A former Conservative candidate in the Metro Vancouver riding of New Westminster—Burnaby—Maillardville, Lourence Singh, has stated that he was removed from the party’s slate due to comments he made about the Chinese government in a podcast four years ago.
Singh, a real estate agent, had been campaigning in the riding but was informed on April 1 that his candidacy had been terminated after a nine-minute phone call with a party official.
“It was very shocking to learn the news that abruptly the party was informing me that they would be ending my candidacy,” Singh told CBC News. “I needed to gather myself before I proceed with what I’m going to say.”
Singh says the call referred to remarks he made on a podcast called A Little Bit Serious with Sahib in February 2021. During the podcast, the host criticized the Chinese government for restricting free speech, and Singh responded by saying, “I feel in Western culture, they believe democracy is the only legitimate or practical form of government… but the system for [China] works.”
Singh clarified that his comments were meant to acknowledge that different forms of government can produce positive outcomes for citizens, but he was dismissed because his views did not align with the party’s hard-line stance against the Chinese government.
The Conservative Party of Canada did not comment on Singh’s removal when contacted by CBC News. However, the party’s official policy declaration stresses adopting an assertive foreign policy toward authoritarian regimes, including the Chinese Communist Party, focused on defending Canada’s values of human rights and democratic principles.
Singh, who had been campaigning in the riding for weeks, said the decision to remove him was unjustified. He appealed the decision and submitted a petition with over 450 signatures requesting his reinstatement but received no response from the party.
Singh confirmed that he would continue his campaign as an independent candidate.
“I’m already known by the electorate here. So it’s basically just continuing where I left off, only now as an independent rather than as a Conservative,” he said.
A new Conservative candidate, Indy Panchi, has replaced Singh for the riding. Panchi, who previously sought the nomination in Richmond East–Steveston, is also the founder of a registered charity that provides free meals to those in need.