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Manitoba Liberal apologizes for saying paralyzing crash was a ‘gift’

Independent MLA Steven Fletcher has been vocal on organ donation and assisted suicide.
Independent MLA Steven Fletcher has been vocal on organ donation and assisted suicide. THE CANADIAN PRESS / Fred Chartrand

A Manitoba politician is apologizing for saying a highway crash that left one of her colleagues a quadriplegic was a gift.

Judy Klassen, a Liberal legislature member, made the remark to former MP Steven Fletcher, who sits as an Independent in the Manitoba legislature.

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Fletcher nearly died when his vehicle hit a moose in 1996 and cannot move his limbs.

Fletcher was debating a bill on moose hunting this week when he said he wouldn’t mind seeing moose wiped out.

RELATED: Steven Fletcher wants to return to federal politics

Klassen asked him to withdraw the remark and said a moose gave him the gift of being a spokesman for people in his condition.

Klassen said she later emailed Fletcher to apologize and hopes to make a more public apology in the legislature next week.

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