Yahoo News Canadian MP sorry for 'Barbie' jibe at female minister
A Canadian MP has been forced to apologise after referring to a female minister as “climate Barbie” on Twitter.
Gerry Ritz sparked outrage on social media after he made the comment about Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna.
Mr Ritz was replying to a tweet linking to a climate report when he wrote: “Has anyone told our climate Barbie!” The tweet was then deleted.
Ms McKenna, who is also a gender equality campaigner, hit back at the post, saying Mr Ritz’s words were “sexist” and asking if he’d speak about any of his female family members in that way.
For all who didn't see what's being referred to: pic.twitter.com/yo7nvUZKVs
— Wynn Rederburg (@WynnRederburg) September 20, 2017
The MP sent the tweet in reference to a report about major industrialised nations not meeting the targets set by the Paris climate-change accord.
Do you use that sexist language about your daughter, mother, sister? We need more women in politics. Your sexist comments won't stop us. https://t.co/WVMnm7EyEY
— Catherine McKenna (@cathmckenna) September 20, 2017
Ms Mckenna later retweeted two posts which branded the Barbie comment a “sexist garbage label” and spoke about a “repellent sexist campaign” against her.
Canada’s Minister of National Defence said Mr Ritz’s words were “unacceptable”:
As a proud feminist, I am disappointed in the recent and unacceptable comments about my colleague @cathmckenna by @GerryRitzMP
— Harjit Sajjan (@HarjitSajjan) September 20, 2017
While the Associate Minister of National Defence branded the Barbie comment “shameful”:
Wow, that will encourage more women to consider a career in politics. This is what we still have to deal with? #shameful #cdnpoli #its2017
— Sherry Romanado (@SherryRomanado) September 20, 2017
Catherine McKenna thanked her followers for their support, adding that it “matters that you call people out”:
