OTTAWA – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday admitted heshould not be making stupid jokes in public after a quip last week promptedthe scorn of conservative commentators in the United States and elsewhere.

During a town hall in Edmonton, Trudeau interrupted a woman after she usedthe word “mankind”, saying he preferred “peoplekind”. Critics accusedTrudeau of being too politically correct.

The incident was the latest attempt at failed humor by the 46-year-oldprime minister.

“You all know that I don’t necessarily have the best of track records onjokes. I made a dumb joke a few days ago that seems to have gone a littleviral,” he told reporters in Ottawa, mentioning the “peoplekind” remark.

“It played well in the room and in context. Out of context it doesn’t playso well and it’s a little reminder to me that I shouldn’t be making jokeseven when I think they’re funny.”

Political opponents and commentators have in the past complained thatTrudeau lacks the gravitas needed to be a national leader.

In his first public remarks after a devastating wildfire ripped through anAlbertan oil-producing region in 2016, he began with a quip about the “StarWars” movie franchise. – AGENCIES