are nasty statements by all party members.I have friends in the USA and Australia that have commented on this to me with the question When did Canada start becoming such an intolerent, prejudicial and nasty country?The only answer I have for them is The After Harper became PM.

Edb
Add to that the lazy creeps with nose rings panhandling on the streets here in Hamilton while 40km down the road Niagara farmers require foreign workers to pick the fruit CANADIANS eat.We are group hugging ourselves to oblivion Canada!

Tim
Keddy is right! There are a lot of jobs out there even though the pay is lower. But if you're on welfare, a job is better than no job. But some welfare receptionists won't lower themselves to work at a lower paying job. It's as simple as that! The Liberals are just playing politics by playing this up in their continuous attempt to find anything to pin on the Conservatives.

RJ in Halifax
jay TO is absolutely right...I do sleep well knowing I'm not a liberal (apparently liberals can't spell either). Why is it that anyone who votes liberal is an enlightened individual while conservative voters are "blind sheep"? Are liberal supporters suggesting that the right to freedom of choice in voting MUST be limited to only exercising that freedom if one votes liberal?By the way, I live in Halifax and anyone who catches a bus on Barrington Street at Scotia Square is quite familiar with the 19 to 23 year old male who panhandles daily. When anyone (and several have) suggests taking him into the mall to buy him a meal, he gets angry and says he ONLY TAKES CASH!

B from South Shore
How Gerald Keddy ever gets himself elected, I'll never know. The South Shore can do much better than this guy.

C in Fredericton
Is everyone that comes to this website a die hard, heartless conservative? I can't believe the amount of comments on this board that condone what this man has said! This is disgraceful! Come on people, really? The real issue here is the homeless. Look at some statistics. in fact there was a really good video interview about homelessness on this website yesterday. The vast majority of homeless people suffer from severe mental illnesses. That's why they're homeless because their mental illnesses are so severe that they honestly can't function normally in society like everyone else. In addition many other homeless are hopelessly addicted to drugs, and it was their addictions made them homeless. The homeless are not "lazy bums", or "no good bastards". They are the most desperate of all people, and many of them are probably teetering on the edge of suicide because they believe that there is no help for them, and that no one cares. Taking a look at this message I would have to say that they're right. Not many people do care, and in this country that's disgusting and intolerable. You people need to step out of charmed and privileged lives and understand how cruel and harsh this world can be. Everyone has an unique story, and you can't impose stereotypes upon the homeless, and lump them all into one category. They're human beings.

Glenn from Northern Canada
I actually think it's kind of nice the Liberals are sticking up for the NDP

Sean
The reason people are upset with his comments are because it comes from a member of the current government, which indicates that said government is not likely to address whatever it is that might be the cause of these people to be begging on the street.I'm not an expert on the homeless. I wonder if the people on here declaring them lazy bums ARE experts? If the experts declare that they are lazy bums.. ok... but if the experts declare that they are mentally ill people that need something done to get them off the street, then isn't that what we need to do? I don't want them on the street begging either. I'm pretty sure the cold, uncaring attitude of "pffft.. get a job, you lazy bum" isn't reducing their numbers.

Matt in Tweed
Bob in Calgary, you claim that only Liberals claim "RAW NAKED POWER"? I could have sworn that Harper passed fixed election dates and then made up a bogus excuse to bypass in order to get an election in before the recession hit?Take off you partisan glasses and think for yourself.

Evan in Athabasca
To all the Conservative bashing comments here saying nothing is getting done.Please note, work is being done in parliament, this work such as tougher crime legislation, improving military hardware, along with small incentives to assist folks and businesses while in a recession is grabbing the bull by the horns. The Liberals would not have the guts to do what the Conservatives have already done to help this great country out.

dude
insulting canadian citizens......real classy Keddy.

Tim from Alberta
I believe Mr. Keddy.I have heard the very same thing for years from people from the Maritimes that come out to Alberta to work.they laugh about the fact that EI is treated as a family business in the Maritimes........one brother works to qualify for EI,while another brother collects it. They then switch.The employer has to lay off one and hire the other.If he refuses,no one will work for him.This scam has been going on for generations.

