Candidate ousted from Conservative party over homophobic comments continues campaign
Posted October 5, 2019 2:43 pm.
Last Updated October 5, 2019 5:50 pm.
BURNABY (NEWS 1130) — A candidate who was ousted from the Conservative party over a history of homophobic comments is continuing her campaign for a seat in parliament.
The Conservative Party of Canada released a statement Friday saying Heather Leung would no longer be their candidate in the Burnaby-North Seymour riding due to intolerable views that are incompatible with party values.
Campaign signs–emblazoned with the party logo– are still going up and Leung’s manager says she’s still in the race.
“They never tell you these sorts of things in campaign management school. This is a unique experience. It’s weird. Heather supports Conservative party values. We’re trying to get her elected. There’s a lot of people who support us here,” according to Travis Trost.
BREAKING: Heather Leung is still campaigning – and her name will be on the ballot. Signs are being put up with the @CPC_HQ logo despite the party dropping her yesterday over videos of Leung making derogatory statements against LGBTQ people. @CityNewsVAN @NEWS1130 @BT_Vancouver pic.twitter.com/hyhadpWLYE
— Ashley Grace Burr (@AshleyBurr_) October 5, 2019
The Tories can’t replace Leung with another candidate, the deadline to do that was Sept. 30.
Trost says it’s also too late to separate her name from the party on the ballot.
“We’re probably cutting ground in Canadian history right now. When Heather gets elected we’ll figure out how she will fit in–whether she would fit in to the Conservative caucus or whatever the situation would be,” he says. “Obviously it”s awkward and strange dealing with the national party at this point. I mean, they cut off our website.”
Svend Robinson, the NDP candidate in Burnaby-North Seymour called for Leung’s resignation on Friday, saying her views were hateful and unacceptable.
Two videos resurfaced this week showing Leung making derogatory statements against LGBTQ people. In one, she stated an LGBTQ-inclusive plan for Burnaby schools aimed to “recruit” people to become homosexual. In a second video she claimed LGBTQ people are “perverted” and promoted conversion therapy.
With files from Lauren Boothby
