Brian Jean apologizes for social media post highlighting ethnicity of political opponent
CBC
United Conservative party hopeful Brian Jean is apologizing after a post on his social media page highlighted the ethnicity of his political opponent in the race to represent the UCP in the Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche constituency.
On Saturday, a post was made on Jean's LinkedIn page, asking people to buy a $10 UCP membership in Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche, a riding that currently has no MLA after Laila Goodridge made the successful jump from provincial to federal politics.
The post read: "There can only be one UCP candidate. Jason Kenney's people don't want it to be me. They are pushing a Nigerian economist who lives in Fort McMurray," referring to candidate Joshua Gogo, who is also seeking the UCP nomination.
Jean has since removed the post and in a statement he said the post was written by a campaign volunteer.
Jean said in the email that the post had "unacceptable connotation. The comment was promptly removed."
He also said he called and texted Gogo and apologized.
"Not checking the work of the volunteer was an oversight on my part," wrote Jean.
He added that he met with leaders in Fort McMurray's Nigerian-Canadian community to apologize.
On Facebook, Gogo said he thought Jean implied he wasn't an Albertan.
"If he so chooses, Brian Jean can try to make this election about my ethnicity," wrote Gogo.
"I will stay focused on showing people from Fort McMurray to Lac La Biche and everywhere in between that I am here to work for them, and to provide the stable representation our area deserves."
Joseph Mugodo, member of the UCP and president of the Zimbabwe Fort McMurray Association, said he's happy that Jean has apologized and removed the comments.
"When candidates or people are being selected for any position, it should not be about the race… it should be about what can you do," said Mugodo.
Mugodo said the most important quality for a candidate is someone who will bring positive change for the community.
Premier Wab Kinew says Manitoba will hold a public inquiry as soon as 2026 into the former Progressive Conservative government’s post-election efforts to approve an environmental licence for sand-mining company Sio Silica.
Premier Scott Moe has led the Saskatchewan Party through two straight elections, winning majority governments each time.
Eight weeks after adding a GM BrightDrop van to the fleet of his plumbing and heating business, Marty Salliss has no complaints, only praise.
Nearly half of Alberta’s Grade 6 students failed the provincewide math test in 2024, three years after the province started rolling out its new elementary school curriculum.
Toronto could get new cars on the road whose drivers will never get frustrated by gridlock — because the cars would be driving themselves.
Amidst a cost-of-living crisis, some London-area organizations say they have noticed a decline in donations this holiday season.
Prominent northern leaders have been touting the Arctic economic and security corridor as a "nation-building" project that will bring economic benefits to the two territories it straddles, but others are split on how much good will come out of it.
When the federal government tabled its 2025 budget last month, it included a proposal that tax fraud experts say is long overdue — if also a belated acknowledgement that the Canada Revenue Agency has been repeatedly duped into paying out untold millions in bogus tax refunds to scammers.
Talking with an AI chatbot can successfully convince people to change their votes and could affect the outcome of future elections, according to a new study.
While some are writing wishlists for Santa Claus, a group of Newfoundland and Labrador youth are writing their wishlist for the provincial government.
A horse owner near Stewiacke, N.S., says the current shortage of hay in the province is putting pressure on her financially.
Victoria Volkanova was remembering Jewish resilience and courage by celebrating Hanukkah on Sunday.
Winnipeggers are still digging out from this past week’s winter wallop, but the wait for roadside assistance is almost over, according to the provincial motoring association.