Neil
Gotta love honesty. Too bad most politicians don't practice it. I'd personally love for more honest politicians to speak their mind....

ouifyg
Ok as some previous bloggers have said the guy may be right, some people are content to ride the bottom rail their whole lives, but seriously "no-good bastards" ?!? Is it really necessary to be so crude? This guy is a member of our government, he should be more careful about what he says. Maybe instead of insulting his constituents he should be looking for solutions for these problems, like he was elected to do.

Michael
Having read the story I conclude Keddy is right on the issue but he could have been less dramatic in his choice of verbiage although he is the MP in the area and frustrated with the laziness of the people in his area. We have those "types" here in Ottawa in the Byward Market who prefer to walk through life stoned before they sober up in hell. Sad to think some people simply just don't care while others get ridiculed for trying too hard.

former liberal
There is no need to call Liberal supporters in Halifax bad names.

Ken in Halifax
Regardless of Mr Keddy's party, I am tired of politicians saying something offensive and then simply apologizing for it. The real SAD fact here is that the vast majority of persons panhandling and/or living on the streets are not there by choice. There is a multitude of reasons and Mr Keddy and others need to get to know them and thier reasons before they attempt to judge them.

my take on this
The redneck party strikes again. There are a lot of words that I could use to describe conservatives and compassionate will never be one of them. The majority of Canadians can be very thankful Stephen Harper has a minority government. Wake up Canada, politically we are standing on very thin ice. A conservative majority government under Stephen Harper will be a 4 year nightmare and he is gearing up for another election.

Lazy Bastard from Dartmouth
Mr. Keddy .....get lost!!!!You are a national disgrace to this province!!!!With MP's like you....who needs enemies.

Feelin Alright in Calgary
There are plenty of employed people, some Politicians in fact with mental health problems. Are disadvantages and disabilities, excuses for those who are considered "less than?" Then what does it say for those who overcome them? That they in fact overcame nothing? If you are disadvantaged or considered to have a disability, then you my friend are in fact normal. So get to work! It is those who are seemingly without these impedements that are in fact abnormal.

Unemployed
All this people beleiving that you are going to be always in the strong side with a job, think twice life is very funny and you could be on the other side looking for job for very long time unable to find anything or maybe even harrassed so when you are there then see how you like the unsensitive remark of this man

Enlightened Liberal in Kingston
To Darren....You may well be correct with your comment about those who vote Conservative knowing little about the party.....But the majority of us that DID vote for the Conservatives DO know a great deal about the Liberals. Could it be that many of us put our cross next to the Tory on our ballots as a protest against years of criminal rip-offs like the sponsorship theft and watching the strutting arrogance of those we trusted to run our country?Just listen to Iffy the Magnificent strut and posture in Parliament and even a child could see that Steven Harper's greatest ally in Ottawa is this carpet-bagger clownStart to actually LISTEN to what Canadians are saying and who knows, you guys may actually get another shot at the tiller one day....But,of course, why should you ? Haven't met a Iggy tag-along yet that doesn't boast that he knows what's best for us, the great, ignorant unwashed rabble......

Vic
It demonstrated the recent in power party traditional dislike the weak and grassroots minority.

LDL in ONT
To Nick in Gatineau: I understand what your saying and I don't disagree, but you can't always paint with a wide brush. I have two daughters that work part time and go to post secondary school. They have both worked since they were 14 and have always, always, always been able to find work and summer jobs. Not only have these jobs been available, they always gave 100% and as a result were given opportunities for advancement and now have a resume that a employer for that eventual full time job will look at and say wow!So I have zero compassion for the able bodied, able minded bums that prefer to do nothing and pan handle. People maybe need to reconsider before they toss that twoonie at them, your enabling a life of uselessness.

allan
Keddy is correct, just look at Vancouver and Victoria, my area. Although there are many bonifide out of work people, there are lazy bast---ds who will not get off their rearend and work!We all know this and we as a country have to grow up and face up to truths, not play games and pretend to have solutions by wasting money on more ineffective sociaist programs. I worked in many 3rd world countries and remember people begging me to take them to Canada where they can get free money for not working. They also told me it would be better to be a street person in Canada rather than live in their own country.

