The B.C. provincial election is just a couple of weeks away, and it has been a wild 24 hours for one former Conservative Party candidate, Joachim Agou.
Several people, including a BC NDP MLA, shared photos of a racist X post that Agou shared.
The post on X that was shared last year featured a picture of U.S. President Donald Trump, with some racial commentary about London and Pakistan.
X
There were several other posts called into question, including some that many questioned in relation to the conflict in Gaza.
BC NDP leader David Eby also reacted to the post.
The current conservative leader should immediately remove this candidate and all others who spread hate – no matter which group of people is targeted. Thank you, Amna. Nobody should have to face hate like this – especially from a major political party.
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) October 8, 2026
Once the post began circulating, Agou’s X account disappeared. It has since returned, but his posts are now protected.
Following the blowback he received on social media, many called on interim Conservative Party leader Lorne Doerkson to remove Agou. After a bit of time, Doerkson did just that.
Some pundits suggested the move was performative, because no one expected Agou to win in his Victoria-Beacon Hill riding.
Agou was approached by reporters after the controversy began, but he didn’t directly respond to questions about the post. A little bit later, he formally issued an apology on his Instagram page.
“I take responsibility for my words, and I am sorry to everyone I hurt. I am truly sorry!”
Agou said he rejects accusations of racism. His apology also stated that he respects people from every background, of all faiths and none, and LGBTQ+ people.
“Everyone deserves equal dignity, respect, and safety,” he said, although he never directly addressed the post that Pakistani people would likely find offensive.
He did say, “Some older reposts no longer reflect my views. People learn and change — I have too, just as many British Columbians are reconsidering their political choices.”
The response to his post was divided. One person commented, “That’s not accountability.”
One of his followers said, “Sorry that you’re being doxxed, it’s a nightmare.”
Agou said he plans to continue campaigning for “faster health care, affordable housing, lower everyday costs, and safer streets.”
The Conservative Party has been leading the BC NDP in recent polls, and the final voting day for the B.C. provincial election is taking place in exactly 15 days, on Oct. 24.