As she waited for the election results to come in on October 19, BC Conservative candidate, Marina Sapozhnikov, casually offered a journalism student her real thoughts about Indigenous peoples in Canada. They were nothing short of racist; and they deserve immediate condemnation and serious consequences for Sapozhnikov.
In her comments, Sapozhnikov used a racist slur about Indigenous people and suggested Indigenous history was “a lie”. She shared skepticism about educational narratives in universities, and voiced numerous falsehoods about Indigenous people rooted in old stereotypes. Her views reflect a profound misunderstanding or, worse, an outright rejection of Canada’s history and constitutional values.
As a medical professional, Sapozhnikov should be acutely aware of, and working to correct, the longstanding and ongoing discrimination faced by Indigenous Peoples within the healthcare system. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada has explicitly called upon the medical profession to address systemic discrimination and injustices affecting Indigenous communities. It is disheartening to see a physician, who should be an advocate for health equity and reconciliation, instead contributing to the very prejudices the TRC seeks to eradicate.
It is troubling to think that the Conservatives failed to properly vet Sapozhnikov – but it is far more troubling to think that they did, and that Sapozhnikov’s remarks align with the Conservative Party values. Although Conservative Party leader, John Rustad, has expressed he was “appalled and deeply saddened” by Sapozhnikov’s remarks, he did not go so far as to remove her from the party or otherwise commit to taking further action apart from stating they are “taking this matter seriously.” Rustad also stated that Sapozhnikov’s comments were inaccurate and profoundly harmful, noting that they distorted the picture of “communities he has worked alongside for years.”
But Rustad’s inaction on this suggests a tolerance for harmful rhetoric within the party. And it undermines any claims of standing for “unity, respect, and reconciliation” with Indigenous people.
It is not really surprising that Rustad is dragging his feet on this. Sapozhnikov is the Conservative candidate in Juan de Fuca-Malahat, one of the ridings where the election remains too close to call. This morning, the NDP are just shy of the 47 seats they need for a majority. In Juan de Fuca-Malahat, the NDP currently leads by just 113 votes and further counting is taking place today.
It is not too late for Rustad to do the right thing. We invite all lawyers in the province to send a clear message to the Conservative Party. You can let them know you stand for reconciliation and anti-racism by emailing here – info@conservativebc.ca.