MLA-elect Lorne Doerkson strongly denounced racist remarks by fellow B.C. Conservative party candidate Marina Sapozhnikov.
"To see that is absolutely disgusting," said Doerkson, who added he does not know Sapozhnikov, who ran for the B.C. Conservatives in the Juan de Fuca-Malahat riding in the recent B.C. election. He said her comments "show how out of touch this individual is."
Sapozhnikov has come under fire after comments she made during an election-night interview with a journalism student were reported on in the Vancouver Sun. During the interview, the journalism student Alyona Latsinnik reportedly recorded Sapozhnikov calling Indigenous people "savages" and speaking against the NDP government's adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
Sapozhnikov's comments have resulted in a flood of backlash, from Indigenous leaders and academics to her own B.C. Conservative party leader, John Rustad.
It is not yet clear whether or not Sapozhnikov will remain a member of the B.C. Conservative party. While Rustad spoke out against the comments themselves, he has made no indication she will be removed from the party.
Doerkson said he could use any number of adjectives to describe Sapozhnikov's comments.
"It's appalling that anybody would think those things or suggest them."
"I, along with our community have worked so hard to advance reconciliation and relationships in our community," he said. "I would never, ever condone a comment like that."
Doerkson said he is looking forward to getting back to the legislature with so much happening in our community.
"I think that whoever's victorious today should call the legislature back and we should get busy. Let's get to work."
