North Island–Powell River Conservative candidate Aaron Gunn has expressed alarm to learn that a pro-NDP group bussed anti-forestry activists to protest his campaign over the weekend.
Gunn took to social media after media reports indicated that protesters were being bussed to the area.
“VERY disturbed (but not surprised) to see reports of my NDP opponent busing in activists from Victoria, to ‘protest’ outside my office in Campbell River,” Gunn wrote in a post to X. “EVEN MORE outrageous, this ‘protest’ was being advertised and supported by anti-forestry groups — even though forestry is the bedrock of so many North Island communities (including Campbell River). I will always support our incredible resource sector and workers — the Liberals and NDP will not!”
In Gunn’s post to X, he shared an article from My Campbell River Now, a local news publication. The publication said that the protest on April 12 was organized by Stop the vote split North Island—Powell River, the North Island Network, and the Qathet Anti Racist Society.
However, the original version of the article claimed the event was organized by NDP candidate Tanille Johnston, who allegedly brought in a busload of supporters from Victoria.
One attendee, Stephanie Abbat-Slater, said there was a bus for people, but that it was organized by a grassroots organization, not a political party.
The article was hastily edited to remove the claim that Johnston organized the rally. Johnston was in Port Hardy hosting a meet and greet with her supporters at the time, while Gunn was in Comox Valley for his own rally.
The protest included guest speakers, such as Darren Blaney, the elected chief of the Homalco First Nation and husband of outgoing NDP MP Rachel Blaney.
Footage from the event showed protesters holding signs reading “Drop the Gunn” and “Residential schools = genocide.”
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre previously defended Gunn after a letter from Indigenous activists and local politicians accused him of denying the generational trauma caused by residential schools. Poilievre equated the accusations to “misinformation.”
Gunn was also defended by Campbell River mayor Kermit Dahl, former mayor of Courtenay Larry Jagnula, North Island MLA Anna Kindy and others in a letter of support.
While reports estimated around 50 people showed up, attendees say that at least 100 people were there.
Stop the vote split North Island–Powell River member Dianne McNeill said that while her favoured choice for prime minister was Mark Carney, the Liberals will not win the riding, so support should be consolidated behind the NDP candidate.
“If you want to stop Poilievre from gaining a seat and stop this right-wing, maple maga extremist from becoming our MP, you MUST rally behind Tanille, the only one who has a chance of beating Gunn,” she said.
Gunn is scheduled to host another meet-and-greet event in Port McNeill on Apr. 16, with online activists now vowing to protest outside.
In 2015, North Island—Powell River had 79,517 electors. The Stop the vote split Facebook group has just under 500 members. As of Tuesday, the Conservatives have a greater than 99 per cent chance of winning the riding, according to 338Canada. The Conservatives are expected to garner 46 per cent of the vote, followed by the NDP at 26 per cent and the Liberals at 21 per cent.