Richmond-Queensborough MLA Jas Johal Continues His Idiotic Ways This Time Apologizing For Saying NDP Cabinet Minister Jinny Sims Represented “Surrey-Panorama, Not Islamabad North”!

In the space of 24 hours, two more BC Liberal MLAs, the perennial nonsense spewing Jas Johal and Ian Paton, were forced to apologize for offensive comments made towards the lower mainland South Asian community. On Monday, Richmond-Queensborough MLA Johal apologized again, this time for saying that MLA Jinny Sims represented “Surrey-Panorama, not Islamabad North.” Johal’s apology followed outcry from the Pakistani-Canadian community. The Pakistan-Canada Association said Johal’s comment “feeds into a troubling Islamophobic narrative.” The Pakistani Canadian Cultural Association noted that Johal’s BC Liberal colleagues “clapped to strengthen and show support for his inappropriate statement.”

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

VICTORIA – In the last 24 hours, BC Liberal MLAs Jas Johal and Ian Paton have been forced to withdraw and apologize for their offensive remarks in the Legislature.

On Monday, Richmond-Queensborough MLA Johal apologized again, this time for saying that MLA Jinny Sims represented “Surrey-Panorama, not Islamabad North.”

Johal’s apology followed outcry from the Pakistani-Canadian community. The Pakistan-Canada Association said Johal’s comment “feeds into a troubling Islamophobic narrative.” The Pakistani Canadian Cultural Association noted that Johal’s BC Liberal colleagues “clapped to strengthen and show support for his inappropriate statement.”

And then yesterday afternoon, BC Liberal MLA Ian Paton suggested the South Asian community needs to keep their kids out of gangs. The comments were directed to Labour Minister Harry Bains as Paton argued in favour of an amendment that would allow children as young as 12 to work in any type of job. Paton said:

“Especially for the South Asian community, this is something I cannot believe the Minister would not stand behind this amendment with the South Asian community that know it’s important to keep their kids out of the bad end of town, keep their kids out of gangs and whatnot, to give them the opportunity to work and get a job at even age 12, 13, 14 and 15.”

After attempting to clarify his comments without apologizing or withdrawing them Monday afternoon, Paton rose in the house Tuesday to withdraw his comments.

BC NDP MLA Jagrup Brar said: “It’s disturbing to see Andrew Wilkinson’s BC Liberals disrespecting people of different backgrounds. This pattern of behaviour is offensive and hurtful to our communities. British Columbians deserve much better than what they’re getting from Andrew Wilkinson’s team.”

A lawyer for the NDP caucus is threatening to file legal action after BC Liberals used a letter of accusations written by MLA Jinny Sims’ex-staffer that she is alleging contained defamatory statements and factually incorrect statements.

Sims acknowledged that a lawyer is warning a former staffer that repeating recent allegations may amount to defamation.