Canadian Politician Sorry for 'Death by Cold Cuts' Joke Surrounding Killer Outbreak
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Canada's prime minister is standing by the Conservative party's embattled agriculture minister after he sheepishly admitted to making jokes last month about a deadly bacteria outbreak linked to processed meats that killed 17 people across the country.
Minister Jerry Ritz called the crisis "a death by a thousand cuts — or should I say cold cuts," during a conference call. When told about a new death in Prince Edward Island he said, "Please tell me it's (Liberal agriculture critic) Wayne Easter."
Ritz apologized publicly Wednesday.
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Liberal party leaders have urged Prime Minister Stephen Harper to fire Ritz.
But Harper said Thursday that while the controversy is embarrassing, Ritz has done a good job and should not be punished.