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Conservative Party Removes Four Candidates Over Controversial Conduct

The dismissals, occurring within two days, highlight scrutiny over candidate vetting and campaign strategy in the 2025 Canadian federal election.

The Federal Conservative campaign bus leaves a federal election campaign event at Barbara Caffe, in Stoney Creek, Ont., on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre arrives on his bus for a campaign stop at Western Forest Products Duke Point Sawmill, in Nanaimo, B.C., on March 28, 2025.
Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre speaks during his election campaign tour in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada March 31, 2025. REUTERS/John Morris
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre holds an election rally in Kingston, Ont., on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Overview

  • The Conservative Party has removed four candidates from its roster within two days, citing controversial comments and social media activity as reasons for dismissal.
  • Mark McKenzie was ousted for past podcast remarks advocating public hangings and the death penalty for former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
  • Stefan Marquis was removed for social media posts that party officials deemed unacceptable, though specific posts were not publicly identified.
  • Don Patel was dismissed for endorsing a social media post suggesting deportation of individuals to India for retaliation, which the party labeled as unacceptable.
  • Lourence Singh was also removed, with the party declining to provide a reason, as internal voices call for a campaign reset to address these controversies.