Former Liberal candidate jettisoned after racism allegations among those urging Chinese to vote for Ken Sim based on race

This Karen doesn't learn a thing.

Should you vote for someone because you’re the same race? Some high profile Chinese-Canadians seem to think so.

Karen Wang, candidate for the federal Liberal Party in the 2019 byelection, published a post on her WeChat account on Sept. 1, 2022 telling fellow Chinese Canadians they must vote for Ken Sim, not for his policies, but because he’s Chinese too. 

Karen Wang’s post in Sept. 2022.

The post reads, “I fully support Ken Sim, the candidate of Chinese descent to run for mayor of Vancouver again! He lost in the last municipal election by a mere 900 votes. In this election in October 2022, Chinese voters should keep our eyes peeled. History will be made by the sacred ballet in your hand! Please vote for Ken Sim, the candidate of Chinese descent, to become the mayor of Vancouver!  ”

Karen Wang was ejected by the Liberal Party of Canada in the 2019 byelection due to a similar WeChat post. In the January 2019 post, Wang singled out her opponent, Jagmeet Singh, as “of Indian descent”, and called on her Chinese viewers to support her “as the only Chinese candidate” to “control the election race” and “make history”.

Karen Wang’s post in Jan. 2019.

After her comments ended her candidacy once the Toronto Star published them in 2019, a tearful Wang assured reporters she is not a racist and doesn’t play the race card. According to the Star local Chinese community leaders weren’t very happy with the situation at the time, saying it made the community look bad. 

But her post today endorsing Ken Sim, indicates that she hasn’t learned from the episode. She also posted a similar message on WeChat in October 2021 when Ken Sim decided to run with the new party of ABC Vancouver. 

Wang said in her post then,  “Ken Sim, a Chinese Canadian candidate officially launched the project to run for the position of mayor of Vancouver! In the municipal election next year, Chinese Canadians should learn a lesson from the last election and should not divide the votes. Let’s unite in solidarity to become a force that can influence the election result. Hopefully we can witness the history of the birth of the first Chinese mayor of Vancouver! ”

Karen Wang’s post in Oct. 2021.

Wang’s sentiments have been shared before by other high profile community members. A look at Chinese language media reveals a theme of racially-based voting advice for Ken Sim. A renowned Chinese community leader even said it would be a “disgrace” if Vancouver doesn’t elect a Chinese mayor.

This statement was made by Guo Ding, a media commentator in an opinion piece headlined “There Should Be a Mayor of Chinese Descent in Vancouver” published on “Rise Magazine”, a Chinese language media outlet in B.C. in April 2021. 

In the article, Ding talked about the increase in anti-Asian hate crimes after the outbreak of pandemic, before he switched the conversation to civic election on October 15, 2022. 

“I hope Vancouver voters reflect on the situation,” Ding wrote. “Vancouver is an internationally renowned metropolis. It will be a disgrace to Vancouver if Vancouverites can't accept a mayor of Chinese descent.”

In the next paragraph, Ding discussed the weaknesses and strengths of the four then-candidates, including Kennedy Stewart, John Coupar, Mark Marissen and Ken Sim, the only candidate of Chinese descent. At the end of the piece, Ding said, “Chinese Canadians have suffered a lot during the pandemic. We should learn from their mistakes, and manifest a better turnout in the next civic election helping Ken Sim to be elected into the Vancouver City Hall.”

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References: 

Liberal candidate’s WeChat post draws criticism for singling out race of byelection opponent Jagmeet Singh
https://www.thestar.com/vancouver/2019/01/15/as-ndp-leader-jagmeet-singh-campaigns-in-burnaby-south-a-liberal-candidate-brings-race-into-the-byelection.html

‘It makes us look bad’: Burnaby’s Chinese-Canadian community reacts to Karen Wang’s resignation over WeChat post
https://www.thestar.com/vancouver/2019/01/16/it-makes-us-look-bad-burnabys-chinese-canadian-community-reacts-to-karen-wangs-resignation-over-wechat-post.html

Guo Ding: There Should Be a Mayor of Chinese Descent in Vancouver
https://riseweekly.com/2021-04-ken-sim/