Jim Prentice jokes about 'mirror' gaffe in Ottawa

Making fun of the furor over his mirror remarks, Premier Jim Prentice told an Ottawa audience Friday he has stopped talking about mirrors.

• #PrenticeBlamesAlbertans goes viral after Jim Prentice's 'look in the mirror' comment

"Thank you for that warm welcome,"Prentice saidat the annual Manning Centre convention in Ottawa. "Its a warmer welcome than Ive received on social media the last couple of days."

The premier's comments came after Prentice toldAlbertansto "look in the mirror" to find who is responsible for the province's current financial woes.

Speaking on CBC's alberta@noon Wednesday, Prentice told host DonnaMcElligottthat "in terms of who is responsible, we need only look in the mirror. Basically, all of us have had the best of everything and have not had to pay for what it costs."

Prentice told CBC's Power&Politicsthat he takes full responsibility for his own statement, but didnt apologize.

It would be a long hockey game that you get through without stumbling over your own skates at least once,Prentice said.

'They appreciate my candor'

The context of his mirrorcomment, according to Prentice, is what hes been tellingAlbertansall alongadding they appreciate my candor.

While Prentice was polishing his mirror response in Ottawa, members of his caucus were trying to avoid the issue all together.

In Red Deer for a news conference on Friday, municipal affairs minister Diana McQueen was asked about the controversy. She responded by talking about the budget and grandchildren.

"This is about all of us doing our part in difficult times," McQueen told reporters.

Several ToryMLAs in Edmontonclaimedthey were unaware of the controversy, whichshocked NDPleader RachelNotley.

"If these guys truly believe that they're not hearing anything different then I think we've suddenly had a level of tone deafness descend upon the premier's office that is somewhat unprecedented," she said.

Away from Alberta, Prentice was enjoying the supportive crowd at the Manning Centre. Referring to B.C. Premier Christy Clarks previous job as a radio talk-show host, Prentice told the audience that he may add talk show survival skills to their next bilateral meeting.