Federal conservative leadership candidate disregards masks, social distancing at Kelowna function

Derek Sloan, who is running for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada, is showing by example that he not only is opposed to mandatory mask wearing but isn’t big on social distancing either.

Sloan has posted on Facebook and Twitter pictures of a recent gathering in Kelowna, Monday, Aug. 10, where there are more than 50 people in attendance – which is not allowed under B.C. COVID-19 rules – but there appears to also be no masks worn by any of the attendees and no physical distancing.

“In my opinion, Canadians who feel more comfortable while wearing a mask should feel free to do so if they wish, but I am 100% against ever making masks mandatory,” he said in a July 23 Tweet that complained about countries jumping on the mandatory mask bandwagon.

Other pictures on his Facebook page, showing rallies in places like Chilliwack, Mission, Surrey, Richmond and Burnaby, don’t show anyone wearing masks either, even though some are indoors.

“WOW, Kelowna, thank you for your outpouring of support!” he posted above the Kelowna pictures.

In April, he called for Canada’s chief medical health officer Dr. Theresa Tam to step down and questioned her loyalty to Canada. He refused to apologize even in the face of criticism from his own party.

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