A Surrey-based non-profit has filed a complaint with ElectionsBC, citing concerns that a campaign to recall Surrey-Green Timbers MLA Rachna Singh is perpetuating “hate and vitriol.”
“Sher Vancouver can no longer stand idly by as we see the misinformation, outright lies, bullying, harassment, and queerphobia occurring under the recall campaign against Minister of Education and MLA for Surrey Green-Timbers Rachna Singh,” reads a Sher Vancouver media release Friday (Dec. 22).
Founded in 2008, Sher Vancouver is a registered charity for 2SLGBTQIA+ South Asians and their friends, families, and allies in the Vancouver area.
The recall petition was filed by Gurdeep Jassal of Surrey, according to Elections BC. In the application, Jassal stated the main reason for recalling Singh is because he believes “children are being indoctrinated in B.C. public schools.”
The petition to recall Singh, who is B.C.’s education minister, was issued on Nov. 30, and Jassal has until Jan. 29, 2024 to collect signatures from more than 40 per cent of eligible voters registered in the riding.
Amrit Birring is listed as Jassal’s financial agent for the recall petition. Birring is the leader of the Freedom Party of B.C., which has organized marches in Surrey as part of an ongoing campaign to “boot SOGI123 from BC Schools.”
The group has also called on Singh multiple times to resign.
In an emailed response to the Now-Leader Birring said, “We are only defending the right of children of an indoctrination free education.”
“A lot of things happening in BC Schools have nothing to do with human rights but everything to do with propaganda, e.g. putting dozens of non-Canadian Flags in Schools,” Birring said.
“Students are being bullied and abused into believing something that they don’t believe in,” Birring added. “And recall Rachna Singh campaign is about sending this message from parents to the Government.”
READ MORE: Petition to recall B.C. education minister approved by Elections BC
Sher Vancouver Founder Alex Sangha said he believes that every citizen has the right to launch a recall campaign, but not at the cost of others.
“Democracy cannot be distorted and weaponized against 2SLGBTQIA+ people to deny them their human rights,” Sangha said.
B.C.’s education system has come a long way in being inclusive, said Annie Ohana, a teacher at L.A. Matheson Secondary and Sher Vancouver board member.
“Instead of perpetuating harm, the education system is ensuring human rights are of foremost importance,” Ohana said.