Eastern Ontario Green Party candidate withdraws night before election following 'unacceptable' comments
The Green Party riding association for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke says their candidate, Michael Lariviere, has withdrawn his candidacy following comments at a local debate.
Lariviere compared proof of vaccination systems to Nazi Germany during the debate on Sept. 14.
"I don't want to have to walk around with a passport," he said in response to a question asking whether candidates support the efforts to encourage vaccinations against COVID-19.
"The way I look at it is, the Gestapo and the German military during the Second World War wanted people to be tattooed and this is the next—the beginning of that step."
In a Facebook post late Sunday night, the riding association apologized for Lariviere's comments.
"It was recently brought to our attention that Green Party candidate Michael Lariviere made unacceptable comments at an all candidates’ debate last week," the post says. "We deeply regret Mr. La Riviere’s (sic) offensive statements and apologize sincerely for the distress his words have caused. Mr. Lariviere has now withdrawn his candidacy."
In a reply to a comment on the Facebook post, the party said Lariviere "made offensive and untrue comments during the campaign that bordered on hate speech" and apologized for any distress.
The post came just under 12 hours before polls opened on Election Day. Lariviere's name will remain on the ballot because it is well past the official withdrawal date.
John Epps, the CEO of the Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke Green Party Association told CTVNewsOttawa.ca by phone that Lariviere was contacted by the party when his comments came to light, but he refused to retract them or apologize.
"There is no room in the Green Party of Canada for this kind of behaviour," Epps said. "I, as his delegate, apologize to our supporters for any discomfort this may have caused."
Epps is the individual who answered the phone number listed on Elections Canada's website for Lariviere.
Lariviere did not appear on the Green Party of Canada's website as a candidate on Monday.
Other candidates running in the riding include:
- Conservative Party: Cheryl Gallant (incumbent)
- Liberal Party: Cyndi Mills
- NDP: Jodie Primeau
- People's Party of Canada: David Ainsworth
- Independent: Stefan Klietsch
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.