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poilievre backs paterson as conversion therapy allegations resurface

allegations of bryan paterson's involvement in conversion therapy at a kingston church have returned online during election campaign

by elliot ferguson
published apr 03, 2025
read time 1 minute read
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read time 1 minute read
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poilievre backs paterson as conversion therapy allegations resurface
conservative leader pierre poilievre speaks at an appearance at cancoil in kingston. elliot ferguson / the whig-standard
kingston — conservative leader pierre poilievre backed his kingston and the islands candidate after stories about his involvement with a church where conversion therapy was practiced.
in his second appearance in as many days in the riding, poilievre said the allegations that bryan paterson was involved with conversion therapy were old news.
“mr. paterson renounced conversion therapy years ago and so the question is not accurate,” poilievre said in response to a question about the party’s vetting of candidates.
four conservative candidates and one liberal candidate have either dropped out of the race or been removed by their parties for controversial statements.
poilievre did not say anything negative about paterson’s candidacy.
“our vetting process is stronger than all the other parties,” poilievre said. “that’s why we have a zero tolerance for anyone who acts unacceptably.”
elferguson@postmedia.com
elliot ferguson
elliot ferguson

elliot ferguson’s hands were ink-stained as a child from delivering his hometown newspaper and, since studying journalism at carleton university and photojournalism at loyalist college, he has continued to deliver the news. he started with the whig-standard in 2011, and prior to that worked for the woodstock sentinel-review and the simcoe reformer. elliot currently covers municipal affairs and the environment, but his true passion is photojournalism and visual storytelling. along the way he has collected numerous provincial, national and international awards for his photography and writing.

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