A Toronto city councillor apologized on Tuesday after stirring up controversy by posting a message on Twitter about meeting "hot chicks" during a city event.
Coun. John Parker posted the tweet shortly after attending a Heritage Toronto event to unveil a series of legacy plaques which will appear outside the former homes of influential Torontonians.
"Delighted and honoured to help unveil eight new Toronto heritage plaques and meet hot chicks in the bargain. I love my job," Parker posted on the social network on Monday.
Parker, a frequent Twitter user known around City Hall for his wry sense of humour, later removed the post from his Twitter page.
On Tuesday, Parker told CP24 that he was sorry if he had offended anyone with the comment.
"I've certainly learned a very effective, perhaps not so wise, way of attracting new Twitter followers," Parker told CP24 on Tuesday. "To the extent that any offence was caused, I apologize for that. That certainly wasn't the intention on my part."
Parker said he "swapped message" with Mayor Rob Ford – who had told reporters he would speak with the councillor -- although the mayor was not the reason he decided to issue the apology.
"I wouldn't have wanted to distract from the significance of the day's event. It was an important event where a number of significant people were honoured and recognized," he said.
The Heritage Toronto plaques honoured Celia Franca, Jane Jacobs, William James and Marshall McLuhan, among others.
While the "hot chicks" comment raised some eyebrows, it is unclear whether anyone has been offended by the observation.
Rebecca Carson, communications director for Heritage Toronto, told the Toronto Star that the tweet was "surprising," but that she was not offended. Carson met Parker at the event and complimented him on his humourous postings.
Heritage Toronto's only mention of the incident on Twitter was a reply to Parker, thanking him for appearing at the event.
Coun. Janet Davis also tweeted about the comment on Monday, stating she was glad Parker had refused to apologize.
