Hehr facing new complaint of being condescending

Alberta woman says comment had her ‘jaw on floor’ Hehr’s comments after hearing the experience of thalidomide survivors this week who said they felt belittled by Hehr’s approach in a fall meeting.

The minister needs to be more sensitive in his interactions, McCrea said.

“I was very sympathetic to that group. I was just like ‘Oh no, he’s done it again,’ ” she said.

“It literally put me back to that conversation that I had with him where ... he’s going to bull you over and say whatever he wants to say.”

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh expressed shock when he learned of the latest allegations facing Hehr on Thursday.

“Wow,” Singh said in an interview.

“He can’t be talking about violence against women like that. We need our leaders to be denouncing violence against women and in no way making light of it.”

In a statement, Hehr said he recalls the conversation with McCrea, adding he felt like he was backed into a corner when he was asked why Ottawa wants to continue to fight sick women.

“When speaking to people I tend to be very straightforward, however, I understand my comments can be brash and sometimes even inappropriate,” Hehr said.

“I regret my comments and I sincerely apologize. As I’ve said before, I’m committed to taking steps to better myself.”

Stephen Moreau, a lawyer in McCrea’s case, said that when Hehr made the comments in 2016, the legal team was trying to afford Ottawa an opportunity to fulfil a pledge to address the matter.

He said making Hehr’s comments known would have been an “unnecessary distraction” but said the remarks are seen in a new light given federal inaction to date on the case.