Rob
He might have hit the nail on the head for a lot of these people/ riftraft, but it is a terrible insult to the actual few with "Real issues" that prevent them from working. I have extended family that were in this position. Either way, harsh words from a man in Public office, and does not reflect all PC points of view.He should remember that the rest of PCs will be grouped under his comments, and calm down a little.

Alex (Toronto)
Conservative deregulation gave us the economic collapse that destroyed jobs. Now the Conservatives in Canada want to blame the victims of Wall Street's greed. Maybe the government could prod the private sector to create an efficient labour market, then help train people to fill the jobs the economy actually needs.

mahanna ali
to CTV-i notced a couple of things in your posting criteria--one has to do with personal attacks,yet i am constantly reading our pm being referred to as an "idiot" or "buffoon" as well as fellow posters being slandered for,more often than not,their right of center views(cattle,sheep,deadheads...etc...make no mistake,we can take it...us "cons" have big shoulders...).....also there is the criterian of information being "false" or misleading"--well, who determines this?...this sounds like censorship...publish the posting anyways...i am sure that us "simpletons" will see through the bull.....one final thing...has the CTV taken a sharp turn to the left as of late or is it just me?......

Dave in Cornwall
Although part of me wants to clap and cheer Mr Keddy's outspoken comment, I have over the last few years grown somewhat cynical about the entire "working like an idiot" situation that the Canadian system has generated and even nurtured.I do not want to see starving women with children begging in the streets while assuming that they all made their own beds etc.However I have developed a somewhat grudging admiration for those among us that have made Welfare their career choice...Their "worker" takes care of any probs that crop up for them regardless, while the rest of us have to hire Lawyers and battle Government for any small benefit we feel we are entitled to...Living in a small village that is 60% welfare you don't need a pair of glasses to see the ones on welfare mostly live in a nicer house and drive a better car than those dumb enough to work 50 hrs a week for minimum wage....Great medical and dental plan, those working fools pay out thousands for their kids teeth.....Heavily subsidised housing....Can top up your beer and tobacco money with an "under the table" $6-7 an hour job.... (Someone once said this applies to only a dozen or so recipients in Ontario-if that's the case I know every one of "em!)Foodbanks,goodies at Christmas from the Sally-Ann,Red Cross,Legion etc......Free boots and snowsuits for the kiddies when the winter comes....And, of course, that nice little bonus and top up on your cheque when you get preggers yet again by that anonomous live in boyfriend...I work 72 hours a week at three jobs,three children and no benefits...Who's the fool?

Andrew
Keddy is a self-righteous pharisee that is looking down his nose at other sinners. Mental illness isn't the problem. When we get right with God our morale goes up and we get busy being productive. I am aware that pure greed and the desire to trample on somebody else is also a big motivator.

oliver
If anyone knows a no good bastard when he sees one it is a conservative.

Ian
Poor choice of words but true nevertheless. Why do farmers have to go out and hire foreign workers, who work their butts off by the way, when we have able bodied, "homeless" people who can work. These migrant workers are paid and housed so what's the deal? I know what it is, it's tough, backbreaking work and it doesn't appeal to alot of those who would rather panhandle. Yes there are legitimate homeless people out there for various reasons, but alot that I see seem healthy enough to me to get a job.

Dan
The problem with our society these days is that everyone has an advocacy group protecting their rights except hardworking, law abiding, taxpaying citizens. Nobody can say anything "mean" to anyone, no matter how true it is. There are too many people out there who claim to be homeless, and for many of them they are homeless because they don't want to abide by any rules, would rather sit around all day smoking pot and then become homeless when their fed up parents kick them out! Tens of millions are spent eack year on the "homeless" in Canada, but one wonders where all the money is really going. People commit crime, and their lawyers cry to the judge that it's not johnny's fault, but it's society's fault. People don't want to live by the rules of society and end up as lazy druggies and it's once again society's fault. Yet none of these advocacy groups really wants to get to the root of the problem, because they would be shocked at what they would find and they also could risk losing a good portion of their funding. It's a bid business, don't let anyone fool you.

becky of Calgary
Is this what they teach ih law school or whereverthese mps get their education? If shoe was on other foot would he be able to live oh UIC forawhile?Disgusted

Michael
@Ken in Halifax:There are a large percentage of people who refuse to come off the streets. That may come as a surprise but many like the street life. I would surmise that is because they are accepted there after being rejected at home so they stay on the streets. Whatever the case you would be surprised how many stay there for decades. Its a sad reality to be sure.

