Another BC Conservatives candidate is coming under fire for racially insensitive comments she made about First Nations communities.
When prompted to address past comments about Indigenous people, Vancouver-Quilchena candidate Dallas Brodie spent part of an all-candidates debate Thursday trying to clarify the comments but continues to draw criticism.
Video from the debate shows Brodie suggesting to audience members that First Nations aren’t taking responsibility for community members on the Downtown Eastside, saying, “It’s not okay to leave your people dying.”
Wade Grant, a member of the Musqueam Indian band, was in attendance and tells 1130 NewsRadio that there were audible gasps from the audience.
“When she talks about us wanting equality and autonomy, I think that it’s a very mis-educated approach to reconciliation, and then First Nations have been fighting — and have successfully found their way to the table already,” said Grant.
He says the education system has failed to teach Canadians about the realities of colonialism and how it contributed to the oppression of Indigenous people in the country.
“Based on the comments last night, the education system has failed Dallas as well,” said Grant.
Grant says the Musqueam people welcome anyone who wants to come and learn, including Brodie — especially if she’s lucky enough to become the next MLA of the Vancouver-Quilchena.
In a statement Friday, Brodie said she was not given the opportunity to conclude her remarks as she was cut off for time, but provided more to CityNews.
“Life expectancy for Indigenous People is dropping faster than any other group. This is in large part due to the drug crisis that is killing their people. We, as a government, need to work with First Nations to achieve reconciliation by helping Indigenous people who are suffering from addiction get into housing and treatment. We need to take action to heal this generational trauma,” Brodie stated.
BC Conservatives Leader John Rustad said he hadn’t seen the video in question Friday morning, but says he’s been speaking with First Nations across the province, including in the Downtown Eastside, about helping community members suffering with addiction.
Grant also weighed in on the controversy around Brent Chapman after a video surfaced of the Surrey South candidate making controversial remarks about the residential school system last month.
He says after Chapman’s statements about Palestinians, uncovered earlier in the week, he wasn’t surprised.
“His view on minorities is not something that’s just from 10 years ago. Obviously he holds very racist views about Indigenous people that he has expressed, and now it’s been shown that he’s expressed these within the last month. So it’s very disappointing,” said Grant.
He says the BC Conservatives need to take the transgressions very seriously and consider removing the candidates.