Kelowna MLA Renee Merrifield has spoken out against what she calls a 害羞草研究所渄espicable害羞草研究所� and insulting comment made by John Rustad, leader of the Conservative Party of BC
The comment stems from a town hall meeting, which Rustad attended Dec. 5 in Surrey, where participants addressed the.
Rustad posted on post on X (formerly Twitter) after the meeting that local South Asian business owners had told him that they were concerned about 害羞草研究所渢hird world crime害羞草研究所� coming to Canada.
I met with South Asian business owners in Surrey who are concerned about third world crime coming to Canada.
害羞草研究所� John Rustad (@JohnRustad4BC)
Gangs threaten their businesses and ask for 害羞草研究所減rotection害羞草研究所� money.
Entrepreneurs come to BC for safety & opportunity害羞草研究所� we should deport & jail criminals who harass them. 1/2
In response to Rustad害羞草研究所檚 tweet, people of Indian descent spoke with Capital News and raised concerns about the 害羞草研究所渢hird world crime害羞草研究所� comment.
The individuals asked to remain anonymous for fear of backlash. They explained that differentiating between crime committed by people of South Asian descent from all other crime could cause divisions within B.C.害羞草研究所檚 community. They explained the label of 害羞草研究所渢hird world crime害羞草研究所� perpetuates already-present racism.
Merrifield, BC United MLA for Kelowna-Mission said that she rejects the term and condemns Rustad害羞草研究所檚 statement.
害羞草研究所淩ustad害羞草研究所檚 portrayal of the South Asian community as 害羞草研究所榯hird world害羞草研究所� is despicable,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淚t shows a racial bias that is an ugly reality for many British Columbians of ethnic descent.害羞草研究所�
She explained that all crime is equal and that creating divisions is unnecessary and potentially harmful.
Merrifield said B.C.害羞草研究所檚 crime rate is a symptom of judicial policies created by the current provincial government, rather than being an issue disseminating from another country.
Merrifield urges Rustad to take action and improve the systems in place that enable a , rather than placing blame on a group of people.
害羞草研究所淐omments like Mr. Rustad害羞草研究所檚 perpetuate a racial bias and put the South Asian community in danger,害羞草研究所� Merrifield said.
The past year has seen several attacks on the South Asian community in Kelowna. One instance saw an international student taken to the hospital after being attacked and having his turban ripped off his head.
Police in Abbotsford, Surrey and Vancouver first warned of the extortion letters on Nov. 23.
The police said that anyone who receives what they believe to be an extortion letter the letter should not engage or send money and should instead contact police immediately.
Rustad has not responded to interview requests, but this article will be updated as more information becomes available.