Linda ormiston
wanna hear a good one,, i am from winnipeg, and that panhandlers there really tick me off,, i got to the point where, i would say mcdonalds is hiring, get a damn job,, unless you are mentally unfit, or disabled there isnt a excuse for this problem,, there is no reason with housing etc anyone should be in the street, no reason at all,,,all i can say is the governement needs to get something done about it, but the insults are inacceptable,, you know what,, all our elected officials could easilty find themselves unemployed at the next election too,, so stop slinging insults it isnt becoming of office that you hold...

Dennis L. Krahn
C in Fredricton: Just because people who post here expect able bodied people to work does not make them colored with any political stripe. People who feel like this have probably worked their ass off, paid a truck load of taxes and do not want to support bums. People who have worked hard and paid taxes do not mind paying to sustain other Canadians who cannot fend for themselves due to no fault of their own.

Ryan
To all you Tory supporters,Do you know what it's like to be homeless? I didn't think so. You know what, there are lazy homeless people. BUT, there are also lazy millionaires. Homelessness does not equate to laziness.The majority of those living on the streets have underlying mental conditions. They used to be treated, but they were thrown out onto the streets because of funding cuts.And on top of that, we are in the midst of a recession people. I know people with 2 degrees that aren't able to get jobs. And these people are at employment centres from open until close.So get off your high horse and realize they aren't lazy. What Keddy said was ignorant and he deserved to say sorry.

Mark
I guarantee that if this were a Liberal MP, the CONservative supporters reading this article would be calling for his resignation.Typical CONservatives.

Jay Thompson
Let's be clear, this man, who is elected by the citizens of this country should not be calling any of us no-good bastards. Whether a person sits on the sidewalk or lives in a waterfront home, the last thing Mr. Keddy can call us is a bastard. We as taxpayers pay his salary. This is outrageous, people of all political stripes should be appalled by this behaviour. He should resign, and we should never have to pay him another dime. Thanks but no thanks Mr. Keddy we dont need you to serve this country, there are plenty of well-qualified and humble candidates in this country that can do a sincere job as MP. PM Stephan Harper should force this jerk to resign. In fact, thanks to the Conservative Party's mismanagement of the economy a lot of Canadians find themselves unemployed and without shelter. Tough times!!

R/H
I'd vote for him if he was in my riding! It's about time these things were brought out in the open, good on you Mr Keddy.

Peter in Bridgewater
I seem to recall a Liberal leader whose policies I didnt always agree with but whose candor was refreshing saying the same type thing at a whistslestop P.E.T paraphrased said something like "get off your ass and get a job"There are a preponderence of ablebodied folk on our street corners not just in HRM but in every city in this country with 500.00 worth of piercings and tatoos that simply do not want to work at menial jobs, their parents and socity in general has alowed and encouraged a misguided sense of entitlement that isnt baed in reality , Mr Keddy spoke the truth, possible in a harsher tone than needs be but the truth nonetheless

Joanne
There is alot of young and older people looking for work today. They are told they must have grade 12 or not enough experience. My son is looking for work and has been going door to door with no luck. Some people can be very rude with this people who are looking for work. Maybe he should get his grade 12 - that is not happening the EI says he has a class 1 and should be able to get a job no problem - no experience and no grade 12 makes it hard to get the job. Maybe immigrant labour is cheaper for them - maybe they help them with housing - would they do that for anybody travelling from different parts of Nova Scotia. I doubt it.

allan
I am old enough to remember that the Liberals under Trudeau destroyed the work ethic in Canada and created a welfare state. We are still suffering from these extreme left-wing policies.If we want to compete in the world, we have to work at it, period!

Vickie
Mr. Kennedy, need to say more then Sorry. What he doesn't realize is that there are some people in Halifax that lost their jobs due to the downfall of the ecomony, and some of us look hard each and every day to find work, but the skills we have are not enough. Maybe Mr. Kenndy should leave his job and try to see how hard it is to find work . Better yet maybe he should put more funding out there for the unemployed to get trainning to get Jobs.There are Poeple in Halifax who do want to work, and have Familys to support,and there are some who don't. want to work and don't care. He needs to open his eyes and look around.

