Former Conservative B.C. candidate says party removed him over past podcast comments

Former Conservative candidate Lourence Singh from the Metro Vancouver riding of New Westminster—Burnaby—Maillardville recently spoke out about his removal from the party’s slate. Singh revealed that he was dismissed due to comments he made about the Chinese government in a podcast four years ago.
Singh, a real estate agent who had been actively campaigning in the riding, expressed his shock at the abrupt decision made by the party. He disclosed that he was informed of his removal during a nine-minute phone call with a party official on April 1. The official cited remarks Singh made on a podcast called A Little Bit Serious with Sahib in February 2021 as the reason for his dismissal.
In the podcast, Singh discussed the Chinese government’s form of governance and its impact on the country’s development. He highlighted that different forms of government can yield positive outcomes for citizens, acknowledging the progress China has made under its current system. However, the Conservative Party’s stance on authoritarian dictatorships, particularly the Chinese Communist Party, led to Singh’s removal as it contradicted the party’s firm anti-Chinese government stance.
Despite filing an appeal and submitting a petition with over 450 signatures requesting reinstatement, Singh did not receive a response from the party. He was informed during the initial call that the decision was final. Determined to continue his campaign efforts, Singh announced that he would run as an independent candidate in the riding.
The Conservative Party introduced Indy Panchi as the new candidate for the New Westminster–Burnaby–Maillardville riding. Panchi, a resident of New Westminster and founder of Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen, brings a fresh perspective to the campaign. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre joined Panchi and local candidates to unveil the party’s drug recovery plan, emphasizing the need for funding recovery treatment for individuals facing addiction.
Singh expressed his friendship with Panchi but questioned the timing of the replacement, considering the substantial groundwork he had laid in the riding. The Conservative Party’s decision to drop at least six candidates, including Singh, reflects the challenges parties face in ensuring candidate alignment with party values.
As Elections Canada mandates finalization of candidates by a specific deadline, any removal after that point can complicate the voting process. Once ballots are cast, they cannot be altered, making it crucial for parties to carefully select and maintain their candidates throughout the election campaign.