BC United leader Kevin Falcon has dropped Asad Gondal as one of his party’s candidates.
In a statement Tuesday, Falcon said that the candidate for Surrey North held views that were inconsistent with the party’s stance on the war in Gaza and support for the LGBTQ+ community.
“Given Mr. Gondal’s decision to not adhere to the party’s position on these policies, I have terminated his candidacy effective immediately,” said Falcon.
Falcon claimed that Gondal had shared his views on a “correspondence” he signed on behalf of the BC Muslim Association (BCMA), prior to his nomination.
“In light of those statements, I spoke with Mr. Gondal today to confirm his willingness to adhere to our party’s long-standing position on these issues. However, he informed me that he cannot change his values and principles, including disavowing earlier statements made while president of the BCMA.”
BC United President Caroline Elliott issued her own statement on the termination, saying she was “appalled” to read Gondal’s statements.
“While I have long defended free speech — and even as I continue to vigorously defend it — there is a role for political parties to select candidates based on the degree to which they align with the party’s principles,” said Elliott. “A candidate rejected by one party is welcome to join another or even start their own.”
Elliott claimed that Gondal had referred to the war in Gaza as a “genocide” and advised “those who struggle with same-sex attractions” not to act on their “involuntary urges” and “repent.”
On Sunday, June 9, BC United posted a statement of praise for Gondal’s recent candidacy, saying he “will undoubtedly pave the way for a brighter future for the community.”
“I know that [Gondal] will champion the ideas and policies we need to fix the issues facing the people of British Columbia,” Falcon said, just two days before his Tuesday statement.
Falcon closed his statement by accepting full responsibility and apologizing to anyone who may have been offended.
CityNews has reached out to Gondal for comment.
More to come.
—With files from John Ackermann