BRAMPTON — A video containing a controversial comment by Brampton’s new fire chief about diversity and his love of curry was pulled from the city’s internal website in response to a complaint from at least one employee.

It was removed soon after it was posted, according to the city, and now the chief is apologizing. He says the comment was taken “out of context” and he meant no offense.

The five-minute video of Chief Michael Clark – made for employees – shows him sitting at his desk, and was created to update the city’s firefighters and fire staff on internal projects and initiatives, according to city spokesperson Megan Ball.

But a six second “off-the-cuff” comment by Clark, who says he is known for his love of curry, was labeled as offensive by at least one employee. A complaint to the city’s CAO was passed on to Clark and he pulled down the video.

“It saddens me that someone took offense,” he said.

In the clip that was later sent anonymously to The Guardian, Clark said, “I of course live here and I love the diversity in Brampton, and that’s maybe because I especially love curry.”

“There needs to be some accountability for saying something so stupid,” said the anonymous complainant. “He's the face of the city’s fire department...”

The video was removed Oct. 7, a day or two after it was posted, and Clark says he intends to make a new video apologizing, and explaining his comment.

“I’m really embarrassed that it (the comment) was taken quite out of context,” he told The Guardian. “I’m saddened that that was the message people took away from it.”

The context lacking, he said, was a personal knowledge of him.