Public letter from the office of MLA Anna Kindy
The public deserves the truth. Aaron Gunn has been a tireless advocate for taxpayers, a firm supporter of our resource sector, and a nationally-renowned filmmaker on important issues such as public safety and the addictions crisis.
As elected representatives from across the North Island-Powell River riding, we feel compelled to speak out in strong support of Aaron Gunn, whose character and record have been profoundly misrepresented in a troubling smear campaign.
Specifically, the false accusations of residential school denialism have been particularly egregious. Aaron has repeatedly recognized the truly horrific experience of many First Nations who attended the schools and has always condemned these institutions where abuse occurred.
Aaron’s only contention, that residential schools did not meet the threshold of “genocide,” and that Canada is not a “genocidal state” is hardly unreasonable and certainly not disqualifying from representing our incredible region.
We stand with Aaron Gunn, recognizing his dedication to North Island-Powell River, and his determined efforts to bring about meaningful change. We urge media outlets, interest groups and individuals alike to uphold fairness and accuracy in their reporting, and to foster a public discourse where differing views are heard- not silenced.
We strongly support Aaron representing the Conservative Party on the ballot and encourage residents to vote for who they believe will best represent our region on Election Day.
Signed,
- Kermit Dahl, Mayor, City of Campbell River
- Ben Lanyon, Councillor, City of Campbell River
- Ron Kerr, Councillor, City of Campbell River
- Doug Chapman, Councillor, City of Campbell River
- Larry Jangula, Former Mayor, City of Courtenay
- David Summers, Regional Director, Woss, Mount Waddington Regional District
- Jim Palm, Councillor, City of Powell River
- Brennan Day, MLA, Courtenay-Comox
- Anna Kindy, MLA, North Island
- Aaron Gunn, Residential Schools and the Meanings of Genocide – Cortes Currents
- Elected and Former Politicians Calling For Aaron Gunn To Step Down – Cortes Currents
- First Nation Leaders Call Upon Conservative Party To Drop Aaron Gunn As A Candidate – Cortes Currents
- Aaron Gunn responds: About Residential Schools – from his Twitter feed
- Aaron Gunn Responds: About Putin – from his Twitter feed
Top image credit: Looking across to Campbell River – Roy L Hales photo
Roy, I’m sure you are aware of recent events at the SRD concerning the 2025 budget that was shoved through at the very last minute. there was a certain amount of concern after Kermit Dahl, the mayor of Campbell River and a member of the board declared that he was refusing to pay their share of overhead costs to the tune of $1.3 million and left it to staff to deal with it. The result was an increase of 4% in the budget for all electoral areas except for Area C’s increase which was 30%! This was railroaded through at the last minute by the majority of Campbell River board members with no explanation.
It is worth noting that the 4 members of Campbell River city council who endorsed Aaron Gunn in a letterhead from the legislative assembly are all members of the SRD board and were largely responsible for this act of discrimination against Area C.
Yes, I asked an accountant to help me out on the financial story.
As regard this article, this is their joint press release.
I interviewed the two women organizing the joint letter of elected and former politicians calling for Gunn’s resignation (numbering 47 at this moment, and growing) here: https://cortescurrents.ca/elected-and-former-politicians-calling-for-aaron-gunn-to-step-down/