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OTTAWA — Ontario Liberal MP David McGuinty apologized Wednesday and resigned his post as the party’s natural resources critic after he said Alberta MPs need to take a nationwide view of energy policies or go home.

“I would like to unreservedly and unequivocally apologize for comments which I made with respect to parliamentary colleagues from the province of Alberta. My words in no way reflect the views of my party or leader, and I offer my apology to them as well as my colleagues from Alberta,” McGuinty, an Ottawa MP, said in a statement Wednesday.

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“I hold all Parliamentarians in high esteem, and I regret my choice of words, as I can understand the offence they have caused. I have offered my resignation as energy and natural resources critic to my leader, and he has accepted. I look forward to continuing to serve my constituents in the House of Commons.”

The apology by McGuinty and resignation of his critic’s post came a few hours after interim Liberal leader Bob Rae offered an unreserved and unqualified apology for McGuinty’s comments, which prompted sharp rebukes from the Conservatives and could threaten the Liberals’ chances of winning a byelection next week in Calgary.