Close X
Friday, January 24, 2025
ADVT 
National

Brown: Indian diplomat pushed back when he used the words "Sikh nation"

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 05 Dec, 2024 05:40 PM
  • Brown: Indian diplomat pushed back when he used the words

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said foreign interference did not tip the scales in the Conservative party's last leadership race that installed Pierre Poilievre at the helm.

But he offered up Thursday that he changed some of the language he was using after getting pushback from an Indian diplomat that some of his comments could sound like he was endorsing ideas of Sikh nationalism.

Brown, who was a candidate for the leadership in 2022, was summoned to a House of Commons committee Thursday to answer questions on the 2022 race after a report from a committee on national security referred to allegations of Indian interference in an unspecified Conservative leadership campaign.

"I don’t believe foreign intervention affected the final outcome of the Conservative leadership race," Brown told the House of Commons public safety and national security committee Thursday.

A CBC/Radio-Canada article this week quoted several confidential sources from Brown’s campaign alleging that representatives from India’s consulate interfered to undermine his leadership bid.

On Monday, Brown posted on social media about the committee's summons to say that he had no new evidence to add, and that the public inquiry on foreign interference was the proper venue to evaluate the allegations.

Brown insisted to the committee Thursday that no members of the Indian government reached out to him or his campaign workers during his leadership bid, saying the relationship was "already very strained" at that point.

The CBC News story also contained allegations that his national campaign co-chair Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner was pressured to withdraw her support for Brown — something she denied.

When NDP MP Alistair MacGregor quizzed him on the news report, asking why she left the campaign, Brown said she left seeking to launch her own leadership bid to replace UCP leader Jason Kenney in Alberta — not from pressure from India.

"At no time when we talked about her departing the campaign did she ever say it was over pressure from the consul general," he said.

He said the article likely referred to a conference call more than a month before she left, after the consul general raised concerns with Rempel Garner about Brown using the words "Sikh nation."

“The consul general had expressed directly to (Rempel Garner) that, obviously that was something they didn’t agree with, that it could be viewed in nationalistic terms towards the Sikh community," he said.

That led him to change the language he was employing to a Punjabi term that he said meant the same thing.

Liberal MP Jennifer O'Connell asked if that's "an appropriate election activity by a foreign government,” charging it was a clear instance of foreign interference.

Brown replied that Indian officials "have been more robust in their opinions than some of us would be comfortable with.”

A bombshell report by the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians into foreign interference released last spring referred to "India’s alleged interference in a Conservative Party of Canada leadership race."

Brown said he was not under any kind of non-disclosure agreement with the Conservative Party that prevents him from speaking publicly about what happened during the race.

He said he believes it's important to guard against foreign meddling in democracy but that he does not want to get drawn into partisan debates on Parliament Hill.

Brown was not included as a witness in the public inquiry into foreign interference, which wrapped up hearings earlier this fall with a final report due in the new year.

He was disqualified from the party's 2022 leadership race due to allegations related to financing rules in the Canada Elections Act.

MORE National ARTICLES

Weekend training exercises at Metrotown mall

Weekend training exercises at Metrotown mall
Mounties in Burnaby are telling the public not to be alarmed as emergency responders conduct training exercises at a major shopping mall. Police say fire, police and emergency responder presence will be visible at Metrotown during eight evenings this month and next.

Weekend training exercises at Metrotown mall

Leaders spread out around the province as week two of campaigning in B.C. continues

Leaders spread out around the province as week two of campaigning in B.C. continues
Politicians are continuing to promote their promises across British Columbia as the provincial election campaign nears its midway point. British Columbia's election day is on Oct. 19.

Leaders spread out around the province as week two of campaigning in B.C. continues

Beyond the Stereotypes: A Deep Dive into the International Student Experience

Beyond the Stereotypes: A Deep Dive into the International Student Experience
The narrative around international students in Canada is further complicated by prevalent stereotypes, which can unfairly depict them as contributors to housing shortages and job competition rather than recognizing their vital role in the country’s educational and economic landscape. We delve into the personal stories of three international students who share their experiences and challenges in this increasingly complex environment.

Beyond the Stereotypes: A Deep Dive into the International Student Experience

Industry minister echoes Shopify calls to boost ambition in Canada

Industry minister echoes Shopify calls to boost ambition in Canada
Canada's industry minister has thrown his support behind a call from one of Shopify Inc.'s leaders for the country to get more ambitious. Among the buzziest talks was one from Shopify president Harley Finkelstein, who told the audience on opening night that he had noted a lack of ambition in Canada that he likened to a "600-pound beaver in the room."

Industry minister echoes Shopify calls to boost ambition in Canada

Man arrested in Fort Nelson arson

Man arrested in Fort Nelson arson
A 41-year-old man has been charged in connection with a June 15th arson in Fort Nelson. Mounties say they were called to the scene where a heavy-duty tow truck and a car were allegedly set on fire in a secure tow lot. 

Man arrested in Fort Nelson arson

Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city

Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city
The City of Kamloops says three pit bulls involved in a deadly attack on another dog last month tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine and it wants the animals put down.  Kamloops community services manager Will Beatty says the drugs were found in the dogs' systems after they hopped a fence and mauled a 13-year-old border collie to death. 

Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city