Canada politician sorry for Pakistan 'suicide bomber' joke

Nov 04, 2011 |

Agencies

Toronto

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John Crosbie, Newfoundland and Labrador's lieutenant-governor in Canada, has issued an apology after taking fire for a joke about Pakistan and suicide bombers.

Pakistani students from the Memorial University of Newfoundland slammed the politician for the 'shocking' comment and said the joke was 'not in the spirit of Newfoundland'.

Crosbie cracked the joke last week at a swearing-in ceremony for ministers. He said: "I called a suicide hotline. I got a call centre in Pakistan. When I told them I was suicidal, they got all excited and asked me if I could drive a truck."

Following the uproar, the politician apologised saying 'it wasn't a racist comment'.

"I'm not a racist. Never have been, but they're sensitive about it apparently. I'm not going to get into any argument with them, except notice their opinion and I'm sorry that they were disturbed," he said.

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