BC Muslim Association calls for firing of B.C. Conservative campaign director

The B.C. Muslim Association (BCMA) has joined growing calls for B.C. Conservative campaign director Katy Merrifield to be removed from her position over a series of social media posts about Islam.

The association, described as the largest Muslim organization in B.C., has urged Interim Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson to remove Merrifield from all campaign leadership and public-facing roles.

Merrifield has described her original post as a momentary lapse linked to past trauma but has not apologized or addressed several other posts she amplified over the past four months.

The posts included statements blaming Islam for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, describing Islam as a “literal rape culture” and questioning whether the West should be suspicious of the religion.

In a statement, the BCMA said the posts could not be dismissed as a single mistake or a momentary lapse in judgment, noting that a campaign director helps shape a political party’s strategy, messaging and public engagement.

The association also called on the party to issue a public apology to Muslim British Columbians, clearly state that anti-Muslim rhetoric has no place in its organization and outline concrete measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

BC NDP candidate Grace Lore also criticized Merrifield, pointing to posts that remained online, including one describing Islam as a “literal rape culture” and another referring to New York’s mayor as “jihad-loving.”