One of the latest episodes of the famous US animated sitcom The Simpsons has apparently managed to cause quite a stir on social media after poking fun at Canadians and their prime minister, Justin Trudeau.
In the episode, Lisa Simpson tells a trio of Canadian youths that she’s sure they "treat all people equally".
"Except the Québécois", one of them replies. "And the Newfies", adds another, prompting all three to exclaim "Stupid Newfies!" – with "Newfie", as the Daily Express explains, being a derogatory term for people from Newfoundland and Labrador.
One of the show’s recurring characters, Ralph Wiggum, then cheerfully says “I’m a Newfie!” and proceeds to club a stuffed baby seal, tearing its head apart and kicking it.
A number of social media users seemed to be upset by these remarks, stepping forward to criticise the show.
Many netizens argued, however, that the term “newfie” is not actually a slur and that people living in Newfoundland actually enjoy self-deprecating humour.
Some pointed out that the episode also mocked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who was pictured fleeing away when Lisa asked him about the SNC-Lavalin affair – an ongoing political scandal involving allegations of interference and possible obstruction of justice by Canada’s Prime Minister’s Office.