By Canadian Press

Trudeau says sorry for sarcastic thank you comment to Indigenous protester

Mar 28, 2019 | 8:30 AM

HALIFAX — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is sorry for disrespecting an Indigenous protester during a Liberal fundraising event Wednesday in Toronto.

The prime minister is in Halifax today where he expressed regret for sarcastically thanking the woman, who was being dragged off by security, for the donation her group would have made to get into the venue.

Trudeau says he is often approached by protesters and in this case responded in a way that lacked respect, adding that he’s very sorry.

The protesters would have had to pay $1,500 to get into the room at the fundraiser at a downtown Toronto hotel; Trudeau says those funds will be returned to the protesters.

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The protester was asking the prime minister about mercury poisoning in Grassy Narrows in northwestern Ontario, where mercury dumped into the water has now poisoned three generations.

Trudeau says he will follow up with Indigenous Services Minister Seamus O’Reagan to encourage progress on the problem.

The Canadian Press