Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford faced intense criticism after comparing NDP Leader Andrea Horwath talking to listening to “nails on a chalkboard” on Wednesday, prompting calls for him to apologize — calls subsequently rejected in a statement from his press secretary.
“Why don’t you come and join us to support the people of Ontario for once, rather than just sit there and criticize and criticize?” Ford said during a sitting of the legislature.
“It’s like listening to nails on a chalkboard, listening to you.”
Horwath role it is to scrutinize a sitting government, holding its officials to account, a job that necessitates questioning ministers during question period.
Ford’s comments prompted swift social media condemnation, where they were widely criticized as sexist.
“We need to address the misogynistic, sexist attitude of this Premier and his government,” NDP education critic Marit Stiles tweeted.
Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca also tweeted, stating: “Misogynistic rhetoric like this has no place in the Ontario Legislature.
“It’s really not about me personally. It’s about the fight that I have and that I bring here to Queen’s Park on behalf of everyday families, the criticism as well as the proposals. At the end of the day, when the premier doesn’t like being questioned, doesn’t like being criticized, he goes to the worst possible place. That’s just who he is,” said Horwath.
“I think he owes the people of Ontario an apology,” she added. “This kind of behaviour from a premier is wholly inappropriate and it’s unfortunate he doesn’t see it that way.”
A spokesperson for the premier responded: “The premier condemns any and all forms of misogyny and sexism.”
Pressed on whether Ford saw his own comments as sexist, his press secretary, Ivana Yelich, said the premier had been expressing his “frustration” with the NDP’s approach on issues surrounding COVID-19.
“The Opposition’s attempt to turn this into something that it’s not is disappointing, especially at a time when the premier has repeatedly called on the opposition parties to join the government in a Team Ontario approach fighting this pandemic,” she added.
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