How did the BC Conservative leader address the extreme views in his party during this week’s debate?

Pressure on BC Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson to address the extreme views of some of his candidates and campaign manager came to a head in this week’s leaders debate.

Earlier this week, Islamophobic comments and reposts from his campaign manager, Katy Merrifield, reemerged, in which Islam is characterized as a “problem,” and painted as lesser than other religions.

Merrifield previously tweeted “F*ck Islam,” and called it an “abhorrent ideology.” 

Early in the debate, moderator Shachi Kurl addressed Doerkson’s campaign manager, and his attempt to paint the party under his leadership as “more moderate,” despite keeping company that may suggest the opposite. 

“You’ve spent this campaign trying to persuade voters that your BC Conservatives are a more moderate party, but some of your opponents say some of you party members hold extreme, unacceptable views,” Kurl said. 

Kurl noted that while Doerkson removed one candidate for Victoria-Beacon Hill, Joachim Agou, who shared violent tweets about Palestinian protesters, his campaign manager remains in her position despite sharing Islamophobic posts.

“You are the leader, tell us what is acceptable and unacceptable in your party,” said Kurl.

Doerkson said that he “will always stand up against hate,” but did not elaborate as to how. 

“Standing Against Hate” 

A number of BC Conservative candidates have shared conspiratorial and bigoted views, most of which Doerkson has yet to denounce.

In reference to Merrifield, Doerkson claimed she “acted out in a moment of trauma” and has “been very apologetic.” 

Merrifield, however, has not yet issued an apology to the Muslim community. 

National and provincial Muslim organizations released statements earlier this week calling for Merrifield’s removal, saying they await the party leader’s definitive statement on Islamophobia.

Doerkson confirmed that she will remain his campaign manager.

Doerkson was also asked about comments from candidate for Chilliwack North, Heather Maahs, who Centre BC Leader and former BC Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko claims called her “immoral” for being gay. 

“I would see that as hateful,” said Doerkson when asked about the comments by NDP Leader David Eby. 

Maahs also likened the 2SLGBTQ+ community to pedophiles in resurfaced statements. 

On Thursday, the day following the debate, the BC Conservative Party announced they dropped another candidate, Jordan McIntosh, who was running in Vancouver-Strathcona, for anti-Semitic remarks.

Heather Maahs, however, remains a candidate.

Vowing to repeal DRIPA 

During the debate, Doerkson affirmed his party’s plan to repeal the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), originally passed unanimously in BC legislature seven years ago, which requires that the province align its laws with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

“I’m committed to doing that for a number of reasons,” Doerkson said. “First off, it has not helped. British Columbia has created more division on the landscape than I have ever seen in my life and this legislation is not that old.” 

“The reality is that we are more divided on this topic than ever before. There has to be a better path forward and that is through respect and relations and certainly partnerships with First Nations in this province.”

Doerkson did not specify how the party plans to maintain partnerships with First Nations after repealing DRIPA.

Green Party leader Emily Lowan highlighted the argument to repeal DRIPA is often based on “misinformation and bad faith arguments,” adding that DRIPA “has no bearing on private property.”

In September, several former BC Attorneys General from different political parties issued a joint statement in defence of modern treaties and clarifying misinformation regarding property rights. 

“Modern treaties provide a negotiated framework for recognizing Indigenous rights while preserving the security of private property.” 

Many Conservative party members have also peddled anti-Indigenous views and statements, including one of his candidates, Harman Bhangu of Langley Abbotsford. Bhangu put forth an initiative petition to repeal The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act in August.

Bhangu and Maahs also voted in favour of a bill to ban land acknowledgements last year, which was put forward by former BC Conservative MLA and current OneBC leader and candidate for Vancouver-Quilchena, Dallas Brodie.

While candidates with questionable views have been the focus during the BC Conservative campaign, details on specific policy during the debate were scant.

The party has not yet released a costed platform, but Doerkson did say that one will be released “before British Columbians go to the polls.”

Advance voting starts Friday, October 16.