FREDERICTON -- The New Brunswick legislature has passed a motion that condemns the views of MP John Williamson and denounces his "demeaning" remarks about temporary foreign workers.

Liberal John Ames introduced the motion, which calls Williamson's comments racially charged.

The political website iPolitics reported that Williamson told delegates at a conference in Ottawa earlier this month that it makes no sense to pay "whities" to stay home while companies bring in "brown people" as temporary foreign workers.

The Conservative MP, who represents New Brunswick Southwest, later apologized in tweets for the language he used in talking about the temporary foreign workers program.

The motion, which was passed in an oral vote, says the statements "showed contempt for people of different racial origins who work hard for our New Brunswick companies."

Williamson's remarks also prompted criticism from within his own Tory caucus.