Last Updated: Thursday, September 18, 2008 | 2:35 PM ET
CBC News
The office of a Conservative MP and cabinet minister has issued an apology to Algonquins in his western Quebec riding after his personal assistant allegedly made remarks that could be considered racist.
The comments allegedly made by Darlene Lannigan came at the launch of the re-election campaign of Lawrence Cannon, transport minister and Conservative Leader Stephen Harper's Quebec lieutenant.
"We would like to take this opportunity to apologize for any offence given," said the statement issued by Cannon's office.
"We also understand these comments were made in a difficult context. That is regrettable."
The Algonquins of Barriere Lake allege Lannigan, Cannon's riding office manager, told a member of their community, Norman Matchewan, that Cannon would meet with them "if you behave and are sober," and went on to make remarks about incest on the reserve, which is about 300 kilometres northwest of Ottawa.
When contacted by CBC News, Lannigan would not deny she made the remarks.
Matchewan, 25, said he did not think context in which the remarks were made were really difficult.
"We showed up in a respectful manner. We were peaceful," said the teacher and part-time police officer Thursday. "What she said was very offensive. It only goes to show how much they disrespect our community."
Cannon's office issued the apology Wednesday after being asked about the remarks by the Aboriginal People's Television Network.
The statement also said that the remarks do not reflect the views of the government of Canada, and the parties involved will meet later this week.