Environment Minister Catherine McKenna has been called “Climate Barbie” several times before, but someone took that jab to the next level by sending McKenna a Barbie doll in the mail on Monday.
McKenna had the perfect response, just in time for the holiday season.
“Someone mailed this to my office. How hilarious. I’m going to assume you meant to send this to a Christmas toy drive. Happy to do that on your behalf!” she posted to Twitter.
Someone mailed this to my office. How hilarious. I’m going to assume you meant to send this to a Christmas toy drive. Happy to do that on your behalf! pic.twitter.com/ykX30lvdBh
— Catherine McKenna (@cathmckenna) November 20, 2017
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Followers were quick to respond with support for the minister’s reaction.
Fwiw, I kind of dig her outfit. I’m tempted to offer you a trade for one of my old ones. ;) In all seriousness, sorry you have to get this stuff, Catherine.
— Michelle Rempel (@MichelleRempel) November 21, 2017
When they go low, we go high. Bravo
— Sarah Loewen (@sarahloewen) November 21, 2017
McKenna has not been shy when it comes to her thoughts on being called “Climate Barbie.”
This past September, Conservative MP Gerry Ritz called McKenna “Climate Barbie” on Twitter, which prompted a quick response from McKenna and her supporters.
“Do you use that sexist language about your daughter, mother, sister? We need more women in politics. Your sexist comments won’t stop us,” she wrote.
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Ritz apologized after his initial tweet, following the backlash. His tweet has since been deleted.
“I apologize for the use of Barbie, it is not reflective of the role the Minister plays,” he wrote in a tweet.
In November, McKenna called out a reporter from far-right site The Rebel at a press conference for referring to her as “Climate Barbie.” The term appears in articles on The Rebel site, and the reporter himself has called her that.
"The reason I'm asking you not to do this is because I have two daughters," McKenna said at the press conference. "There are lots of girls that want to get into politics and it is completely unacceptable that you do this."
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The reporter, Christopher Wilson, argued that she avoided answering his question by turning attention instead to the “Climate Barbie” issue.
1. Tonight I asked @cathmckenna a question about B.C.’s Site C dam. Instead of answering, she demanded that The Rebel stop criticizing her.
— Christopher Wilson (@VanCity_Chris) November 4, 2017
Others, though, showed support and appreciated her thoughts on the matter.
It’s people like @cathmckenna that give the rest of us the courage to speak out against sexist comments. Kudos, Minister! https://t.co/HybP5l5MVg
— Julia O'Hanley ☃️ (@ohanleyjk) November 4, 2017
Rebel Media Article bylined by Christopher Wilson refers to “Climate Barbie” https://t.co/8R0DwI3VTW Wilson says he never used that term
— David Akin 🇨🇦 (@davidakin) November 3, 2017
Given her gift in the mail this week, it is clear there is still work to be done when it comes to gender equality in politics. Global Citizen campaigns on issues related to gender equality like this one. You can take action here.