In a surprising turn of events, Conservative candidate Mark McKenzie has been removed from his position as the party's candidate for the upcoming federal election after controversial comments made during a podcast resurfaced. McKenzie, who was vying for a seat in the Ontario riding of Windsor-Tecumseh-Lakeshore, faced backlash for jokingly suggesting that former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should receive the death penalty, as well as expressing support for public hangings.
McKenzie, a city councillor in Windsor, Ontario, spoke to Global News on April 1, 2025, explaining that his remarks were made in a comedic context during a podcast he co-hosted in 2022. "It was all a joke," he insisted, adding that he regretted the comments. McKenzie stated that the podcast was intended to be humorous and that his co-host, who had a known disdain for Trudeau, had sparked the discussion about public hangings in other countries. "My co-host at the time was not a big fan of Justin Trudeau, so we jokingly said about public hangings in other countries. It was all a joke. It was a comedy podcast, right?" he said.
Despite his insistence that the comments were taken out of context, McKenzie acknowledged that they were in poor taste. He received a call from party officials on the morning of April 1, 2025, asking about the podcast. Shortly after admitting to the comments, he was informed that he would no longer be the Conservative candidate for his riding. "I got a call this morning from some party officials and they asked about the podcast. They said, ‘Well, do you remember it?' And I said, ‘Well, yeah, I said that.' And they said, ‘Did you disclose it?' I said yes, it was disclosed," he recounted.
McKenzie, who previously worked as a radio host for a Bell Media-owned station, claimed that he felt pressure to adopt an edgy style during his time on air. He noted that advertisers encouraged him to maintain a provocative tone, particularly during a tumultuous period in Canadian society marked by COVID-19 lockdowns and the emergence of the Freedom Convoy movement. "It was during a very controversial time in our country with the lockdowns and everything like that," he explained. Looking back, he expressed regret over his comments, especially regarding public hangings, stating, "I shouldn’t have said especially the public hangings and that type of stuff. I do not support the practice."
The Conservative Party's decision to remove McKenzie comes in the wake of another controversy involving a federal candidate. Liberal candidate Paul Chiang announced on March 31, 2025, that he was stepping down from his candidacy in the Markham-Unionville riding after making offensive comments in January about Conservative Joe Tay. Chiang had suggested that Tay should be handed over to Chinese officials in exchange for a bounty, remarks that were described as "deeply offensive" by Liberal leader Carney.
At a campaign stop in Edmonton on April 1, 2025, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was asked about the ongoing controversies surrounding candidates from both the Liberal and Conservative parties. He remarked that, as of yet, his party had not faced similar issues but emphasized that they would make the best decisions for the country and democracy if such situations arose.
As the political landscape shifts, McKenzie expressed disappointment over his removal and indicated a desire to apologize to Trudeau for his comments. However, he noted that he had not heard from party leadership since the incident. Global News reached out to the Conservative Party for a comment regarding McKenzie’s removal but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
McKenzie’s case highlights the growing scrutiny candidates face over their past statements, particularly in a climate where social media and public opinion can rapidly escalate controversies. As the federal election approaches, parties are increasingly cautious about the public image of their candidates, especially when it comes to sensitive topics that can provoke strong reactions.
In light of the recent events, political analysts suggest that parties may need to implement stricter vetting processes to avoid similar situations in the future. The incidents involving McKenzie and Chiang serve as reminders of the potential consequences that can arise from seemingly offhand remarks, particularly in a politically charged environment.
As the election campaign heats up, it remains to be seen how these controversies will impact voter sentiment and the strategies of the Conservative and Liberal parties moving forward. With public attention focused on candidate conduct, both parties will likely need to navigate these challenges carefully to maintain their credibility and support among constituents.
