TORONTO, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Late night U.S. TV host Conan O'Brien is under fire in Canada for slamming its residents during a week of shows financed by the Canadian government.
Alexa McDonough of the New Democratic Party Friday charged the Canadian government was not doing enough to address slurs made against French-Canadians on O'Brien's show during his week in Toronto, reported the Toronto Sun. The Canadian government paid O'Brien $750,000 to broadcast across the border.
McDonough accused the government of funding "hatemongering" and urged officials to try and get the money back.
"This is federal money, supposedly about creating a good feeling and a good understanding about Canada that will be attractive to tourists," McDonough said. "It seems to me the effect would be exactly the opposite -- quite apart from the fact we're not supposed to be funding hatemongering."
During one of O'Brien's late night bits, the puppet Triumph the Insult Dog wandered around Quebec City's winter carnival asking questions such as "So you're French and Canadian, yes? So you're obnoxious and dull?" and saying "You're in North America ... Learn the language!"
