NDP calls for Conservatives to drop Chilliwack candidate over LGBTQ+ remarks

NDP calls for Conservatives to drop Chilliwack candidate over LGBTQ+ remarks

Published 12:25 pm Friday, October 2, 2026

The B.C. NDP is once again calling on the B.C. Conservatives to drop a candidate over previous remarks ahead of Saturday’s deadline.

Vancouver-West End NDP incumbent Spencer Chandra Herbert called on Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson Friday to drop Chilliwack North incumbent Conservative candidate Heather Maahs over her comments about LGBTQ+ people and conflating it with grooming and pedophilia.

“Heather Maahs, as a B.C. Conservative candidate, has been clear in her hatred, her name-calling, her stereotyping, her bullying of gay British Columbians. She’s brought an organization into the legislature which says homosexuality is immoral.”

He pointed to a 2022 podcast appearance where Maahs referred to the “monster of the SOGI curriculum” and some books that were in B.C. school libraries. At the time, Maahs was a school trustee with the Chilliwack School District.

“This is not just sex education that’s gone too far. This is way over the top. This is – you said maybe grooming – it’s for sure grooming. It desensitizes kids, and it’s all under the name of LGBTQ because it’s boy on boy.”

SOGI, or Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, is not a curriculum, but a resource used by B.C.’s Education Ministry. It was implemented in 2016, however, the provincial government ended its relationship with the foundation as the resource had since been developed.

Chandra Herbert also pointed to how, in 2025, Maahs invited the Christian lobby organization Association for Reformed Political Action to the legislature, a group known for its opposition to abortion, medical assistance in dying and youth gender transition. The organization has equated homosexuality and immoral behaviour.

“Immoral behaviour should not be excused or legitimized based on the social construct of sexual orientation,” its website reads.

At the time, then-B.C. Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko condemned the party for hosting the organization.

Today In BC has reached out to the B.C. Conservatives for comment from the party, Maahs or Doerkson.

The party instead provided an emailed statement from Dion Weisner, the Conservative Party of B.C. candidate for Vancouver-West End. Weisner took aim at Eby, Chandra Herbert and the last nine years of NDP government instead.

“After nine years of NDP government, life in British Columbia costs more, the family doctor every British Columbian was promised by the end of 2025 never showed up, and West End streets have more crime and disorder every year.”

Weisner added that, as a gay man, he knows his “community cares about what every British Columbian cares about: good jobs, a home we can afford, a doctor when we need one, and safe streets. The NDP have failed us on all of it.”

“Now, three weeks before British Columbians vote, my opponent and David Eby are rehashing old attacks to distract from their record and divide British Columbians against each other,” he said.

“Every British Columbian deserves respect and dignity. We support anti-bullying programs that keep every student safe. We also believe what’s taught in our classrooms should be age-appropriate.”

It was the second such call from the B.C. NDP in as many days. On Thursday, New Westminster NDP candidate Jennifer Whiteside called for Doerkson to drop North Island candidate Anna Kindy due to her 2022 remarks around the COVID-19 vaccines.

The Elections BC deadline for candidates is Saturday, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m.

READ MORE: NDP calls on Conservatives to fire North Island candidate over 2022 vaccine claims