Close X
Friday, January 10, 2025
ADVT 
National

Sturko refuses to meet former police board vice-chair, defying B.C. Opposition leader

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 Dec, 2024 11:05 AM
  • Sturko refuses to meet former police board vice-chair, defying B.C. Opposition leader

B.C. Conservative public safety critic Elenore Sturko is refusing to meet a former Vancouver Police Board vice-chair in defiance of the wishes of party leader John Rustad and a group of colleagues, who have backed the woman over controversial social media posts.

Sturko says in an interview she's not "challenging" Rustad, but it's "disappointing" he didn't tell her he was going to publicly post on social media that he met Comfort Sakoma-Fadugba, and Sturko should too.

Sturko reportedly told the CBC that Sakoma-Fadugba's resignation last month was appropriate, and she had made online comments that were offensive, including to the transgender community.

Sturko says in an interview she doesn't intend letting the issue harm her working relationship with her colleagues or Rustad, and she will meet him in Victoria today.

Former RCMP officer Sturko's defection to the Conservatives ahead of the B.C. election was a pivotal moment for the party and Rustad's efforts to create what he called a "big tent" party.

But tensions within the party were exposed by various responses to Sakoma-Fadugba's exit from the police board. Her posts on Instagram had included remarks about the impact of multiculturalism on "Canadian values."

Sturko says she knew when she joined the party there would be differences of opinion but she has "no desire to deepen any real or perceived rift" within the caucus.

"Not seeing that post (by Rustad) before it went up was disappointing, but it hasn't taken away from my desire to continue working with John to improve our province," she said.

"I think that having challenges (is) part of what it means to be in a caucus with a diversity of views in it. It's unfortunate that it spilled over into the public realm, because it gives people at least a perception that could be negative," she said.

Sturko says diversity within the caucus is "great," calling the differences of opinion a "distraction."

The row became public last week when journalist Jas Johal posted a letter on social media that was signed by 13 Conservative MLAs calling for a "written apology" from Sturko to Sakoma-Fadugba.

The document posted by Johal says Sakoma-Fadugba expressed the views of many Conservatives, and if Sturko didn't apologize and meet her then Rustad should.

Johal said on social media late Monday he had been threatened by a former Conservative candidate and he was reporting the matter to police.

MORE National ARTICLES

Avian flu at another farm

Avian flu at another farm
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says avian flu has been detected at another commercial poultry farm in Abbotsford.  The agency says there are now 66 locations in B-C where the virus has been found.

Avian flu at another farm

Shooting suspect on the lam in Abbotsford

Shooting suspect on the lam in Abbotsford
Police in Abbotsford say a shooting suspect is on the loose after officers were called to a Harris Road property early yesterday morning.  Police say the owner encountered an unknown man on his property and the suspect fired shots before running away after an unspecified interaction with the property owner. 

Shooting suspect on the lam in Abbotsford

Body found in Burred Inlet

Body found in Burred Inlet
Police in Port Moody say they're investigating the discovery of a dead body floating in Burrard Inlet over the weekend. Police say the body was reported on Saturday at a boat launch at Rocky Point Park. 

Body found in Burred Inlet

Edmonton police investigating after infant found dead in parking lot

Edmonton police investigating after infant found dead in parking lot
Police in Edmonton are investigating the death of an infant discovered in a shopping centre parking lot.  They say officers were called Saturday afternoon to the shopping complex in the city's south end and found the body. 

Edmonton police investigating after infant found dead in parking lot

BoC expected to lower interest rates again, with odds leaning toward larger cut

BoC expected to lower interest rates again, with odds leaning toward larger cut
Financial markets and forecasters are betting on another jumbo interest rate cut from the Bank of Canada this week. Statistics Canada's latest job report tilted expectations in favour of a larger cut. 

BoC expected to lower interest rates again, with odds leaning toward larger cut

Salvation Army says holiday donations down 50 per cent since mail strike began

Salvation Army says holiday donations down 50 per cent since mail strike began
The Salvation Army says holiday donations are down 50 per cent since the Canada Post strike began, amounting to a drop of roughly $9.3 million in seasonal giving compared to this time last year. 65 per cent of The Salvation Army's annual fundraising occurs between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, roughly two-thirds of that by mail.

Salvation Army says holiday donations down 50 per cent since mail strike began