A B.C. Conservative MLA is under fire for posting a map that referred to Western Canada, including most of B.C., as a separate state under the protection of the U.S. Read More
David Williams says he failed to read the fine print when he shared a map that shows most of B.C. as part of the ‘Republic of Western Canada’ and a ‘protectorate’ of the U.S.
David Williams says he failed to read the fine print when he shared a map that shows most of B.C. as part of the ‘Republic of Western Canada’ and a ‘protectorate’ of the U.S.
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A B.C. Conservative MLA is under fire for posting a map that referred to Western Canada, including most of British Columbia, as a separate state under the protection of the United States.
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David Williams, the MLA for Salmon Arm-Shuswap, posted a graphic on Facebook that identified most of B.C., the Yukon, Alberta and Saskatchewan as the “Republic of Western Canada” and a “protectorate” of the United States.
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The graphic, which marked those provinces and territory in red, excluded the B.C. south coast and Vancouver Island.
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In a screenshot of the post shared on social media and by the B.C. NDP, Williams wrote: “We must not give up on the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. Confederation has not been fair to western provinces. Something needs to change.”
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The post appeared on Williams’ Facebook account on Sunday, said an NDP spokesman, and taken down shortly afterwards.
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It comes amid heightened U.S.-Canadian tensions over trade and annexation threats and days before U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs against its trading partners on Wednesday.
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Forestry Minister Ravi Parmar, who represents Langford-Juan de Fuca, said the post is an “appalling” example of pro-Trump and pro-U. S. rhetoric from the Conservatives.
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“Canada will never be the 51st state,” he said. “To have another Conservative MLA make these weird, divisive posts is mind-boggling.”
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He called on Conservative Leader John Rustad to explain why his MLA appears to be “rolling over” and not standing up for British Columbians.
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“As we are about to debate in the house on ways to strengthen our economy and respond to Trump’s tariffs and also look at the devastating impact on our industries, including forestry, John Rustad has to answer for his MLA and make clear whose side he is on.”
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Asked by reporters, Rustad declined to comment and referred questions to Williams.
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On Thursday, Williams told Postmedia he shared the graphic because he believes Western Canada should have a stronger voice in federal matters, but failed to read the text in full before posting it online.
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He was on the road driving to Vernon when he posted it, he said, “then when I stopped somewhere, I realized it says ‘protectorate’ and I thought ‘that isn’t good’ and I pulled it off.
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“No way do I believe we should be a protectorate of the United States.”
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He believes, however, that western provinces have reason to feel alienated from Ottawa, and while he said he does not endorse separation, he admits without the reference to a U.S. protectorate, he probably would have kept the post up.
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“What we really need is a strong western voice so for a change, the west gets their fair share in Confederation.”
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