P.E.I. MP Wayne Easter tells vegan to 'have a T-bone steak' on Twitter

A P.E.I. MP offered up some unwelcome advice on Twitter recently, telling a vegan to "have a T-bonesteak."

Wayne Easter, who represents theMalpeque riding, was responding to a tweet in which Richelle Benoit questioned Easter and MPLawrence MacAulay on their concerns for "healthcare & the planet" after a tweet about the politicianshaving anagriculture-related meeting.

'It was just a quip'

Richelle Benoit, who goes by @richelle_bee, lives in B.C. anddescribes herself as an animal advocate.

"I didn't expect that from a member of Parliament that I would be dismissed when asking policy questions," she told CBC News.

But Benoit added she doesn't take the response to heart.

"It was just a quip, it wasn't meant to be hurtful. What I would like to see is action from government."

When contacted by CBC News, Easter said he had no idea idea Benoitwas a vegan.

"I found that out after," he said.

"I will admit, ifI had known thisperson was a veganI wouldn't have used that statement ... so that was inappropriate to say to a vegan.

"I believe very much in animal production and a variety of foods but if somebody else has a different philosophy and they want to eat other products that's entirely up to them. That's their right," said Easter.

'Attack on animal production'

Animal Justice executive director Camille Labchuk, who is from P.E.I. and grew up in Easter's riding, also waded into the online debate, along with many others.

"Her question actually deserved a serious response, especially from an MPwho's elected to voice people's concerns and listen to them," Labchuksaid.

But Easter said he did respond by tweeting that they talked about how livestock contributes to the economy,jobs,and provides healthy food.

He saidthings went downhill from there.

"I wouldn't call it a debate, I'd call it an attack," Easter said.

"I reacted maybe a little aggressively against, basically, their attack on animal production and on producers when I'm dealing with producers who are struggling to make a life."

Benoit said the discussion among politicians needs to be broader.

"They only talk about the benefits of the sector, they never talk about the negatives and there are plenty of negatives, so I'd like to see some balance."

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