B.C. Muslim groups call for campaign manager's resignation

Muslim organizations in British Columbia called for B.C. Conservative campaign manager Katy Merrifield to resign over social media posts about Islam, according to an October 13 report by Joseph Ruttle in the Vancouver Sun.

The Unified Muslim Associations in B.C. joined the B.C. Muslim Association and other critics seeking her removal. Musa Ismail, speaking for the coalition, said Conservative candidates would not be welcome at its Muslim centres and mosques during the campaign unless party leader Lorne Doerkson acted.

The newspaper reported that Merrifield removed a June repost and described it as a momentary lapse linked to past trauma. Critics said she had not apologized and had amplified further anti-Islam statements. Conservative candidate Zeeshan Wahla called the original language unacceptable but defended her explanation. Doerkson had not addressed the resignation calls in recent public appearances, the report said.