Elsie Wayne

Thursday January 30, 2003

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday January 30, 2003 Sweating the Sweater Stuff Defence Minister John McCallum came under a barrage of unfriendly fire yesterday when he made a "flippant" remark about Tory MP Elsie Wayne's glistening sweater. The comment came after Wayne asked the minister if special paint to identify Canadian armoured vehicles in the battlefield would be used to ensure our soldiers didn't become victims of friendly fire. "What steps has the minister of defence taken to obtain the necessary marking system to avoid any more tragic losses?" Wayne asked as the sequined pattern in her black sweater shimmered under the Commons lights. "If our soldiers were to wear the dress of the honourable member ... they would be very well identified," shot back McCallum to the laughter of some Grit MPs. "It was a sexist remark and it was a remark that trivialized a very serious question - quite literally about the life and death of Canadian Forces in service," grumbled Tory Leader Joe Clark outside the Commons. A furious Wayne demanded an apology. (Source: CBC News) Canada, Elsie Wayne, clothing, Christmas, John McCallum, Parliament, sexismÊ

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday January 30, 2003

Sweating the Sweater Stuff

Defence Minister John McCallum came under a barrage of unfriendly fire yesterday when he made a “flippant” remark about Tory MP Elsie Wayne’s glistening sweater.

The comment came after Wayne asked the minister if special paint to identify Canadian armoured vehicles in the battlefield would be used to ensure our soldiers didn’t become victims of friendly fire.

“What steps has the minister of defence taken to obtain the necessary marking system to avoid any more tragic losses?” Wayne asked as the sequined pattern in her black sweater shimmered under the Commons lights.

“If our soldiers were to wear the dress of the honourable member … they would be very well identified,” shot back McCallum to the laughter of some Grit MPs.

“It was a sexist remark and it was a remark that trivialized a very serious question – quite literally about the life and death of Canadian Forces in service,” grumbled Tory Leader Joe Clark outside the Commons.

A furious Wayne demanded an apology. (Source: CBC News)