Calls deepen for BC Conservative candidate to resign

Another offensive social media post has resurfaced from a BC Conservatives candidate who was already facing calls to resign.

Surrey South candidate Brent Chapman posted in 2017 that he believes the Quebec Mosque shooting, as well as those at Sandy Hook Elementary School, and the Pulse Night Club in Orlando, were faked.

In the post, Chapman wrote he believes the shootings had “sketchy stories” and were designed to take away people’s rights.

“Look, I really hope no one was actually killed at these events,” Chapman wrote, “but in the Orlando nightclub shooting, the people that talked to the press were not actually shot.”

Chapman addressed the resurfaced post on X late Sunday night, explaining that “we should all mourn these tragedies.”

“Let me be clear, the Quebec Mosque Shooting, Aurora, Orlando, and Sandy Hook were all very real mass shootings — innocent people lost their lives,” he shared.

“What I was trying to say is the whirlwind of US media and commentary makes everything chaotic and confusing to people watching the TV. People’s understanding of what’s going on changes from moment to moment and it’s all just so difficult to understand.

“Sadly, these mass shooting incidents and the deaths they have caused are all very real. I sincerely wish they weren’t, because they’re horrific and needless tragedies.

“Following advice from legal counsel, I will no longer be commenting on this matter or any other matter related to social media posts from years ago. I absolutely remain committed to standing up for everyone in Surrey South,” Chapman explained.

This is just the latest post to surface.

Last week, Chapman faced calls to resign over an offensive post he made about Palestinians and Muslims.

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.

Last week, Conservative Leader John Rustad stood by Chapman. It’s unclear whether Rustad will continue to do so as he has not yet commented on the latest post to resurface.