Dozens of protestors descended upon Conservative candidate Aaron Gunn's campaign office in Campbell River on Saturday afternoon.
According to My Campbell River Now, the protest was organized by Stop The Vote Split North Island-Powell River, the North Island Network, and the Qathet Anti Racist Society.
The event featured numerous guest speakers, including Darren Blaney the elected chief of the Homalco First Nation and husband of former NDP MP Rachel Blaney.
Most of the criticism levelled at Gunn by the protestors centred around allegations of residential school "denialism." He, and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, have vehemently denied those claims, with the latter deeming them "misinformation."
Footage of the rally shows protestors holding signs, some of which read "drop the Gunn" and "residential schools = genocide."
"VERY disturbed (but not surprised) to see reports of my NDP opponent busing in activists from Victoria, to 'protest' outside my office in Campbell River," Gunn wrote in a post on Twitter/X. "EVEN MORE outrageous, this 'protest' was being advertised and supported by anti-forestry groups - even though forestry is the bedrock of so many North Island communities (including Campbell River). I will always support our incredible resource sector and workers — the Liberals and NDP will not!"
Neither Gunn nor NDP candidate Tanille Johnston were in Campbell River at the time. The former was campaigning in Comox while the latter was over in Port Hardy.
Stop The Vote Split North Island-Powell River has urged those on the left in the region to rally behind Johnston, pointing out that the Liberals' Jennifer Lash is polling well behind her and Gunn.
"We have to stop the split or he will likely win," local activist Dianne McNeill wrote in a post on Facebook following the protest. "Carney may be the best choice for PM (at the very least the only one who can beat Poilievre) — but the Liberals and Greens will never take the north island/qathet. So … If you want to stop Poilievre from gaining a seat and stop this right-wing, maple maga extremist from becoming our MP, you MUST rally behind [ Johnston], the only one who has a chance of beating Gunn."
McNeil has since hinted that she and others will protest an event Gunn is set to host in Campbell River on April 16.
