B.C. Conservative candidate under fire for racist remarks about Indigenous people

UPDATE — Oct. 29, 2024: During a news conference on Oct. 29, following the final election results, Conservative Leader John Rustad said Marina Sapozhnikov will not be a candidate for the Conservative Party of B.C. moving forward. Rustad called her comments offensive and said they do not represent him or the party.

A B.C. Conservative candidate has come under heavy criticism for making derogatory comments about Indigenous people during an election-night interview, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for her removal from the party.

Marina Sapozhnikov's remarks, initially reported by the Vancouver Sun, included calling Indigenous people "savages" and condemning Indigenous history courses taught in B.C. universities.

Her comments were made during an Oct. 19 interview with Vancouver Island University student Alyona Latsinnik, who later shared the recording with CBC News. In the tape, Sapozhnikov can be heard saying that Indigenous people "were savages" who "fought with each other all the time."

She also goes on to denounce the NDP government's adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, claiming it has turned non-Indigenous British Columbians into "second-rate citizens."

The candidate's remarks have sparked outrage from the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), with its president, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, calling them "disgusting" and "sickening."

"I thought that we were far beyond publicly using the word savages," he told CBC News.

"She seems to be very free and open about her beliefs and she could end up being a minister."

Sapozhnikov, who fell behind her NDP opponent in the Juan de Fuca-Malahat riding by 113 votes following a Saturday recount, has not responded to requests for comment.

Student interviewer says remarks were 'entirely unexpected'

The interview was part of a class assignment, said Latsinnik, an undergraduate student who is majoring in Indigenous studies and taking a journalism class for her minor. 

She called the remarks "entirely unexpected." 

"Marina asked me what I'm taking and I told her, and then it all sort of spiralled from there," Latsinnik told CBC News. 

"I never expected anything like that to be said, especially from someone who is running for political office and knows she's being recorded."

WATCH | B.C. Conservative candidate under fire for racist remarks about Indigenous people: 

B.C. Conservative candidate under fire for racist remarks about Indigenous people

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Duration 1:40

A B.C. Conservative candidate has come under heavy criticism for making derogatory comments about Indigenous people during an election-night interview, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for her removal from the party.

The VIU student said she made efforts to counter Sapozhnikov's statements during their interview, and that the experience left her deeply unsettled, describing it as "awful" and "bizarre."

Latsinnik also reflected on the implications of Sapozhnikov's comments. 

"Unfortunately, comments like this set us back a hundred, 200 years from the progress we've made." 

She said she believes that many who supported Sapozhnikov might have reconsidered their choice if they knew about her views.

Academics, fellow party members condemn the remarks

In an interview with CBC News, University of British Columbia political science lecturer Stewart Prest said Sapozhnikov's claims are "entirely false," adding they were "needlessly divisive at a time when B.C. is taking cautious steps towards inclusivity."

The comments have drawn strong reactions from her own party members as well. 

Kamloops Centre MLA-elect Peter Milobar, who says he married into a First Nation family, voiced his disapproval on social media, calling the comments "reprehensible" and emphasizing that "real and meaningful reconciliation can happen only through genuine conversations, shared learnings and mutual respect."

B.C. Conservative Party Leader John Rustad also condemned Sapozhnikov's statements, in a statement calling them "profoundly harmful" and inconsistent with the party's values.

"We are taking this matter seriously," his statement read. "As leader, I am committed to ensuring that our party leads with respect and understanding for all British Columbians." 

Rustad did not indicate if he is considering kicking her out of the party. 

Calls for Saponzhnikov's removal

It's a move numerous people and groups are calling for, including Grand Chief Phillip with the UBCIC and the Syilx Okanagan Nation.

In a statement Sunday, Syilx Okanagan Nation Tribal Chair Chief Clarence Louie stated Rustad should immediately "take a clear and strong stand against hate and racism, by removing her from his political party."

According to Prest, while it's "too late" to take Sapozhnikov off the ballot, Rustad still has options.

"She can be removed as a Conservative, effectively making her an Independent candidate," he said.

He added that constituents in the Juan de Fuca-Malahat riding could also initiate a recall petition to remove her from office, if she is elected.