Calling a journalist fat was teasing: ex-politico

Former politician Guy Julien said that the comments he made about journalist Marie-Claude Julien’s weight were meant as a joke, though he said it was in bad taste.

“I’m a guy who likes to tease,” said Julien at a press conference on Wednesday in Trois-Rivières that he convened to answer questions about the controversy.

Julien shouted at the journalist from Radio-Canada on Thursday following a report that he believed had smeared him. The report questioned the remuneration that he and fellow former politician Yvon Picotte received from recycler Groupe RCM. Julien is the vice-president of the company; Picotte is the chairperson.

Julien also approached the journalist, stroked her hair, and told her that she had gotten fatter. The exchange was picked up by a microphone.

Recounting the story, Julien admitted that he’d told the reporter that she had gained weight, but added additional elements.

“I told her, ‘I saw you, I think you’ve gotten fatter.’ It was said in a playful tone. Except that I realized that I’d shot myself in the foot because the face she made ... I thought, “whoops”. So I said, ‘Marie-Claude, I did not mean to offend you, I apologize, that wasn’t my intention.’ ” Marie-Claude Julien had not reported receiving any apology.

Picotte sent a letter of apology to Radio-Canada on Friday, but claimed not to have heard Julien’s comment about the journalist’s weight.

The Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec and the Conseil du statut de la femme both had strong reactions to the case. The Fédération said it was an attempt to intimidate a journalist, and the Conseil called it a form of misogyny.

“Those who know me know that I am not a misogynist,” said Guy Julien.