Jay-TO
I think his comment is more appropriate when directed at himself. What nasty comments come from these so called "tories" when they think they are safe from scrutiny. I can only imagine what Mr. Keddy's true beliefs are. I have nightmares thinking about what the rest of the reform-conservatives caucus thinks. Wasn't it Myron Thompson who wanted to jail children? No compassion in this lot. That was killed when the PC's got absorbed by the Reformers. I could never vote for these people. And to think, they've been reined in by Harper. What would they say if Dear Leader let them speak freely. Scary. Not too mention the trash in society that has become embolden to express nastiness since right wingers took power.

Terry Dafoe
The sad truth about migrant labor is that the country's that these workers come from have a much lower cost of living. The people who take these jobs know they can take the money they earn and live quite well in the off season. To working class Canadians without ties to any other country these jobs offer a barely subsistence wage with no hope of a future. If you want Canadians to take these jobs then you have to pay a living wage that allows them some kind of life in this country. The principles of supply and demand economics would dictate that if you can't find labor to meet your needs then you have to raise your pay. The issue of bringing in migrant labor allows employers to skirt this issue altogether.

SunCoaster
C'mom tells what you really think. Is this official party platform stuff?

Craig
Ok, for all of those who do not agree with his comments. It appears that none of you actually knows what its like to live on the street. I have donated many hours/days/weeks trying to provide help to the homeless. In doing that, you get to speak to them. Here is a interesting tidbit, many of them are young people who do not get along with their family so they run awat and because...don;t want to go to school, don't like the parents rules and ...this is the number one....they don't want to work....so that is where the Tory MP is right....quit being lazy and contribute to society instead of taking advantage of the ones who do work.

DT in TO
true some unemployed are no-good b*****ds, but it is really hard to
find a job and far harder to find a good one ...unless you enjoy working at Timmy's for slave wages. Not suprising some people just give up.

Keddy should be unemployed

DH
I'm a little shocked at the number of people, I'm assuming Conservatives, who support what this guy is saying. I, too, am a Conservative voter, but I would not condone anyone being called a "lazy bastard". There's nothing about political correctness here. I simply don't think it's called for.

williamm ashley
Typical conservative elitism. Perhaps you can care about all Canadians and try to make sulutions for them rather than calling them Bastards. Its appalling that a member of parliament would call anyones constituents a bastard - basically he is calling if still applicable Mr. Day's consituents bastards, thus is calling Mr. Day a bastard, his own member? I think Mr Keddy needs to wake up and try to be constructive rather than sensationalize. We are free not slaves we can choose to work or not to work. You want people to work pay them, rather than a small group of elitists rake in millions of dollars for themselves while paying their employees nothing or not even creating jobs for them. You want workers you need meaningful employment. Some people don't wanna be farm labourers, and they shouldn't expect to be. Mr. Keddy is the bastard, who is talking BS when maybe he should be on some farm picking potatoes instead.

Jamie in Ontario
Good for you! We need more folks like you who arent afraid to speak the plain truth. Its what we are all thinking and....Thank You!!!

MRG
Some of what Keddy said was true, but for the most part, he is wrong. I am currently an unemployed person, who has been desparately trying to find a job. There are jobs out there, just the old grandfather claus seems to be the only way people are getting the slim few jobs available. There is no money in Christmas tree farming for the average Joe. THe farmers cannot expect people to travel to these harvesting areas to work for minimum wage, and try to support themselves on that small amount of money. Migrant workers will work for anything. Thats why they are more plentyful.

Nov 24 comment
And I would personally like to apologise for saying they are no good bastards in the Conservative party.It turns out that the party is full of them!

