Would Freedom Fries Have Been Acceptable?

Embassy sorry for controversial Canada Day invite

Updated Wed. Jul. 2 2008 10:19 PM ET

The Canadian Press

MONTREAL -- The Canadian embassy in Washington is apologizing after it sent out a Canada Day invitation which showed Samuel de Champlain, the founder of Quebec City, holding a plate of poutine.

Jean-Paul Perreault, the president of Imperatif francais, a group that defends and promotes the French language, called the embassy's behaviour "contemptuous and unacceptable."

"It's ridiculous, it's a.....lack of respect towards the Canadian identity which proudly includes French-speaking communities," he said in an interview Wednesday.

Poutine is a popular Quebec dish that consists of french fries topped with fresh cheese curds and covered with brown gravy.

"If it was a joke, it was a joke in bad taste which we can't allow as part of the activities of a (Canadian) embassy," he added.

Perreault said several citizens also complained to Imperatif francais about the invitation.

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