One of the B.C. Conservative candidates running in the province’s second-largest city has apologized for “completely unacceptable” comments he made about Muslims and
Palestinians.
Surrey South candidate Brent Chapman’s years-old remarks resurfaced on social media this week, in screenshots shared by CKNW radio host Jas Johal.
One screenshot shows Chapman, while commenting on a Facebook post from
November 2015, referring to Palestinians as “inbred walking, talking, breathing time bombs.” Another shows Chapman sharing an article on “Muslim inbreeding,” along with concerns, which he attributed to an unnamed friend, that “coexistence with Islam” was “absolutely not” possible.
Approximately one in 20 households in Surrey identify as Muslim, according to the latest census data from Statistics Canada. Contacted for comment, Chapman acknowledged making the remarks in Johal’s post and offered his “sincerest apologies” to anyone hurt by his words. “The language I used and sentiments I expressed at that time towards Palestinians and members of the Islamic faith were completely unacceptable,” Chapman wrote, in a statement. “They do not reflect who I am today or the respect and admiration I hold for the Palestinian and Muslim communities.” The Conservative added that since making those social media comments, he has traveled to “Muslim-majority countries and (built) meaningful relationships with members of the Muslim community in Canada.” “These experiences have broadened my understanding of Islam and deepened by appreciation for the incredible contributions Muslims make in our communities, both locally in Surrey and across Canada,” Chapman said.
The B.C. Conservative Party also shared a statement with CTV News, on behalf of Vancouver-Kensington candidate Syed Mohsin, describing Chapman as “a friend of the Muslim community.” “Brent is a friend of mine, and I have known him for many years. At no point have I ever felt that Brent harbored any views or beliefs that are espoused in those comments,” Mohsin said.
Source:bc.ctvnews.ca/
Recent Comments made by the BC Conservative Party candidate Brent Chapman
To Mr. Brent Chapman and the BC Conservative Party
By: Mohammed Asin
VP Media and Public Relations BCMA
The BC Muslim Association is horrified and deeply troubled by the unacceptable comments made by Mr. Brent Chapman, the BC Conservative Party candidate, several years ago. These remarks have resurfaced and are particularly alarming given Mr. Chapman’s continued representation of the party in a community as diverse and multicultural as Surrey.
Surrey, like many parts of British Columbia, thrives on its cultural diversity and inclusivity. For many years, people of all faiths, backgrounds, and ethnicities have worked together to foster a harmonious and welcoming environment. Statements like those made by Mr. Chapman undermine the very fabric of our community and promote division and intolerance.
As a candidate representing the BC Conservative Party, it is essential for Mr. Chapman to embody values of respect and inclusion.
His past comments, which we find completely unacceptable, run counter to these values
and raise serious concerns about his fitness to represent the people of Surrey South.
We urge the BC Conservative Party to act swiftly and decisively. The party must hold its representatives accountable and take meaningful action to address this situation.
It is imperative that the party live up to its commitment to challenge all forms of hate, bigotry, and discrimination and should ask Mr Chapman to Step down.
The BC Conservative Party must demonstrate that such comments have no place in their ranks and take steps to repair the harm caused to the multicultural communities of British Columbia.
The BC Muslim Association stands in solidarity with all communities affected by hate and intolerance and will continue to work towards fostering an inclusive and respectful.
Muslim association says Conservative candidate apology ‘rings hollow’
The chair of the White Rock Muslim Association is demanding that B.C. Conservative candidate Brent Chapman withdrew from the Surrey South MLA race.
In a statement issued Thursday afternoon, Asad Syed unequivocally condemned “the multiple racist statements and Islamophobic attitude expressed by Brent Chapman.”
“Our community does not feel safe being represented by someone who would publicly make such hateful statements about Muslims on more than one occasion, Syed commented. “We demand his resignation and withdrawal from candidacy.”
Syed was responding to a series of Facebook posts Chapman made in 2015 that were revealed by media Wednesday night.
In them, Chapman referred to Palestinians as “little inbred walking talking breathing time bombs … figuratively and quite literally,” made multiple references to “Muslim inbreeding” and suggested that Canadians “cannot live with them, Islam.”
The posts have been widely criticized as racist and Islamophobic and were slammed by Premier David Eby as “hate speech” in media conferences on Thursday.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims issued a statement Thursday about Chapman’s comments, saying members of the council have been in touch with Chapman. “To be clear, we have been horrified by the posts, which were posted almost a decade ago. We consider them to be deeply Islamophobic, disgusting, and utterly unacceptable,” the statement reads.
The council said Chapman has apologized to members privately, with details of how he plans to widen his understanding of Muslim and Palestinian people. It added that the council will judge the commitment to the apology on actions Chapman takes in the future. Chapman is not the only B.C. Conservative to come under fire for racist comments. On Wednesday, the NCCM, along with eight other organizations, called on Rustad to address the racist and sexist comments made by Conservative spokesperson Anthony Koch concerning Muslim people.
White Rock Muslim Association calls on B.C. candidate to withdraw
