Ian Davey, the former chief of staff to Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, does not think Sun newspaper readers are “illiterate.” Rather, his off-hand comment on CTV’s Question Period Sunday was directed at the newspaper chain, its relevancy and standards of accuracy.
Regardless, his comment has touched off a firestorm, spurring Sun editorialists and reporters into action.
An editorial called Mr. Davey an “idiot” for his remarks. And the accompanying report accused the former Liberal aide of hitting “Sun Media readers below the belt.”
It all unfolded Sunday, when Mr. Davey was debating Conservative strategist Tim Powers over the issue of federal funding of a Quebec City arena. This issue has caused nothing but controversy for politicians – especially the Harper Tories, who appear divided as a result.
Mr. Powers noted there also may be some divisions in the Liberal caucus with Toronto MP Bob Rae – who was Mr. Ignatieff’s biggest competition for the leadership – quoted in the Calgary Sun, suggesting he supported federal funding.
Replied Mr. Davey: “Well, I can’t explain Mr. Rae. I’ll just say that it was once said about the Toronto Sun that it’s a newspaper for people who can’t read, so I think that probably applies to the whole chain.”
Mr. Powers warned Mr. Davey that his take on the Sun chain helped maintain that “elite image that affects the Liberal Leader.”
On Monday morning, Mr. Davey responded: “My comments were not directed at Sun readers, they were directed at the Sun papers,” he said in an email to The Globe. “Tim Powers represented a story quoting from the Sun as fact.”
“I suggested that the source was a dubious one. Not surprisingly, the Sun story was a distortion of the events,” he said.
“There was a time when the Sun was irreverent, compelling and relevant. It ceased being any of those things years ago. Sun readers deserve better.”
In fact, the report on Mr. Rae’s comments about the arena does appear slightly misleading.
Mr. Davey, meanwhile, did not just take a shot at the Toronto newspaper. The Maple Leafs were in his sights, too – and he’s a fan.
“I don’t think there are many Canadians who don’t want to see NHL hockey in Quebec City and Winnipeg again,” he said during the Question Period panel. “I’d like to see NHL hockey in Toronto.”
