Title: B.C. Conservative Party Fires Pregnant Staffer Over Tweet

A pregnant staff member of the British Columbia Conservative Party was terminated from her position after posting a controversial tweet on Truth and Reconciliation Day. Lindsay Shepherd, who was 32 weeks pregnant and nearing maternity leave, expressed her views on social media, which led to her dismissal by party leader John Rustad.

In her tweet, Shepherd criticized the symbolism of the Orange Shirt and Orange Flag, stating they perpetuate false narratives about Canadian history. She claimed, "The Orange Shirt and the Orange Flag perpetuate untruths about Canadian history, such as the grandest lie of all that 215 children’s graves were unearthed in Kamloops." She further expressed her discontent with the visibility of these symbols at the provincial parliament, calling it a disgrace.

Shepherd shared her experience of being fired in a video on her social media account, where she played a recording of the Human Resources department informing her of the decision. She stated, "I was fired by John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of BC, for a post on X."

The backlash against Shepherd's tweet was significant. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, publicly condemned her comments, calling them "shocking" and "absolutely disgusting." He described her views as a form of residential school denial, which he labeled a "terrible, racist sickness."

In response to the criticism, the Conservative Party faced pressure to act. Shepherd noted that the party demanded she delete her tweet before ultimately deciding to terminate her employment. She expressed her belief that the party was yielding to external pressures, stating, "The B.C. conservatives, they are giving the other side so much power."

Shepherd, who has previously been involved in free speech advocacy, argued that her comments were in line with her beliefs. She has a history of defending her right to express controversial opinions, stemming from her past experiences at Wilfrid Laurier University.

The incident has sparked a debate about free speech and the limits of expression within political organizations. Critics argue that firing someone for their opinions, especially during a sensitive time, raises questions about the party's commitment to open dialogue. Shepherd's termination came with only two weeks of severance pay, and her benefits were cut off just as she is preparing to welcome her third child.

Rustad has not publicly addressed the specifics of the situation or the decision to terminate Shepherd's employment. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding discussions of Indigenous history and the complexities of political discourse in Canada.