Ontario Health Minister apologizes for comments: Optometrists are ''terrorists''

Canada National Post
Nov. 07, 2005

TORONTO -- Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman has apologized for calling some members of the Ontario Association of Optometrists ''terrorists'' after a party fundraiser last week.

Association president Shirley Ha wrote a letter to members quoting Smitherman as saying optometrists are ''a bunch of terrorists, and I don't negotiate with terrorists.''

Ha said it appeared to be a reaction to the association's Preserve Your Sight Grassroots Advocacy Campaign, which is appealing for funding for primary vision care.

''The minister regrets his remarks,'' David Spencer, a spokesman for Smitherman, said Sunday. ''He's already conveyed his apologies to the association for his poor choice of words. He recognizes his comments were not helpful in the overall approach to this issue.''

Spencer said the comments were made in response to some optometrists who suggested they might withdraw some services because of concerns about fees.

Smitherman was speaking about those who considered withdrawing services from some of the province's most vulnerable, like senior citizens, Spencer said.

Conservative Leader John Tory said Premier Dalton McGuinty should also apologize for the remarks.

''This is not the first time we have heard of George Smitherman behaving this way,'' Tory said. ''He is a well-known bully and is obviously not receiving any direction from the premier about how to deal with people in our health-care system.''

''I think for a minister of the Crown, or a member of provincial parliament, or federal Parliament, to talk to any citizens that way - no matter what the disagreement is - is completely unacceptable.''

Ha has written to Liberal officials asking for an explanation, and said the optometrist association is withdrawing its membership from the Red Trillium Club, a Liberal fundraising forum.