ST. JOHN’S – A cabinet minister in Newfoundland and Labrador broke down in tears in the legislature after days of uproar over her use of artificial intelligence in a social media post.
Tourism Minister Andrea Barbour apologized in the legislature on Wednesday for using AI to alter a photo of The Rooms provincial art gallery, which she shared on social media.
Her apology came after repeated questions this week from Opposition Liberal members and widespread criticism online from the public.
Barbour says the treatment and repeated questioning amounted to cruelty and personal attacks.
She says she worries young women will shy away from public service after seeing what has happened to her.
Liberal member Lisa Dempster said she doesn’t believe rules were broken in the legislature, though she said social media “has become a terrible, terrible place.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 23, 2026.
