A Vancouver Island Liberal candidate who posted controversial comments on social media questioning the validity of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks has resigned.
Maria Manna, candidate for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford, confirmed she handed in her resignation Monday morning, but would not implicitly say it was because of the 9-11 comments.
She told CTV News that years ago, she questioned the official account of the terrorist attacks on Facebook and found it had offended people – prompting her to remove the post.
Manna was hit with backlash last week after her comments came to light, with many calling for her resignation.
“I fully support Justin Trudeau, the Liberal team, and the real change they are bringing to Canadians,” she said in a statement emailed to media. “This election is far too important to have my past opinions and comments detract from that goal. I sincerely apologize to those I have offended. I will continue to devote myself to my music and humanitarian work.”
A Liberal spokesperson confirmed the party already named a replacement candidate for the riding.
Luke Krayenhoff, who has previously served as a management consultant for TransLink and the B.C. government, will run in the riding.
