Smith denounces racism after Goudreau tweet
Progressive Conservative candidate says he does not seek, welcome support of extremists
Peterborough-Kawartha Progressive Conservative candidate Dave Smith issued a statement on Tuesday to denounce racism after a white nationalist group tweeted in support of him.
The Canadian Nationalist Front, whose chairman Kevin Goudreau lives in Peterborough, published a tweet on May 30 with a photo of a large Smith lawn sign.
“Say hello to my little sign,” read the tweet from the Front’s account, which is written by Goudreau.
The Canadian Nationalist Front is a group that wants to make this country a white homeland.
The tweet was retweeted a few times on Monday, with Twitter users asking Smith why white nationalists might be supporting him or his party.
Smith was canvassing on Tuesday and wasn’t available for interview, but emailed a statement to The Examiner.
“I have never, nor will I ever solicit or welcome the support of any extremist group or individual,” Smith wrote.
“I find it reprehensible that any individual or organization would intentionally choose to continue to distribute any material or images produced by any extremist group or individual.
All Ontarians, regardless of their ethnicity, religion or background should be treated as equal. Should I win, I am looking forward to represent all of the people of Peterborough Kawartha after June 7th as their MPP.”
Goudreau was the organizer of the anti-immigration and anti-Trudeau rally that was expected to take place in Confederation Square on a Saturday in late September.
But he didn’t show up. Instead, more than 1,000 people crammed the square to denounce racism and called it Solidarity Weekend.
But despite the peaceful intent, clashes erupted: One between anti-racism protesters and a man in a Nazi T-shirt, and another between anti-racism protesters and police, leading to two arrests.
Meanwhile it’s a close race in the bellwether riding of Peterborough-Kawartha.
One online election projection, the Election Projection Project, called for a win for Smith on Monday, although another election projection, by Prof. Barry Kay of Wilfrid Laurier University, said it was too close to call in this riding.
‘‘ I have never, nor will I ever solicit or welcome the support of any extremist group or individual. DAVE SMITH