Calls for Vancouver Island Conservative candidate to exit federal election over social media posts

Vancouver Island’s Conservative candidate Aaron Gunn is under fire after a series of Tweets regarding the residential schooling system.

A Conservative Party of Canada candidate, running on Vancouver Island in the upcoming federal election, has come under fire over social media posts about residential schools and Canada’s treatment of Indigenous people.

The candidate, Aaron Gunn, sought the leadership of the BC Liberals in 2021 but the party rejected his bid, saying his candidacy would be inconsistent with the party’s commitment to reconciliation.

Now, Gunn is running as the Conservative nominee in North Island-Powell River.

“It’s just absolutely appalling to any First Nations person that someone like this would even have the opportunity to be considered as a Member of Parliament,” said Bob Chamberlin, former vice-chief of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.

In a post on Twitter, now X, in 2020, Gunn refuted claims Canada committed genocide against Indigenous people.

“There was no genocide. Stop lying to people and read a book,” Gunn wrote.

In a separate post in 2021, Gunn suggested some First Nations wanted their children sent to residential schools.

“Residential schools were asked for by Indigenous bands in Eastern Ontario,” he said in the post.

“How is it possible that a person who carries these types of harmful, divisive beliefs? How is that appropriate for that position?” asked NDP candidate Tanille Johnston.

The riding’s Green Party candidate also denounced the views expressed by Gunn.

“I think that they’re appalling, and I don’t think they have a place in Canadian politics right now,” said Jessica Wegg. “I think we need to acknowledge the harms that we have committed in our past.”

Gunn has not responded to an interview request.

When asked for comment, the CPC referred CTV News to a lengthy statement Gunn posted to X on Thursday in response to questions about his candidacy.

“I have always been firm in recognizing the truly horrific events that transpired in residential schools, and any attempt to suggest otherwise is simply false,” he wrote.

Rival candidates say Gunn’s views, and the controversy they have generated, distract from other important issues.

“This is the moment when we need to be coming together in a unified way and not being divided by this rhetoric that we’re hearing from Aaron Gunn,” said Liberal Party candidate Jennifer Lash.

Incumbent Rachel Blaney, a New Democrat who has represented the riding since 2015, is not seeking re-election.