Falcon And BC Liberal Party Ignore DESIBUZZCanada’s Call For Comment On The Issue!

BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon came under fire this week for making racialized and patronizing remarks against BC House Speaker Raj Chouhan. In what was supposed to be his official swearing in at the B.C. Legislature Monday as the MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena and the Leader of the Official Opposition, Falcon tried to praise Speaker Chouhan but which came across more as a joke and racialized humour when he called Chouhan “the pride of Surrey” when the esteemed MLA and former activist is from Burnaby. DESIBUZZCanada sent Liberal Party public relations person Raman Bajwa the letter, asking for comment from Falcon and the party and hasn’t heard back from her in two days. Either they know Falcon made a big boo-boo and are hoping to sweep it under the carpet or they are also disrespecting ethnic media. The knock against Falcon has been that he is a rightwing ultra Conservative with negative view of social benefits and not being a friend of working people with his previous policies and track record as Minister. He also came under fire for supporting racist politician Maxime Bernier and this “racial joke” incident is a bad way to restart his political career.

By R. Paul Dhillon – Editor DESIBUZZCanada

VICTORIA – BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon came under fire this week for making racialized and patronizing remarks against BC House Speaker Raj Chouhan.

In what was supposed to be his official swearing in at the B.C. Legislature Monday as the MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena and the Leader of the Official Opposition, Falcon tried to praise Speaker Chouhan but which came across more as a joke and racialized humour when he called Chouhan “the pride of Surrey” when the esteemed MLA and former activist is from Burnaby.

Indo-Canadian community members have taken this as an insult to the community and Chouhan with one letter writer calling it a “Black day in the History of BC legislature!”

In a letter to a local Punjabi radio MD said the developments in the BC legislative assembly have pained and anguished the entire Indo-Canadian community.

“The newly elected BC Liberal Party leader Mr. Kevin Falcon , has passed a racist comment on no less than the Honourable Speaker of the Assembly!!,” he wrote

“By terming Mr. Chauhan as “ pride of Surrey” Mr. Falcon has racially profiled an entire community!!I am a Canadian of South Asian Ancestry, I identify myself with the entire Canada ! Not just the City of Surrey!

“Kevin knows perfectly well that , Mr. Chauhan is a resident of Burnaby , despite being corrected , he persisted with his racist and obnoxious behaviour. He should withdraw his statement and apologize,” he wrote.

DESIBUZZCanada sent Liberal Party public relations person Raman Bajwa the letter, asking for comment from Falcon and the party and hasn’t heard back from her in two days. Either they know Falcon made a big boo-boo and are hoping to sweep it under the carpet or they are also disrespecting ethnic media.

During the swearing in this week, Falcon was at the legislature with his family for the swearing in ceremony and said he’s happy to be back to doing politics. 

“After being away from politics and focusing on my family for the past decade, it is a real honour to be back as an MLA and Leader of the Official Opposition,” said Falcon. “I’m back because of my daughters, and the issues that their generation is facing today, and into the future. Massive issues like climate change, the lack of affordable housing, skyrocketing costs of living, the failure to care for those suffering from mental health and addictions issues, the fact that we are now witnessing a healthcare system on the brink of collapse, and the desperate need for a revitalized economy to attract investment. People are worried about the future and they aren’t seeing plans, action, or leadership from John Horgan and the NDP.”

Falcon won his seat on April 30, 2022, after winning nearly 60 percent of the vote in the Vancouver-Quilchena by-election.

 “I look forward to bringing issues forward to the government from British Columbians in all corners of the province, and holding John Horgan and the NDP accountable for the widening gap between their rhetoric and actual results over their past half-decade in power,” added Falcon. “It’s time to turn the page and put forward a positive vision for B.C. and get the big things done once again here in British Columbia. The hard work starts today!”

The knock against Falcon has been that he is a rightwing ultra Conservative with negative view of social benefits and not being a friend of working people with his previous policies and track record as Minister. He also came under fire for supporting racist politician Maxime Bernier and this “racial joke” incident is a bad way to restart his political career.