(Time Magazine/time.com)

By Glenn Hicks

Image controversy

P.A. election candidates react to Trudeau ‘brownface’ controversy

Sep 19, 2019 | 11:43 AM

Initial reaction from Prince Albert federal election candidates to the Justin Trudeau “brownface” photo controversy has been largely muted.

An image taken 18 years ago of the Liberal leader wearing Aladdin fancy dress with brown facial make-up emerged Wednesday. Other images on other occasions of Trudeau in ‘brownface’ and possible ‘blackface’ have emerged. He has apologized for his actions admitting it was racist.

Local Liberal candidate Estelle Hjertaas told paNOW in a statement:

We recognize that what happened was wrong and racist. The PM was very clear and sincere about his regret and apology. We are focused on a positive campaign here in Prince Albert that respects diversity and inclusivity and will continue to focus on issues that matter to people in the riding and all Canadians.

Conservative candidate Randy Hoback told paNOW he “would be talking to constituents about the controversy today and may have comment later.”

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Kelly Day of the People’s Party of Canada called Trudeau’s actions blatant hypocrisy and suggested his apology was “fake.”

“The Liberals have blatantly called people ‘Nazis’, ‘white supremacists’ and ‘racists’ for a few years now and it’s been very divisive, so I do find it ironic,” Day told paNOW. “He has a lot to say that sounds really nice, this is why it’s important for people to look deeper into [his] actions.”

paNOW reached out to the campaign of NDP candidate Harmony Johnson-Harder but did not receive an immediate response.

The Green Party candidate for Prince Albert, Miranda Friske, has withdrawn from the race for personal reasons. It was not immediately clear if a replacement is being sought.

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glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow