The BC Muslim Association is calling for the province’s Conservative party to take “meaningful action” and have a candidate whose Islamophobic remarks recently resurfaced step down.
In a statement Friday morning, the BCMA says it 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.”
In a series of recently unearthed comments posted to Facebook between 2015 and 2016, the 2024 candidate for Surrey South made hateful and Islamophobic remarks, including claiming that Palestinians were “little inbred walking, talking, breathing time bombs,” and clarifying that he meant both “figuratively and quite literally.”
In a statement Wednesday evening, Chapman apologized for the posts.
“The language I used and the sentiments I expressed at that time towards Palestinians and members of the Islamic faith were completely unacceptable. They do not reflect who I am today or the respect and admiration I hold for the Palestinian and Muslim communities,” said Chapman.
He says he has travelled 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 my appreciation for the incredible contributions Muslims make in our communities, both locally in Surrey and across Canada,” Chapman continued.
However, the BCMA says statements like Chapman’s social media posts undermine the fabric of the community and “promote division and intolerance.”
“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,” the BCMA said.
“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 BCMA urged.
The organization says the Conservatives have to demonstrate that comments such as Chapman’s have no place in its party, and it needs to “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 society for all of BC,” the BCMA said.
The calls for Chapman’s resignation come just a day after part leader John Rustad explained that Chapman had apologized to the two Muslim candidates on the Conservatives’ roster.
“They both have accepted his apology. I look at the statement, quite frankly, as it was wrong. It’s something that we do not support. I have also accepted Brent’s apology, but I will say this: as the Conservative Party of British Columbia, we will not stand for anti-Palestinian Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and anti-Asian hate. We will not stand for hate in this province,” said Rustad.
“I will not tolerate any of that in this province.”
In reference to the many comments made between nine and eight years ago, Rustad said Chapman is forgiven for “a statement that was made 10 years ago.” He claims the party vets candidates’ social media accounts, but Chapman’s Facebook profile was “missed.”
“He has apologized for them. And I think the people in British Columbia are looking at actions, not words,” said Rustad.
1130 NewsRadio has reached out to the BC Conservatives for its response.
–With files from Charles Brockman.