Why this matters to you:

• In front of a room of people, Conservative candidate Mike Hicks said First Nations “have to be conquered,” then said it again. His words matter.
• No real accountability: Hicks tried to explain the comment away instead of taking responsibility for it.
• A better way forward: Dana Lajeunesse says you can grow the economy, create good jobs and move projects forward while respecting First Nations rights.

"When I heard BC Conservative candidate Mike Hicks say that First Nations ‘have to be conquered,’ I thought I must have heard wrong. Then he said it again.

"I was just as shocked as everyone else in the room.

"Mike Hicks’ attempts to explain away his comments miss the point. The word 'conquered' carries a long and painful history, and regardless of the point he was trying to make, there is no place for that kind of language today.

"People in our community deserve an MLA who takes responsibility for their words and actions, and who works to bring people together, not divide us.

"We can grow our economy, create good jobs and move important projects forward while respecting First Nations rights and advancing reconciliation.

"That’s the approach I believe in, and one I’ll always stand for."