It has been more than a week since a Postmedia story was published containing a controversial comment made by Alberta Prime Minister Jason Kenney.
While speaking with Calgary Sun columnist Rick Bell, Kenney made what many believe was an insensitive comment on the origins of the COVID-19 virus in Wuhan, China.
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On Saturday, members of the Calgary Chinese community gathered outside the McDougall Center to call the prime minister and ask for a formal apology.
Some of the attendees feel that Kenney’s comments contributed to the anti-Asian discrimination and hatred that some Chinese citizens have experienced since the start of the pandemic.
“People cannot express their anger at China,” Jiannong Wu said. “They express it with us.”
Another protester, Rona Kong, feels the comments have added to her already feeling left out because of her ethnicity.
“For him to say this, I am almost afraid to say that I am Chinese.” Kong said.
“I also feel ashamed of this province in some way.”
On Saturday, the prime minister’s press secretary told Global News that Kenney had apologized during an interview on December 24.
“I mean, by the way, if anyone was offended, I apologize,” read the emailed transcript of Kenney’s apology. “If they were offended, it was certainly not their intention.
“I’m sorry if people were offended by what I said, that was not my intention. And I certainly want to thank the Chinese-Canadian community in Alberta for the tremendous care they have shown in being responsible during COVID. “
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Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley and other caucus members have asked Kenney to further address the comments.
“I think it is vitally important for this government to make that statement and make it clear that the people of Alberta come from different backgrounds, cultures and talents and they all belong here,” said Alberta NDP MLA Irfan Sabir.
Wu feels that the prime minister failed in his duties as the province’s leader.
“His job is to unite us, not divide us.”
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Reference-globalnews.ca