PC MHA under fire for critical comments about daughter of former Come By Chance mayor
CBC
A Newfoundland and Labrador politician is fielding criticism after reportedly calling a former town councillor's daughter "childish" for tweeting about the ongoing political drama in their small Newfoundland outport.
PC MHA Jeff Dwyer has come under fire for those comments, which he's alleged to have made this week during a phone call to the home of former Come By Chance acting mayor Kathy Paul.
The newest chapter in the saga comes at the height of a wave of controversy in the small town — one that's playing out over social media, in public, in council chambers and in the courts.
Kathy Paul's husband, Andre Paul, said Dwyer called their adult daughter, Jasmine Paul, "childish" and that her candid tone on Twitter "needs to stop," comments that are being described by Andre Paul as sexist.
"I was blown away," Andre Paul told CBC News on Friday.
Dwyer, who represents the district of Placentia West-Bellevue, did not respond to interview requests. But in a statement attributed to him, and issued by the PC Party's communications team, Dwyer said "it's clear the Paul family is upset regarding our phone call and for that I offer my sincere apologies."
CBC News spoke with Kathy and Andre Paul on Friday. Both refused to do a recorded interview, but Andre accused Dwyer of being a bully, and said his comments devalued his daughter because of her gender.
"Whey didn't he call Jasmine himself?" Andre asked.
Andre Paul said Dwyer called their home just before noon on Wednesday, the day after Kathy Paul abruptly resigned as acting mayor, leaving the town of just over 200 citizens without any elected representation on the seven-seat town council.
Andre Paul said Dwyer asked to speak with Kathy, but she was not available, so Andre said he engaged in a conversation with the MHA.
"[Dwyer] said he just wanted to say that he supported Kathy at that town hall meeting," Andre wrote.
Andre Paul was referring to a tense public meeting at the Come By Chance Lions Club late last week, which took place in the wake of a Feb. 3 council meeting during which four elected members were dismissed for an alleged breach of conflict of interest rules.
Kathy Paul presented the report that resulted in the removal of her four colleagues. She came under intense criticism at the public meeting later in the week, and said she was booed and shouted at by citizens when she tried to speak.
Dwyer was also present at the meeting, and sat with former mayor Keith Best, one of the four members ejected from council, said Kathy Paul.
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