Canadian radio
host suspended for antigay slur

A Canadian radio host was taken off the air until further notice for calling openly gay Parti Quebecois leader Andre Boisclair a "tapette," which is a derogatory name meaning "homosexual." The host, Louis Champagne, was taken off the air of radio station CKRS in Saguenay by Corus Quebec on Tuesday, reports The [Montreal] Gazette. Isabelle Thellen, a spokesperson for Corus, would not release any more information other than to say that Champagne and company executives would meet "as soon as possible." In a press release, the company said that Champagne's statements on his February 27 show were "deemed unacceptable" and that they "do not represent the views of Corus Quebec." The Gazette reports that an investigation on the incident is under way and that Champagne will be suspended from broadcasting his show until the conclusion of the investigation. (The Advocate)