Pat S
Gerry was maybe wrong in his wording, however, most people on UIC would not consider doing this type of work. Have we created lazy workers, who are more interested in their "entitlements" than creating anything? And I don't even want to go into the "welfare" mentality.PLS - Mahone Bay

DH
@Jay - TOYet another ignorant, radical left-wing response. I'm not upper class - middle class at best. I would oppose any reduction in our health care system. I know that it's on the backs of the middle class that Canada works - the upper class can "hide" their money and the lower class pays no taxes. That leaves us. I still vote Conservative. I'm educated, just not radical. Some of the comments that come from you radical "lefties" borders on hate. But I wouldn't want to accuse you of that ... then I'd be intolerant.

Ann
jdude I could not agree with you more. He spoke the truth folks, and now he's been ordered by the "government" to take his comments back because they make his "party" look bad. How many people are out there in our welfare system that do not need to be??????? Lots - far too many in my opinion. If you need it, you need it. However, there are so many who are ABLE to work!I think people should be able to speak the truth, and their minds without the gag orders - all for the sake of being "politically correct". *eye roll*

Craig
For those of you who do not like his comments: I have worked with the homeless for many yrs. I have given my time to help them with food and clothing. In that time, you get into lots of conversations and the one thing that struck me is a big portion of the homeless are young people. The are "homeless" because they do like the house rules at home, don't want to go to school and my favorite, they don't feel like doing anything else. So that is why they are homeless. That is being lazy and the MP got it right.

Nasty Celt
There's the Conservative mindset for you. Ship all the good jobs offshore to increase your profit margin and then call the people you put out of work no-good bastards. It's always nice to know how your government really feels about you.

marie
Words were harsh but true, has nothing to do with political parties, has to do with the number of folks who do work for their 10 weeks to get their EI and then DO NOT want to work anymore as they are too busy traveling and living the big life. The comment was not made to point to anyone with any type of mental illness it was made to the able bodied folks who are to lazy to get up and make a descent living.

jerry
The only thing i can see is that employers get richer by paying mexicans less the min.wage and layoff local workers that they are paying wages they can barely live on to start. Even in the fur farming areas where that is the only employment that is available migrant wroker are being flown in at the employers expence..the rich get the gold mind and the locals get the shaft .

brian
New Definition of the word BastardA person who refuses to work, although they are unemployed and able to do so. Someone who would rather not work, avoids work or withdraws because they are lazy.

Jaimie Segal
Sir you are going to be sorry next election. Nova Scotians will not forget

Bobby
Funny as hell, the guy was right on. This political correct crap must be put aside.

Dave
Don't we all have our bad moments? Yes the MP let slip in a heated moment ..wrong wording. He hit the nail on the head, it doesn't matter which province you are in you will find people who abuse the system. get over his remark. We need to adjust our thinking to one that is more determined to overcome the mindset that we can carry on and let the government carry us if we are capable of working. Yes there will be exceptions to the rule but those that can work should give it their best effort before rolling over and playing dead

Jenn in Calgary
@ Nick in Gatineau - "Today's workforce aged between 15 and 30 are lazy. Who's to blame ? Parents and even more to the point, Politicians who are parents"While I agree that MAJORITY are (NOT ALL) are lazy, only a handful of parents can be blamed. I have watched parents try to teach teir kids ethics / morals and especially work ethics. The kids don't like it, they don't have to listen. They get coddled by the damn system. "Oh you poor babies - your parents are trying to ground you cause your a tool - don't worry we won't let them". Parents rights have been pulled away from them as parents. Our government provides handouts to the "Useless bastards" and they know they can work the system. Start making people accountable. If you are an immigrant then you better be working. If you are on welfare, you better be actively looking for work and working ANY job you find, you should also be subject to a drug test. Fail the test – no cheque. I know people who have worked at the drop in center in Calgary and the stories I have heard make me sick. Stop offering a HAND OUT when they need a swift kick in the ass. And for those who have mental disabilities - we have a great disability program FOR THOSE WHO ACTUALLY NEED IT! There are so many options for homeless - housing programs, training for a new job etc. I have always been there to help others, but watching perfectly healthy people take advantage makes me sick and we can't stop them because we are infringing on their rights. What ever happened to Hard working Canadians rights?

Robert Brise
I paid into the EI for 38 years and never collected a cent when I retired, Now I'm trying to figure out how to collect , hey! Now I know how!!!!!

al
If Mr. Keddy and the farmers are so willing to support foreign labour why would i support local?As for the apology that was only for political gain...

