New Prince George-Valemount Conservative MLA Rosalyn Bird was one of 13 party members who signed a letter to their leader demanding one of their caucus colleagues apologize to the former vice-chair of the Vancouver Police Board.
The letter to Conservative Leader John Rustad, dated Nov. 29, was posted to X (formerly Twitter) by former BC Liberal MLA and radio host Jas Johal on Dec. 5.
The MLAs wrote that they were “dismayed” that South Surrey MLA Elenore Sturko told the CBC that she was in favour of the resignation of Comfort Sakoma-Fadugba from the VPB.
In a Nov. 23 CBC article, the organization reported that screenshots of social media posts made by Sakoma-Fadugba had questioned the hosting of Diwali celebrations at schools, criticized mass immigration and gender transitions and expressed concern about the values of a religion other than Christianity becoming dominant in Canada.
She told the CBC that the screenshots did not accurately capture the whole conversation that was going on and apologized for causing harm.
In that same article, Sturko said Sakoma-Fadugba's comments had eroded public trust with the police.
The letter from Conservative MLAs to Rustad said that under his leadership, the party has consistently denounced cancel culture and stood up for freedom of expression and religion as well as parental rights.
“We were therefore dismayed to learn that in an interview with CBC News, Ms. Sturko endorsed the resignation on the basis that these views were ‘offensive’ and undermined trust in police,” the letter said.
To “restore confidence in these core values,” the MLAs ask that Rustad ask Sturko to offer Sakoma-Fadugba a written apology and encourage the VPB to reconcile with her. Should Sturko resign, they ask that Rustad apologize to Sakoma-Fadugba on behalf of the party’s caucus.
They also ask that the matter be discussed at the next caucus meeting.
Reached by text message on Friday, Bird told The Citizen that “The Conservative Party does not discuss caucus business publicly.”
She said she and her fellow caucus members were focused on addressing issues like cost of living, health care and crime and that her personal priority is learning about her role as citizen services critic as well as ensuring the training of her constituency office staff.
Other MLAs from Northern BC signing the letter were Sharon Hartwell from Bulkley Valley-Stikine and Jordan Kealy from Peace River North. Prince George-North Cariboo Conservative MLA Sheldon Clare did not sign the letter but was CCed as the party’s deputy whip.
Prince George-Mackenzie Conservative MLA Kiel Giddens did not sign the letter.
