Canadians who casually insult the United States are putting jobs and the long-term economic health of this country at risk, Industry Minister David Emerson says. Asked about Liberal MP Carolyn Parrish's recent gibe about American "idiots," Emerson said, "I think we need to have a national discussion so that we eliminate any doubt from people's minds that we have a very, very important stake in our relationship with the United States."
"And if we value our communities and our jobs and the jobs for our kids and our grandkids, we better come to terms with that."
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Last week, Parrish (Mississauga-Erindale) told a small demonstration on Parliament Hill in support of Liberal MPs who oppose Canadian participation in the U.S. missile defence program: "Make sure people understand, we are not joining the coalition of the idiots, we are joining the coalition of the wise." Parrish refused to withdraw the remark when asked to do so later by Prime Minister Paul Martin.
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