More foul language from Pat Martin has opponents calling for personal apologies

Winnipeg Centre NDP candidate Pat Martin says he's sorryfor language he's used on the campaign trail in the past week,but two of his opponents want personal apologies from the longtime MP.

"Over the last few days I have used some intemperate language that I regret," Martin wrotein a statement posted on his website on Sunday night.

"I would like to offer an unreserved apology to my fellow candidates and to anyone else who may have taken offence to the tone and content of these remarks.

"I hope we can move past this and return to having a healthy discussion of the issues affecting Winnipeg Centre voters."

• Read the full statement from Pat Martin below

It started when avisibly frustrated Martin washeard saying "son of a bitch" as he was grilled by Green Party candidate Don Woodstock during a forum on downtown issues on Sept. 16.

Martin, who has represented Winnipeg Centre for the New Democrats since 1997, could also be seen saying "f---ing prick," butmicrophones at the debate did not pick up that remark as clearly.

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Martin again employed salty language in a Huffington Post article published over the weekend, callingLiberal candidate Robert-Falcon Ouellette a "political slut" and saying he's"fullof s--t."

He also took a shot at Ouellette's wife bysuggesting that she's too afraid to go downtown, which is part of the Winnipeg Centre riding.

Martin was not available for an interview on Monday, his campaign manager told CBC News.

On Monday, OuellettesaidMartin's remarks are pushing buttons, but he's loathto respond to them.

"Honestly, you want to take the high road; you don't want to be that guy just slinging mud," he said in an interview.

A couple days after the forum incident, federal NDP Leader TomMulcaircalled Martin "a very determined, very passionate man" who has "done an amazing job in Winnipeg Centre over so many years," but healso acknowledged the longtimeMP'spenchant for "colourful" language.

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Mulcairadded that it is important for all candidates to be respectful and careful with what they say.

Woodstock wants personal apology

Woodstock said while he's aware that an apology has been issued, he believes Martin should speak to him personally.

Martin's comments were insulting and could be considered misogynist, Woodstock said, adding thatthey do nothing to address the issues in what he said is one of Canada's most impoverished ridings.

"The people in the community where I live want to hear how we are going to solve the poverty, how are we going to prevent 30 per cent of the community using food banks," Woodstocksaid.

Ouellettesaid while he accepts Martin's apology, he thinks the New Democrat should personally apologize to his wife, Catherine Cantin.

The comment in question was likelyfuelled by a remark Cantin made in a CBCprofile of Ouellette, who was running for mayor in 2014, about the negative press she had heard about Winnipeg before they moved to the city.

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In the profile, Cantin admitted that what she had heard about crime in Winnipeg drove them to the suburbs, but she added that she no longer feels worried about safety.

"For me, the characterization that my wife is afraid of going downtown is completely false," Ouellette saidMonday.

"She serves at a soup kitchen, she goes downtown with three kids by herself. She comes to events with me all the time."

Communist Party candidateDarrellRankin, who also took part inthe downtown forum last week, said he views the war of words between Martin andWoodstockas something personal between the two men.

As well,Rankinsaid he believes some of Martin's remarksare derogatory against women.

"Why are politicians using those words?"Rankinsaid. "That's what the media should be asking. Maybe they [the candidates] don't have answers to problems in the riding."

Focus on issues, candidates say

Both Woodstock and Ouellette said they want tofocus on the issues faced by people in Winnipeg Centre.

"I would love to bring them back to the table on the issues," Woodstock said.

"At the end of this campaign, whether myself,Ouellette or Mr. Martin wins, people of this riding are still going to have issues that need to be resolved."

Ouellette said there could be an opportunity to use the heightened media coverage of Winnipeg Centre to look closely at issues in the riding, such as transit infrastructure, poverty and the number of children in government care.

"Let's talk about the real issues," he said. "Let's talk about pulling people out of the gutter here."

Conservative candidate Allie Szarkiewicz, who did not attend the forum last week,did not respond to a request for comment on Monday.

Pat Martin's full statement

The following statement was posted on Martin's websitelate Sunday:

Over the last few days I have used some intemperate language that I regret. I would like to offer an unreserved apology to my fellow candidates and to anyone else who may have taken offense to the tone and content of these remarks.

I hope we can move past this and return to having a healthy discussion of the issues affecting Winnipeg Centre voters.

Those of us who have lived and worked in the community have together transformed Winnipeg Centre into one of the most diverse, innovative, and exciting places to live in Canada. We love Winnipeg Centre and I look forward to continue serving the community.