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Kelowna MLA condemns ‘third world crime’ comment by B.C. Conservative leader

Renee Merrifield calls John Rustad’s comment ‘despicable’
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Conservative Party of BC Leader John Rustad at a town hall on Dec. 5, 2023. (John Rustad/X)

Kelowna MLA Renee Merrifield has spoken out against what she calls a “despicable” 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 extortion letters being sent to businesses in Abbotsford, Surrey and Vancouver by alleged gang members.

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 “third world crime” coming to Canada.

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Jacqueline Gelineau

About the Author: Jacqueline Gelineau

I'm a reporter in the beginning stages of my career. I joined the team at Capital News in November 2021...
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