Conservatives drop candidate over disgustingly transphobic bathroom meme a week before election. He’s refusing to stand down
Roland Michaud, the New Brunswick Progressive Conservatives candidate for the state legislative assembly in Victoria-La Vallee
A Canadian Progressive Conservatives candidate has been roundly condemned and removed by his party over a Facebook meme encouraging violence against trans people in bathrooms.
Roland Michaud, the New Brunswick Progressive Conservatives candidate for the state legislative assembly in Victoria-La Vallee, was dropped after transphobic post surfaced just a week before the September 14 election.
A meme shared to Michaud’s personal Facebook page in 2018 said: “A man followed a young girl into a Target bathroom in Texas saying he self-identified as a woman.
“The man’s teeth were knocked out by the girl’s father, who says he self-identifies as the tooth fairy.”
Roland Michaud was dropped as the New Brunswick Progressive Conservatives candidate for the state legislative assembly in Victoria-La Vallee over his anti-trans post
Progressive Conservatives leader Blaine Higgs has pulled support from Michaud over the “offensive” meme.
While it is too late for him to be removed from the ballot, Higgs said that if elected, he would not be permitted into the party’s caucus — which currently holds 20 of the 49 seats in the legislative assembly.
He has called for Michaud to drop out of the race, making clear: “While I respect everyone’s right to have their own personal views, I cannot endorse the promotion of messaging that is clearly sexist, offensive, and hurtful to many people.
“I especially cannot accept anything that incites violence against any community and I certainly cannot endorse that form of a person seeking public office.”
According to Huddle, he added: “I know some might think this is a risk – asking a candidate to withdraw so close to election day. We are in a minority government. It’s no secret I’m in a vulnerable situation.
“I am trying to win a majority, and clearly every seat counts. But I’ve never shied away from doing what’s right – even if it hurts me politically. That’s not my way.”
Roland Michaud says he’s sorry but won’t withdraw from race.
In a video posted to his Facebook page, Michaud insisted he had “not withdrawn from the race” and “will still be on the ballot” ahead of the election on September 14.
He insisted: “I’m a blue collar ordinary guy just like you, and ordinary people make mistakes. I’ve admitted to that and I’ve apologised. I’m only human, just like you.
“I’m asking you to give me a chance, give me a chance to prove that it won’t happen again. I’m still on the ballot for Victoria-La Vallee, and I can still be the voice that you folks need, so give me the opportunity to prove to you who I am.”
