By Canadian Press

Racist slurs during Conservative leadership debate not surprising: Lewis

Jul 9, 2020 | 12:25 PM

OTTAWA — Conservative leadership candidate Leslyn Lewis says racial slurs directed at her during an online debate last night are not surprising.

Lewis, Erin O’Toole and Derek Sloan were debating B.C.-related issues when the slurs appeared in the chat box of the video conferencing program organizers used.

Lewis is the first Black candidate to run for the Conservative leadership and says she has encountered racist people during the campaign.

But she says the support from Conservatives across the country proves racist behaviour isn’t acceptable in the party.

The comments weren’t mentioned by the candidates or moderator during the event but screenshots of them circulated online after they were removed.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 9, 2020.

The Canadian Press