TORONTO – The head of a controversial right-wing American think tank dropped off the list of speakers who were set to brief Prime Minister Mark Carney and his cabinet behind closed doors Thursday.

Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, was on the list of speakers tapped to address cabinet during a session about striking a new economic and security relationship with the United States.

Roberts’ inclusion on the list drew strong criticism online on Wednesday.

Just before cabinet ministers were about to address the media Thursday morning, the Prime Minister’s Office said Roberts’ team said he would no longer be coming to speak.

The PMO offered no reason for Roberts’ withdrawal.

The Heritage Foundation said only that Roberts was unable to attend and would instead be working i

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