EASTERN PASSAGE – NDP Leader Claudia Chender failed the leadership test by approving an NDP candidate to run for her party, despite a public record of harmful, antisemitic comments.
Eastern Passage NDP candidate Tammy Jakeman was dropped as a candidate today after her public antisemitic comments were brought back to light yesterday. Chender once described Jakeman as an “amazing Nova Scotian” and a “fierce advocate for equity and justice for all.”
Barbara Adams, PC candidate for Eastern Passage and Minister responsible for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism, said Nova Scotians are shocked that Chender let Jakeman run again for the NDP with such a public record of hurtful comments.
“Leadership is about making the tough calls and keeping people with hateful views from running, even party stalwarts and past candidates like Tammy Jakeman,” said Adams. “Nova Scotians need and deserve a full accounting from Claudia Chender about how she let Ms. Jakeman run with her public record of harmful statements.”
Former NDP Leader Gary Burill also introduced Jakeman from the gallery of the Nova Scotia legislature in 2020.
“It seems like the NDP were willing to turn a blind eye to anti-semitism and hate to let a party insider run again,” added Adams.