Kelowna MLA Renee Merrifield has spoken out against what she calls a 鈥渄espicable鈥� 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 鈥渢hird world crime鈥� coming to Canada.
I met with South Asian business owners in Surrey who are concerned about third world crime coming to Canada.
鈥� John Rustad (@JohnRustad4BC)
Gangs threaten their businesses and ask for 鈥減rotection鈥� money.
Entrepreneurs come to BC for safety & opportunity鈥� we should deport & jail criminals who harass them. 1/2
In response to Rustad鈥檚 tweet, people of Indian descent spoke with Capital 亚洲天堂 and raised concerns about the 鈥渢hird world crime鈥� 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.鈥檚 community. They explained the label of 鈥渢hird world crime鈥� perpetuates already-present racism.
Merrifield, BC United MLA for Kelowna-Mission said that she rejects the term and condemns Rustad鈥檚 statement.
鈥淩ustad鈥檚 portrayal of the South Asian community as 鈥榯hird world鈥� is despicable,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t shows a racial bias that is an ugly reality for many British Columbians of ethnic descent.鈥�
She explained that all crime is equal and that creating divisions is unnecessary and potentially harmful.
Merrifield said B.C.鈥檚 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.
鈥淐omments like Mr. Rustad鈥檚 perpetuate a racial bias and put the South Asian community in danger,鈥� 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
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.
