Cloverdale-Langley City riding’s Conservative nomination: Brar and at least one other South Asian ordered to withdraw

Paul Brar
Paul Brar

 

BY RATTAN MALL

 

THE VOICE has confirmed from sources that Surrey businessman Paul Brar and at least one other South Asian candidate (if not both the remaining South Asian ones) have been ordered by the Conservative Party to withdraw their nomination from the Cloverdale-Langley City riding.

Sources say the candidates are likely to appeal, but the party will not bend.

The nomination meeting is scheduled for November 8 (Saturday) at AJ McLellan Elementary School at 16545 61 Avenue.

There are six contenders for the nomination: three South Asian – former Conservative MP Gurmant Grewal, Surrey businessman Paul Brar, and former Liberal MLA Dave Hayer – and three white – life insurance salesman Mike Garisto, former Langley city councillor Dean Drysdale, and Surrey business lawyer Tako van Popta.

Although there are three South Asian contenders, South Asians comprise only 10 per cent of the riding’s population. East Asians form another 10 per cent and the rest are all white.

Sources say that the party had received a deluge of complaints against some candidates and the party didn’t want a situation where someone wins the nomination (because of mass sign-ups) but ends up losing the seat.

The VOICE learned on Wednesday that Hayer has not been barred.59007

Dave Hayer
Dave Hayer
Gurmant Grewal
Gurmant Grewal