SAINT JOHN, N.B. — The leader of New Brunswick’s Progressive Conservatives says he’s looking at whether one of his candidates has a place in the party after learning he had reposted a Facebook message containing transphobic language.
Blaine Higgs was commenting today during an event in Saint John, N.B., today on the repost of a transphobic meme by Roland Michaud, the party’s candidate in Victoria-La Vallee, that mocked physical violence against trangendered women.
Higgs says the post was missed during the vetting of Michaud’s candidacy and says he only became aware of it early on Labour Day.
He says “there’s no place for that in our party,” and added “there is no question it is not acceptable.”
Michaud is running in the Liberal-held riding in northwest New Brunswick, which includes the community of Grand Falls and a large francophone population.
The revelation of the post comes just a week before the Sept. 14 election.
At dissolution, the Progressive Conservatives and Liberals each had 20 seats in the legislature, while the Greens and the People’s Alliance each had three. There are two vacant seats and one Independent.
Michaud did not respond to emailed requests for comment.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 7, 2020
The Canadian Press
