Canada's PM says sorry to upright aunt

TORONTO, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Canada's prime minister apologized for an obscenity after taking heat from an elderly aunt disturbed to hear her nephew cursing on national TV.

Paul Martin muttered "Jesus Christ" after his opponent in a televised debate on healthcare had finished speaking, the Toronto Sun reported Wednesday.

Manitoba Premier Gary Doer had just said the provinces and Ottawa should take advice on healthcare from front line workers, not "tall foreheads."

A brief recess followed Martin's curse, after which he apologized publicly to Doer and his Aunt Claire.

"I have two aunts who live in Pembroke and during the break one of my aunts called me and essentially pointed out that I had used inappropriate language and suggested a bar of soap."