National

BC United sources leak 'extremism' file on B.C. Conservatives' executive Isidorou

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Sep, 2024 02:35 PM

Sources in the Official Opposition BC United party have leaked a file on the "extremism" of the B.C. Conservatives' executive director, Angelo Isidorou, less than two weeks after the parties' leaders announced a deal to work together.

The document depicts Isidorou's involvement in the People's Party of Canada as a founding member, his "admiration" of right-wing figures including Donald Trump, and includes what it calls a "white power" photo of him wearing a Make America Great Again cap while making a hand gesture it says is associated with the alt-right movement.

The seven-page report titled "Angelo Isidorou's Extremism" was intended for use in the province's Oct. 19 election, but was compiled before BC United Leader Kevin Falcon suspended his party's campaign last month, urging support for the B.C. Conservatives instead.

B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad says of the claims that Isidorou is a "capable individual," and he's more concerned with defeating Premier David Eby's New Democrats than about the people working behind the scenes in his own party.

Isidorou, who describes himself as a Canadian conservative who abhors all forms of extremism, says in a statement he was being a "dumb" first-year university student when he wore the MAGA hat at the opening of the former Trump International Hotel and Tower in 2017.

He says the hand gesture is "innocuous" and he "utterly" rejects it having a meaning other than "OK."

The opposition research document also included screenshots of Isidorou's social media activity, including a post saying, "Buckle up, it's riot season," in connection to Black Lives Matter protests.

It also shared a post from Isidorou about the 2023 election success of anti-immigration politician Geert Wilders in the Netherlands, saying: "First it was Argentina — today it's the Netherlands. Tomorrow it will be Canada."

Isidorou resigned from the People's Party of Canada in 2019.

The file about Isidorou was provided to The Canadian Press by BC United sources on condition of anonymity.

The future of the party has been in doubt since Falcon's Aug. 28 announcement, with some of its MLAs now running as B.C. Conservative candidates and others as Independents.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Privy Council to continue anti-racism efforts, clerk says after report release

The head of the federal public service says he is personally committed to "continuous action" to address racism and discrimination in the workplace, following the public release of an internal report that details employees' troubling experiences on the job.

Privy Council to continue anti-racism efforts, clerk says after report release

Fortis BC to launch 10K rebate for homeowners

Fortis B-C is launching a 10-thousand-dollar rebate for homeowners who replace older heating systems with an electric heat pump and high-efficiency gas furnace. The utility says the dual system uses the heat pump for cooling and the furnace for heating, and it will help customers cut both costs and greenhouse emissions.

Fortis BC to launch 10K rebate for homeowners

B.C. toxic drug deaths down 9% in 2024, but six people continue to die each day

British Columbia's Coroners Service says the number of people who have died this year from toxic drug poisoning is down from 2023, but an average of six people are still dying every day from using illicit drugs. The service says it recorded 181 suspected drug poisoning deaths in May and 185 in June, bringing the total number of fatalities in the first half of this year to 1,158.

B.C. toxic drug deaths down 9% in 2024, but six people continue to die each day

Woman rescued off B.C. glacier calls those who braved smoky conditions 'superheroes'

Laurence Desjardins says the wind was loud enough to keep her awake through the night as white ash fell around the tent where she was camping with friends on a glacier in B.C.'s West Kootenay region. They knew they had to leave as quickly as possible.

Woman rescued off B.C. glacier calls those who braved smoky conditions 'superheroes'

Animals, like those in Jasper, know how to dodge wildfires, say biologists

Despite the loss of about a third of the Jasper townsite, including homes and buildings, as well as the sorrow over the destruction of a beloved piece of Canadian landscape, experts say animals know how to protect themselves in a wildfire.

Animals, like those in Jasper, know how to dodge wildfires, say biologists

Wildfire update planned in B.C. as crews battle about 350 blazes

British Columbia's minister of emergency management is scheduled to give an update on the wildfire situation today as some areas in the province cool off while others flare. Bowinn Ma and Forests Minister Bruce Ralston will be joined by staff from the province to give an overview of the wildfire trouble spots in B.C.