A Conservative candidate in Quebec has apologized for a Facebook post that tried to draw a parallel between the words of NDP leader Tom Mulcair and comments attributed to Joseph Goebbels, Hitler's propaganda minister.
In a now-deleted post from Aug. 16, Soheil Eid, Tory candidate in the riding of Joliette, wrote in French: "Mentez mentez, il en restera toujours quelque chose," which translates as, "Lie lie and something will always remain."
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In the post, Eid attempted to draw a line between the words of Goebbels and Mulcair's public statements on the proposed Energy East pipeline project, which would pump oilsands crude from Alberta through Quebec to markets overseas.
Eid claimed the NDP leader tells Albertans he supports the project while also telling Quebecers he would stop it.
Mulcair has publicly stated several times during the election campaign that Energy East could be a boon for Canada, but he won't make a decision on the project until after a robust and thorough environmental assessment.
A conservative spokesperson said Eid's comments were inappropriate, but he's still running as a candidate. (Soheil Eid Conservateur/Facebook)
A Conservative spokesman apologized on behalf of Eid, saying his comments were "inappropriate," but the party stopped short of dropping him as a candidate.
Asked about the controversy Tuesday, Mulcair said Eid's comments were a reflection of a Conservative tone in Quebec being fostered by Denis Lebel, Stephen Harper's lieutenant in the province.
Lebel has called Mulcair a "turncoat" and an "impostor" -- language the NDP leader described as "demagogic."
"Denis Lebel is directly responsible for this situation," Mulcair said.
Several candidates, and not only from the Conservatives, have been criticized for their social media posts since the campaign began.
Earlier this week, Tory candidate Wiliam Moughrabi had to explain some violent and sexist content he posted on his Facebook account. Calgary Liberal candidate Ala Buzreba resigned last week over a string of offensive tweets she posted as a teenager.
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