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The comment was interpreted as sexist by some bloggers and during Monday’s question period, NDP MP Megan Leslie of Halifax asked Ashfield to confirm he made the comments.

“I’m glad the member opposite is following the newscast and our talk about the federal budget. It was a great day to promote our budget on Friday and we had significant interest in it,” Ashfield, a Fredericton MP since 2008, replied.

Leslie shot back: “Leave it to the Conservatives to encourage young women to get married as part of their economic action plan, but his comments were disrespectful …. In other words, ‘There, there, stop planning for your future.”

Ashfield then said the NDP could find little with fault in their budget if that was what they were choosing to ask about during question period.

In a follow-up email to the Post Ashfield further clarified his comments.

“My comments to Grace Moreno have been taken out of context and were simply meant to compliment her on her genuine hospitality,” he wrote. “Ms. Moreno is a gifted and active young member of her high school and our greater community. And she has a great future ahead of her.

“I am proud of our youth and I appreciate the contributions that she and other youth continue to make to our community and country.”

But neither response seems unlikely to quell the criticism from detractors.

“In what universe is it acceptable to tell a young woman that she’s going to make someone a great wife one day?” political analyst Lisa Kirbie wrote on her website, drawing attention to the comment.

“Shame on Conservative Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield, and shame on this entire government. I sure hope he, and his boss, get asked about this tomorrow.”