Quebec network apologizes for saying mosques sought exclusion of women at worksite

French-language network TVA has apologized for a baseless report that said members of two Montreal mosques asked for female construction workers to be excluded from a nearby site.

The TV network’s management posted a short statement online Friday, one day after mentioning the debunked story on air.

The network said Friday the report was based on comments Tuesday by two entrepreneurs whose versions subsequently changed.

The brouhaha erupted when TVA initially reported the mosques had requested the no-women policy for the construction site during the busy Friday prayer sessions.

A day later, mosque officials dismissed the report and said they had only asked for parking to be available on Fridays.

The provincial government referred the matter to the Quebec Construction Commission. Commission president Diane Lemieux said Thursday there was absolutely no evidence that mosque members asked for female construction workers to be excluded from the nearby site.