File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Marty Hastings

BC Votes

Kamloops Centre MLA-elect Milobar condemns election night slurs made by Conservative candidate

Oct 26, 2024 | 10:46 AM

KAMLOOPS — Recently-elected Kamloops MLA Peter Milobar took to social media on Saturday (Oct. 26) morning to denounce racist slurs made by fellow party member Marina Sapozhnikov, the B.C. Conservatives’ candidate in Juan de Fuca-Malahat.

Milobar said her remarks are reprehensible and fill him with outrage and sadness, referring to an interview Sapozhnikov gave on election night (Oct. 19).

During an interview with a Vancouver Island University student, a recording of which was given to Postmedia News on Thursday (Oct. 24), she said about 90 per cent of First Nations Peoples were savages who did not have any sophisticated laws before Europeans came to North America.

B.C. Conservatives’ leader John Rustad has condemned the remarks, but some are calling for Sapozhnikov to be removed from the party and Green Party leader Sonia Fursteneau told the Vancouver Sun actions speak louder than words.

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Terry Teegee, elected regional chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations, told Postmedia the comments appear to be lip service, noting Conservative South Surrey MLA-elect Brent Chapman remains in the party despite making racist comments.

Kamal Grewal, the B.C. NDP candidate who ran against Milobar in the Kamloops Centre riding, called on him to denounce racism and extremism in the B.C. Conservatives in a media release on Oct. 13.

“With under a week until election day, people expect, no matter the party, that there are consequences for racism,” said Grewal. “The voters of Kamloops Central need to hear directly from Milobar about whether he is comfortable running alongside the likes of Brent Chapman.”

CFJC Today reached out to Milobar for further comment. He says his intent is to let the thoughts and words in the social media post stand.