Not a great news weeek for Simcoe-Grey MP Helena Guergis lately: on Thursday, hubby Rahim Jaffer makes another court appearance, and appears to be headed to a plea bargain; on her birthday on Friday, she’s late for her plane heading out of PEI, and just because she’s a little, uh, curt with employees, has to make with an apology…
And on Monday, this locally, and this internationally…
February 26, 2010 at 7:58 am
The Guergis Train Wreck rolls on……
By Joan Bryden , The Canadian Press
OTTAWA – A junior cabinet minister in the Harper government says she’s sorry for throwing a tantrum at Charlottetown airport, during which she allegedly yelled at staff and complained about being “stuck in this hell hole.”
Helena Guergis, minister of state for the status of women, issued a written statement Thursday saying she was “rushing to catch a flight” last week and “spoke emotionally” to airport staff.
“Regardless of my workload and personal circumstances, it was not appropriate and I apologize to airport and Air Canada staff,” she wrote.
“It was certainly not my intention to create any additional stress for airport or Air Canada employees who already have a very difficult job.”
Guergis, who represents the Ontario riding of Simcoe-Grey, also stressed her fondness for P.E.I.
“My father was born in Summerside and many of my relatives still live on the Island, which I love and visit almost every year … To me, it is a very special place that demonstrates the best Canada has to offer. I wish to express my appreciation to all the hard-working people who make it so welcoming.”
The Conservative MP’s mea culpa came on the heels of an anonymous letter sent to P.E.I. Liberal MP Wayne Easter, detailing the minister’s alleged conduct as she attempted to board an Air Canada flight to Montreal on Feb. 19.
Easter, who says he spoke with staff named in the letter, said: “There’s no question the letter’s absolutely accurate.”
The Liberals released the letter to The Canadian Press and other media.
Guergis’s office did not respond to an email asking if the details in the letter are accurate.
According to the letter, Guergis and an aide were at the Air Canada ticket counter five minutes before the flight was to depart and they were “being so difficult and rude” they were almost denied permission to board.
“They berated (the ticket agent) loudly and treated him in a most condescending manner after he told them some of their excessive bags were too large to be carry-on and should be checked,” according to the letter.
At security screening, the writer says Guergis initially refused to remove her boots, which set off the metal detector. She then “huffily” removed her boots, “slammed” them into a bin and groused to the security screener: “Happy f**king birthday to me. I guess I’m stuck on this hell hole.”
Guergis’s birthday is Feb. 19.
Told at one point that she should have checked in at least two hours before her flight’s departure time, the writer says Guergis shouted: “I don’t need to be lectured about flight time by you. I’ve been down here working my ass off for you people.”
Once she cleared security, Guergis allegedly tried to force open a locked door from the pre-boarding area on to the tarmac, where her plane was waiting. Told to wait for an Air Canada representative, Guergis and her aide instead began “screaming and hammering on the soundproof tinted glass that separates pre-board from airside,” apparently hoping to catch the attention of an airline representative.
Easter said “anybody else would have been arrested” for such behaviour.
Guergis’ apology landed the same day that her cabinet colleague, Transport Minister John Baird, announced a hike in the airport security tax to pay for tighter security.
Guergis’ husband, former Edmonton Tory MP Rahim Jaffer, is facing charges of cocaine possession and drunk driving. His case is expected to be settled by a plea bargain March 9.
February 26, 2010 at 8:39 am
There seems to be some confusion over whether Guergis thinks PEI is a hell hole or a shit hole. This from the Globe and Mail:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/airport-worker-says-guergis-meltdown-among-worst-hes-seen/article1482043/
February 26, 2010 at 11:04 am
[...] and was enraged when that wasn’t the case. I wonder how the folks in Helena’s riding feel of her performance of late. Tags: Helena Guergis | Category: Canadian Politics | Leave a [...]
February 26, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Helena is in a big “hole” and she deserves it.
Good to see that the Admiral is alive and kicking.
Hope that comes out again for the Collingwood municipal election.
February 28, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Joannie Rochette….Grace, poise, quiet courage in the face of a terrible personal loss….a very wonderful example for young Canadian women.
Helena Guergis….(in my opinion)a rude, potty-mouthed bully. Not the kind of woman parents want their daughters to emulate. Yet Harper hand picked her to serve as minister for status of women. Steve, you should do better for Canadian women.