Betty Granger

A similar controversy arose during the 2000 campaign, although with larger implications. Granger, running in the riding of Winnipeg South Centre as the candidate of the conservative Canadian Alliance party, was widely criticized for remarks that she made to University of Winnipeg students concerning an "Asian invasion". She was quoted as saying, "Canadian students can't get into some of our university programs in Vancouver and Victoria" because of an influx of Asian students, and made reference to "a well-monied population buying up blocks and blocks of real estate" in British Columbia.^[5] Concerning a recent influx of refugees from Hong Kong, she was quoted as saying, "There was a realization that what was coming off these boats was not the best clientele you would want for this country."^[6] She also claimed that some immigrants supported "Tamil terrorists".^[7]

Granger later offered a formal apology, saying, "I apologize for my remarks and any misunderstandings made at the University of Winnipeg. I am on record for increased immigration into Manitoba and my community".^[8] Granger suspended her campaign shortly after making the comments, although her name remained on the ballot.^[9] She also claimed she had been pressured to withdraw by the office of party leader Stockwell Day, Manitoba campaign chair Clayton Manness and others.^[9]

She received 3,210 votes (8.53%) in the election, finishing fourth behind the winner, Liberal candidate Anita Neville. After the election, she was censured by the Winnipeg School Board for her comments. Granger herself voted for the censure motion, and acknowledged that her comments had offended some people. She also expressed regret that some people had congratulated her for her remarks.^[10]

Her brother, former Libertarian Party candidate Dennis Owens, later claimed that Granger's remarks had been taken out of context, and noted that most of her speech had addressed the need for more immigration to Canada.^[11]

In the immediate aftermath to the 2000 controversy, Granger announced that she would not seek re-election to the Winnipeg school board in 2002. She later reconsidered and declared herself a candidate for re-election. She was defeated, finishing sixth in a district which elected three board members.^[12] In 2004, she was appointed by the Winnipeg School Board for a two-year term on a committee overseeing the Children's Heritage Fund.^[13]

Granger was hired as a campaign organizer for Stephen Harper in 2002, as Harper successfully challenged Stockwell Day for the leadership of the Canadian Alliance.^[14] Granger's role as president of a party Riding association was defended by Harper, who stated that Granger had been the victim of a "slur story" in the 2000 election: "Betty Granger is a riding president, a member in good standing. She's somebody that other members I've talked to think very highly of, and quite frankly, she was the victim of an unfair slur story in the last election campaign."^[15]