Organizers of a rodeo in southern Alberta are apologizing for a parade float with a turban-wearing man in a fake beard seated on a manure spreader with the words “The Liberal” painted on the side.
Calgary area Conservative MP Jasraj Singh Hallan has condemned the float as “absolutely disgusting”
This is absolutely disgusting. These kinds of acts have no place in Canada. This should be condemned in strongest terms by all. https://t.co/y9OZNcXbYI
— Jasraj Singh Hallan 🇨🇦 (@jasrajshallan) June 25, 2022
Photos of the float from the event in Sundre, Alberta, about 80 kilometres northwest of Calgary, circulated on social media and drew condemnation from a Sikh group in Calgary, who say the float was racist.
Sundre Pro Rodeo posted a statement from its parade committee on Facebook saying the float had not been approved and had joined the parade without passing through any registration.
Some people who commented on the apology questioned the accusation of racism, noting the man in the turban and beard, who was not in blackface, was meant to depict federal N-D-P Leader Jagmeet Singh as a Liberal lapdog.