Liberal candidate Paul Chiang withdraws from race after suggesting people claim China’s bounty on Conservative

Embattled Liberal candidate Paul Chiang has announced his decision to drop out of the race for the Markham-Unionville riding following allegations that he may have broken the law. The RCMP is currently investigating whether Chiang’s comments urging people to turn in a Conservative candidate to the Chinese consulate in exchange for a bounty violated any laws.

In a statement posted on social media, Chiang expressed his desire to avoid distractions during this critical time when Prime Minister Mark Carney and Team Canada are working to protect the economy from the challenges posed by President Donald Trump. He acknowledged the need to step aside in order to support the party’s efforts without any hindrances.

This decision comes after Carney initially indicated that Chiang could remain in the race following an apology for his offensive remarks. However, mounting pressure from opposition parties and various organizations led to calls for Chiang to be dropped from the race and for a police investigation into the matter.

Chiang’s controversial comments were made at a news conference earlier this year, where he suggested that individuals could hand over the Conservative candidate, Tay, to the Chinese consulate for a reward offered by Hong Kong police. Tay, who was seeking the Liberal nomination in Chiang’s riding at the time, is now running in Don Valley North. The situation escalated when Hong Kong police issued an arrest warrant and bounty for Tay, prompting concerns for his safety.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre expressed Tay’s fear for his life, and Tay himself rejected Chiang’s apology, stating that he had sought personal protection from the RCMP. Various organizations, including Hong Kong Watch and activist Gloria Fung, called for a police investigation to determine if Chiang’s actions constituted a violation of foreign interference laws.

Despite his resignation from the race, Chiang maintained that he had served his community with integrity and dedication. Carney, who had initially defended Chiang as a person of integrity, has yet to comment on the latest developments. Chiang’s resignation marks a significant turn of events in the race for the Markham-Unionville riding, leaving the Liberal Party to search for a new candidate to represent the community in the upcoming election.