Unauthorized Liberal Candidate Kevin Vuong Says He Won’t Stand Down If Spadina-Fort York Wins

Beleaguered Toronto candidate Kevin Vuong will continue to represent the Spadina-Fort York leadership, he announced Wednesday.

Vuong continued to lead in the city center from Wednesday afternoon.

He was removed by the Liberals just days before the election, after the Toronto Star revealed that he had been charged with sexual assault in 2019, a charge that was later dropped by the Crown.

He denied doing anything wrong.

“On Monday, Canadians across the country cast their votes. Not all will have obtained the result they wanted, but all are counting on those chosen to dedicate themselves to the service of all those they represent, ”he said in a statement tweeted on Wednesday.

“That is what I intend to do.

“I appreciate that not everyone is happy with my choice and I understand a lot why it is different in my case,” he said. “For those who feel this way, I understand the source of your doubts and will work hard to earn your trust.”

Vuong’s decision means that he will sit as an Independent in the House of Commons.

He said he would address the sexual assault allegations “at a later date more fully in a dedicated forum.”

Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca asked Vuong not to take his seat in the House of Commons, and on Wednesday Toronto City Councilman Joe Cressy echoed that call after the statement. by Vuong.

“Kevin Vuong did not earn the right to represent our Spadina-Fort York community,” Cressy tweeted. “You should do the right and honorable thing and step aside.”