15 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, June 12, 2009 Controversial comments turns into political backbiting Continued from page 1 cer tests, has been "working around the clock" to manage the crisis. He accused the Liberals of "playing cheap politics" with the issue. Liberal critic Carolyn Bennett said she appreciated the apology, but said the medical isotope crisis still requires a change of ministers. "Minister Raitt has been incompetent up to now" in getting an alternative supply of isotopes. In a conversation inadvertently recorded in January by a then-aide and made public Tuesday by a Halifax newspaper, Raitt said she looks forward to getting credit for fixing the isotope crisis and expresses doubts about the skill of Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq. The incident sparked outrage among many cancer patients and their families who said Raitt should at the least apologize for her remarks. Ignatieff said Raitt's comments are evidence of an insensitive min- ister and the government's "deep cynicism about the issues facing our country." When Harper accused him of political opportunism, Ignatieff said: "The cheapest politics there is, is to call a crisis a career opportunity." Raitt's office said the minister apologized by phone to Aglukkaq. Raitt's refusal to apologize to cancer victims had infuriated NDP leader Jack Layton. "What the hell is wrong with these people?" he said in the Commons. "There is nothing sexy about thousands of suffering Canadians on waiting lists for cancer treatment, " said Layton. "There is nothing sexy about radiation. There is nothing sexy about losing a family member to cancer. Why will the minister not resign and the Prime Minister accept it?" Raitt said it was "ludicrous" to question the Tories' compassion. "Every member on this side of the House has unfortunately been touched by illness, sickness and, indeed, by cancer. That is what motivates us here in doing and caring for the health and safety of Canadians." She went on to slam Layton for peddling "rhetoric, conspiracy theories and personal smears." Harper's communications director, Kory Teneycke, said later that Raitt lost her father to colon cancer when she was 11 and her 36-year-old brother to lung cancer. -- Torstar News Service KENNEDY FORD OAKVILLE'S ORIGINAL DEALER THIS WEEKEND THURS., JUNE 11 9-9 FRI., JUNE 12 9-9 SAT., JUNE 13 9-6 $ Starter FREE Remote15,363 FREE Barbecue FREE Rust Proofing FREE $350 Gas Card NHL Rookie of the Year ALL NEW 2010 FORD FUSION SE FREE Oil Changes for 3 Yrs. NHL Goalie ofFREE $350 Cineplex Card the Year FREE $500 Ford Accessories NHL Fan Favourite Award Extended Warranty $500 Off ONE WITH FREE Glen Abbey Round for 2 FREE $350 Toppers Pizza EVERY FREE $350 Home Depot Card FREE Mountain Bike ENT GIVEAWAY EVERY HOUR! IFFER AD PICK YOUR PERK PURCHASE IN 3 3 CLESSteve Mason HOURS I VEH 33 2009 FORD RANGER SUPER CAB SPORT for Don't Pay ** s PLUS... 6 Month $ ym 61mi/gal F % 80 irst PaUs* ent $ hwy. On On * Vehicles 21,956 0e96t S lec ... NO CREDIT EM NO PROBL MINIMUM TRADE-IN $500 ECIALS DEMO SP n Could Eve** * You hicle Win A Ve e Over 250 vsell from $995 priced to QEW @ DORVAL OAC AXZ rules apply. Ford 5-0 program. Used vehicles only. OAKVILLE 905.845.1646 www.kennedyford.ca WYECROFT Ford test drive event. See dealer for details. DORVA V 280 SOUTH SERVICE RD. QEW