North Island–Powell River Conservative candidate Aaron Gunn has had more social media posts uncovered with remarks that are concerning Vancouver Islanders.
Earlier this month, many past and present elected officials signed an open letter calling for Gunn’s resignation after social media posts resurfaced that praised Russian leader Vladimir Putin for his anti-LGBTQ+ initiatives.
Additionally, Gunn had made posts on social media claiming the harms caused by residential schools in Canada did not qualify as genocidal.
These posts caused some outrage amongst those in the North Island–Powell River riding and beyond; however, many people still supported Gunn and his views, including Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.
Related:
- Vancouver Island elected officials push for and against Aaron Gunn’s resignation
- Vancouver Island Conservative candidate under fire for past comments praising Putin
Now, in the latest past post to resurface, Gunn claimed in 2018 that the gender gap does not exist.
“This is not only inaccurate, but extremely damaging to women who are paying the cost of not receiving equal pay for equal work,” Dr. Teale Phelps Bondaroff told Victoria Buzz.
“These views are rooted in sexism and misogyny and make it clear that Gunn would undermine the hard-fought reproductive and equality rights.”
Phelps Bondaroff is a District Councillor in Saanich and the Chair of Access BC. He says that as an advocate for women’s health, equity and equality, these views, and Gunn’s views on abortion are of concern to all women.
“While he is not an incumbent, Mr. Gunn also appears to have taken a firm anti-choice/pro-forced birth position,” said Dr. Phelps Bondaroff in an email to Victoria Buzz.
“Gunn recently told the Campaign Life Coalition (CLC) that he is against abortion: ‘In conversation with a CLC representative, it was determined that Aaron Gunn is pro-life.’”
Phelps Bondaroff says that the CLC’s purpose is to elect candidates who will restrict abortion access and their endorsement of Gunn makes it clear that he would advocate and vote against the right to choose.
“It is shocking and worrying that the Conservative Party of Canada continues to stand behind this candidate,” continued Phelps Bondaroff.
“It is disturbing that the Conservative Party would field candidates who would roll back hard-fought rights to access reproductive health care in our country. That these candidates include Aaron Gunn, with his history of residential school denialism, is alarming.”
Currently, Gunn is leading the polls in his electoral district of North Island–Powell River with a projected 51% of the vote, whereas NDP candidate Tanille Johnston is trailing with 26%.
