I tried, but unfortunately Iris Evans will not be appearing on our show to speak to her comments about working parents.
I did recieve a prompt return phone call as well as an email from Jason Maloney, Communications- Finance and Enterprise, with his apologies:
Hi Wendy,
Minister Evans has provided the below statement in follow-up to the comments that have been reported on in the media.
“Raising a child is the most important responsibility in our society, and my comments were a reflection of its importance to me personally.
“The references I made to parenting were in respect to a question about financial literacy and making sure children understand the value of a dollar. My intent was to point out that understanding money and finances starts at home, not in the schools. And I was specifically pointing out that my three sons have done a better job than I had in passing this on.
“I understand some people were offended by some of what I said. I did not intend to suggest there is only one way to raise a child. Having worked for most of my adult life while raising kids, I understand no situation is the same and that parents have to make difficult choices that are in the best interests of their children, and I applaud them for making these choices.
“I do believe that spending time teaching values and coaching their children as well as loving them is the biggest gift parents can provide. And I also believe that most parents do this.”
I would imagine that she and her staff have had quite the week after all of this…
I am curious with all the media attacks on polititians wording, since when did we become a nation when we weren’t allowed to have an opinion on something? She wasn’t telling people what they had to do, not what they should do, she was just stating her opinion, as well as the deal with Doug Elniski. It’s sad.
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:51 am