Professional person
Keep it real people, there are people that lost jobs because the economy is going down meanwhile he have a 50 billion deficit, people stealing money like water, and companies going to banckrupcy at the same rate that you have a cup of coffe, so how decent people should work? and this man is calling this people bastards? do you know that there is no help for a professional person that lost its job? so there are no options somehow Canada deserves better or do we got a new name such as bullies?

Mark from Brampton
I agree with the MP. He was referring to slackers, and should be commended.

Brad Hedderson
Once again, the Reform Party, err, I mean the Conservative Party of Canada wanting to turn this country back to the late 1800s. It's too bad that Ignatieff has turned into a dud of a leader. It's time for a new party to take party.What is worse was the Governor General's agreement with the Reform Party leader, Herr Harper to end parliament back in January. What she should have done was to turf that moron out and turn the country over to the Liberal-NDP coalition. THEY have the majority, not Herr Harper's minority.

melissa
Who is this guy? How can a politician be so ignorant? and be in public office?

Vickie
One way to ensure "Lazy" people work, and it is not just in NS but in all provinces. Is to make it a working welfare.If you want welfare you have to work. The government will top up the difference but you must at least hold a job earning a portion of the money you require to live off of. This will do a multitude of things. Put people back to work. Give them some pride in themselves. Lower the amount of money the government hands out. It will prove that even a low paying job can be of help to a family.Just maybe some of these "Lazy" people will get off the streets and we will not have to bring in so many immigrant seasonal workers.

Hindusan
chat.ranasaid 329 77 I am a supporter of the Liberal party. But I am with the Conservative MP on this one. I do not appreciate people who refuse to work and then live on other hard working people's tax money. Yes, they are no good to the country. I would rather have the migrants who work hard than lazy Canadians. ----------------------------------------------------------But how do you know these people have a choice. We can all say that we would not be a burden to this country by being jobless when you have a job. But you actually have been layed off its a different picture. Fix the social security net so people don't fall through the cracks, I am fine with any tax hike if it is for the good of the country.

B. Kelley, Ontario
To: C in Fredericton - Keddy was referring to the voluntary poor who are perfectly capable of working but refuse to do so, not the mentally ill homeless people. On that subject, I'm glad that you are so very concerned about the homeless as we all should be. But answer this. When was the last time you went out on a bitter cold January evening, rounded up 5 or 6 homeless people, took them to your warm home for the night and fed them a couple of good meals. Most people think that care of the homeless should be a government, church or service club responsibility and definitely wouldn't want them in their neighbourhoods let alone their clean little homes. Oh, and before you ask, "YES" I have, in fact, done it and I'm a Conservative.

Rob
He is totally right ask any employer in Canada, no work ethics, they make their own hours, constanly comming in late .Constantly making demands. I am tired of paying top dollar and benefits and only getting half the return on them. Typical Canadian attitude, service is a joke any where you go!

LM in AB
It is way to obvious that his comments were towards the Lazy Bums we all see from time to time.[In all Provinces]And not the people that want to work and have been laid off due to the economic conditions or circumstances. The system was designed for working people that need to get through a rough spot.Not for these NON taxpaying lazy people sucking up a good percentage of our hard working wages.No apology required.

paul
A couple of points here:While I would've said it differently (speaking for myself only) in honesty he's probably right about a segment of the unemployed. the danger of course is that when you make a statement like his it does paint a negative stereotype of all homeless and unemployed.What probably does have to change is the culture of entitlement meaning not necessarily if your on welfare you're lazy. I don't think this means that a mother of children should stop recieiving welfare and go off to work in the Anapolis valley because the reality is it is hard, hard work. I knew a friend in university who planted trees in Northern Ontario during his summers. Truthfully I couldn't do it but he did. Welfare is there if, if you need it or if you are suffering from extreme mental illness such as schizophrenia and are doped up on meds that you really can't function all that well. Even welfare, however, isn't that generous.Dave in Cornwall is pointing out the problem here and that is work for the sake of work is no long term alternative to well paying secure work. Why should a person work 50 -60 hours a week at minimum wage when we create a culture that encourages not working???? It isn't whether your liberal or conservative it's an issue of really addressing the needs of the job market and job seekers. Sadly, I don't have answers to achieve that but what I do know is that if you're working for minimum wage all the time it's kind've hard to see the beauty of being employed

Yvonne Campbell
Perhaps Keddy's constituents would like to see that he becomes a "no-good bastard" on the evening of our next federal election!

gadzooks
A person who lives on the street and has not seen a shower in weeks let alone clean clothes can not walk into a coffee shop and apply for a job.

