The deputy premier of Manitoba is publicly saying he’s sorry for using a term that some say is racist.

In an email, Eric Robinson, who is also minister of aboriginal and northern affairs, referred to people involved in an Osborne House fundraiser as “do-good white people.”

Robinson publicly offered up his apology Monday.

“I should have taken the high road on this,” he said. But Robinson is not backing down entirely.

The controversy surrounds a burlesque fundraising event involving Osborne House, a Winnipeg woman’s shelter.

In an email to a department staff member late last year, Robinson criticized the event, saying it exploited a vulnerable group in society.

“It also further demonstrates the ignorance of do-good white people without giving it a second thought,” Robinson wrote in the email.

In an interview last week, Robinson refused to apologize.

“I’m plainspoken and I don’t think I have to apologize,” he said.

Now, he’s changed his stance.

“I am regretful for a couple of things - the term white for one thing (and) white do-gooders,” said Robinson on Monday.

But Robinson maintains the comments were not racist.

“What I am talking about is a general statement and I think I am entitled to say that because I experienced racism first hand,” he said.

The opposition criticized Robinson’s comment.

“These comments are unacceptable and are racial in nature,” said Brian Pallister, leader of the PC Party of Manitoba.

The Tories called for the premier to strip Robinson of his cabinet and caucus duties, similar to discipline recently handed out to an NDP MLA for homophobic remark made in the legislature.

Premier Greg Selinger said Robinson's apology is enough.

"(The email) was never intended for public consumption, nor was it intended to single out anybody in the community so it's quite a different set of circumstances," said Selinger.

Osborne House CEO Barbara Judt has submitted a complaint to the Human Rights Commission over Robinson’s email and she calls his apology empty.

“The board of directors and I have not received an apology for the racist comment so until we receive something it doesn't mean a thing," she said.

Judt said she is still going forward with the complaint to the Human Rights Commission, even if Robinson offers an in-person apology.

Robinson said he is open to meeting with Osborne House.

- with a report from Jeff Keele