An Alberta minister is in hot water after reportedly calling the BC government “sh*theads” on Wednesday.
According to a report from the Edmonton Journal, Alberta Minister of Economic Development and Trade Deron Bilous used the slur in reference to BC’s stance on the Kinder Morgan Pipeline expansion.
“Quite frankly, ideally we need to be more collaborative with the provinces on either side of us, although BC is being a bunch of sh*theads,” the Edmonton Journal reports him saying to a crowd at the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association conference.
“But we’re going to do what we can to get the pipeline built.”
Bilous apologized after the conference, stating that the language stemmed from his frustrations over the recent pipeline dispute between BC and Alberta, though that it was the wrong choice of words.
“We are working hard to get a pipeline built so our world class energy producers can get a world class price for our oil,'” Bilous said in an email statement sent to Daily Hive.
“Like most Canadians, I’m frustrated with the BC government — but I should have used more diplomatic language yesterday morning and I’m sorry.”
Twitter was quick to take sides following reports of the minister’s words, with some people only being mad at the fact that Bilous made an apology.
Had some mad respect for @DeronBilous there for a minute. Then he apologized. For what? Being right? If you are going to stand up, dammit STAND UP!!!! Don’t back down when you get their attention.
— Literally Hitler (@hitler4real) March 15, 2018
Alberta minister @DeronBilous apologizes for being right…😄
— Heidi Marcin (@marcinheidi1966) March 15, 2018
Others were not quite as impressed with Bilous’ actions.
Doesn’t matter if it’s the NDP, UCP, Wildrose or PC’s, bilious Deron Bilous shows us why Alberta is still, and will always be, the province of bozo eruptions. #cdnpoli #bcpoli
— Denim Delinquent (@DelinquentDenim) March 15, 2018
I encountered people like @DeronBilous in the public school playground 30 years ago. I wondered (even then) what would happen when they became ‘adults.’ Now I know. #leadershipmatters
— christopher 📚 (@ALibraryAtNight) March 15, 2018