Edward Vella
chat-ranasaid:"I am a supporter of the Liberal party. But I am with the Conservative MP on this one. I do not appreciate people who refuse to work and then live on other hard working people's tax money. Yes, they are no good to the country. I would rather have the migrants who work hard than lazy Canadians."What on earth are you people talking about?! Are Canadians somehow more inherently lazy than other's? What is wrong with you? I don't think I've ever heard a statement so misguided and sensationally untrue! This civil servant makes $155,000 a year and he's attacking the unemployed. Yikes!

NoCons
Another con shows its true colours.
While he sits around in is little suits waiting for a fat pension, maybe HE should go get some real work. Too old or physically unable to Keddy? So are many many unemployed people, the same people whose taxes in better pay that cushy pension. He should get his padded-seat sitting butt sued for liable. Just to put some honesty back in his mouth

SB
This seems common sense to me but if there is work available, should the unemployed not take advantage of it? Otherwise, they are basically comfortable for the rest of us working folks paying for them to sit at home. Nobody is asking them to make a career out of it, it's only a month's worth of temporary work. Have we gone so far extreme on the politically correct end that we can't apply common sense anymore?

J. Sarradet
The last time I checked this country was a democracy. For all those that wish to throw stones, and find themselves lucky enough to find themselves employed should rethink their position. Not too many people are interested in doing farm labour. Not everyone is physically capable of doing farm labour. Mr. Keddy chose to own and operate a Christmas tree farm. No one forced this upon him. His disparaging remarks regarding those unemployed Nova Scotians is out of line.

Teri
I think he is right ! It seems a lort of people today want money for doing nothing. Like the union Bas...tds Who are greedy. Sitting on your ass gets you no where unless you arein a union.

John. P.
Whose surprised by antiCanadianism from rightwingers? That's the age old gimmick of 'conservatives' - find a scape goat among their own countrymen. And there's always a few suckers willing to goosestep along to the drum. Until it's their turn. We all know why many businesses *really* hire migrant workers over Canadians. And it has *nothing* to do with "lazy" Canadians. A toast to the Canadian blue collar worker - the best in the world!

David in Sarnia
So basically, the majority are saying that anyone in a position of authority and within the public eye, has to watch what they do and say to perfection (which no one I ever knew was, is or will be, btw) but the ones that criticize and condemn them will defend their own right to be incorrect, less than perfect...and expect those that they condemn for being the same as they - imperfect and prone to being human - to defend their rights to peace and privacy...the very things they will never allow their elected officials to have...can you think of a greater hypocricy? Shame.

Ian MacIssac
And what does MP Gerald Keddy do to earn his way in our society? He lives the high life in Ottawa while begging for goverment welfare dollars for his riding. And we pay for his planes, limos, hotel rooms, meals, dry cleaning, ect.


And then he goes on a hateful tirade against those who aren't living up to his standards of materialistic greed.


Talk about no-good, a Conservative MP like Mr Keddy is the definition of the term.

Laurie
Oh my, it's Gerald again. He's the same MP who was caught holding a large government cheque with the CPC Logo on it! What a shameful comment from an MP. Disgusting! You may be right, to some degree, but you're putting everyone on EI in the same boat. Besides, you have no right to call anyone a "bastard".

Gerald, have you ever picked apples? For the average person, it works out to about $4.50 an hour, if you're lucky. No wonder the Mexicans are doing it.

Finally, Gerald, I have something that most people commenting here, don't have. What is it? Well, I live in your riding, and I 'll never vote for you again. It's as simple as that.

jackson
here is a person that finally says what needs to be said and he has to apologize for telling the truth. i would like to see a national poll set up and ask canadians do they agree with keddys statement yes or no and send the results to parliment.