Attack ads against BC NDP candidate Chak Au in Chinese media have ramped up, with one negatively implicating the City of Richmond, much to the chagrin of Mayor Malcolm Brodie.
BC Liberal-approved ads found in Chinese newspapers state city council approved, in 2014, a marijuana grow-op close to a school.
“I am deeply disappointed when anyone misrepresents the record of council. I don’t believe these attack ads are accurate,” said Brodie, who has called on the papers to ban future ads.
“The idea that there is any marijuana around children is not accurate,” added Brodie.
The ads target a council decision to approve a legal, (federally-regulated) medical marijuana research and growing facility in an industrial area, south of No. 5 Road and Steveston Highway, next to the RCMP headquarters.
The City of Richmond also sent out a news release Tuesday, on the matter:
"The facility was to have very strong security and environmental controls. There are no schools or residential areas within the immediate vicinity. The facility was not intended to do any business with the general public," stated spokesperson Ted Townsend.
Brodie wished to clarify the city has taken a proactive and tough stance on illegal pot dispensaries.
“We haven’t taken a complacent attitude as they have in Vancouver,” he said.
The facility council approved shut down in 2015. Council subsequently approved another facility in north Richmond.
Such facilities would only be considered on a case-by-case basis, noted Townsend, and approved through a site specific rezoning process, requiring a public hearing.
A BC Liberal spokesperson told the News on Tuesday that the party stands behind the ads.
Au, a city councillor, is running in the Richmond South Centre riding against long-time incumbent Linda Reid. Au said the Liberals are targeting Christian Chinese voters, mostly from Hong Kong, with the “false information.”
Au said Chinese-language ads have attacked other NDP candidates for positions on drug legalization.
The tactics, he said, are similar to those shown by the federal Conservatives in the 2015 election.
