Windsor
The Conservatives are no longer running theircandidate in the southwestern Ontario riding of Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore this federal election over past comments the party says are "unacceptable."
'Mr. McKenzie will not be the Conservative candidate,' party says during Week 2 of federal election campaign
CBC News
·
Podcast comments sink Mark McKenzie's aspirations as Tory federal candidate 4 days ago Duration 2:18
The Conservativecandidate in the southwestern Ontario riding of Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore is no longer running for the party in this federal election campaignover past comments.
Mark McKenzie is a city councillor and former radio personality in Windsor.
"The comments are clearly unacceptable. Mr. McKenzie will not be the Conservative candidate," aparty spokesperson said.
- 'I won't give up on you': Essex NDP candidate vows, launching campaign
- Conservative Chris Lewis launches re-election campaign in Essex
The development was first reported byCTV News during the second week of campaigning for the April 28election.
The broadcaster said it unearthed a 2022 podcast recording during which McKenzie expressed support for public hangings and jokingly suggested Justin Trudeau, the Liberal prime minister at the time, should receive the death penalty.
McKenzie was no longer listed as a candidate on the party's website as of Tuesday morning.
CBC News has emailed and texted McKenzie for comment but he hadn't responded by publication time.
However, in an interview with radio station AM800, he called the party's decision disappointing and hoped it would revisit the decision.
- 'Existential threat:' Local Liberal candidates focus on Trump battle at campaign launch
- Canada Votes 2025: Here's who's running in the Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent and Sarnia areas so far
McKenzie said he is not in favour of public hangings, but questioned why taxpayer dollars are being used to keep infamous killersalive.He also saidhisTrudeau comment was a joke.
The deadline for the party to name a new candidate is April 7. McKenzie's name still appears on the Elections Canada website as a candidate.
Riding has new boundaries
Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore is a newly redrawn riding that includes part ofWindsor and neighbouring communities.
Liberal Irek Kusmierczyk, who has represented theriding since 2019, is seeking re-election. Alex Ilijoski of theNew Democratic Party,Nick Babicof the People's Party of Canada andBeth St. Denis of the Christian Heritage Party of Canada have also declared they're running.
- 'You get a fighter,' NDP candidate Brian Masse says launching re-election campaign
- 'Windsor-Essex is ready for change', says Conservatives' Harb Gill, running for Windsor West
Lydia Miljan, a professor of political science at the University of Windsor, noted McKenzie was able to get through the party's vetting processdespite these comments, but acknowledged the Conservativestook swift action.
"Nonetheless,the party did the right thing by saying, 'OK, we know it now and you are not fit to stand for our party,'" she said.
Host says podcast was 'comedy and joking'
Chris Tolmie was McKenzie's co-host on the podcast in question. Hesaidtheir dialogue was intended to be humorous.
"Obviously, in hindsight, a lot of people have not found that funny," he said, adding that in today's political climate, he's not surprised.
"Words have consequences ... If people want to hold him to a standard and don't believe he should represent Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore, or the Conservative Party, that's up to them.
"For the most part, the podcast was comedy and joking. Was he serious at the time? You'd have to ask him specifically, but in my mind, I was never serious on that podcast."
With files from Dalson Chen
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices·
About CBC NewsCorrections and clarifications·Submit a news tip·
Related Stories
- Federal Conservative candidate in Nipissing-Timiskaming steps down
- Kathy Borrelli to be new Conservative candidate for Windsor-Tecumseh-Lakeshore
- Conservatives drop B.C. candidate in New Westminster—Burnaby—Maillardville
- Conservatives drop 4th candidate, this time in Etobicoke North
- Conservatives drop Quebec candidate for accusing Polytechnique survivor of exploiting shooting
