N.L. status of women minister blasts Hearn for making joke about fat wife

Speaking at a conference in central Newfoundland last weekend, Hearn joked about a sign posted by a phone booth in Ireland when the country still used pounds for its currency.

"Direct line to heaven, leave 300 pounds," Hearn said. "One of my buddies was over there and he left his wife."

Joan Burke, who also serves as the province's education minister, wasn't in attendance and didn't hear the joke, but said she was offended by it nonetheless.

"I think we've got a clear example here of a government that does not respect women," Burke told reporters Thursday.

LINK: Full article at Canadian Press