MP-elect Kevin Vuong says he will sit as an independent amid calls to resign
Amid calls for his resignation, MP-elect Kevin Vuong reiterated that he plans to represent Spadina-Fort York as an independent in the House of Commons.
Vuong released a new statement Saturday evening, announcing his intentions to keep his job.
"I have decided to continue as an Independent Member of Parliament for Spadina-Fort York and will work hard to serve the community," Vuong said.
In the statement, he also apologized for "the lack the disclosure."
The MP-elect was removed as the Liberal Party's candidate for Spadina-Fort York two days before the election following a Toronto Star report that revealed Vuong faced a sexual assault charge in 2019 that was later dropped by the Crown.
His latest statement comes a day after the riding's former Liberal MP Adam Vaughan urged Vuong to relinquish the seat. Speaking to CP24 Friday, Vaughan said Vuong lied and was not forthcoming during the vetting process.
"The reason he needs to resign is very clear. One, the mandate is compromised. He didn't earn it with a clear vote and didn't get a clear mandate," Vaughan said.
The revelation of Vuong's past charge came after thousands had already cast their vote in advanced polls. He also still appeared as the Liberal candidate on the ballot on election day as it was too late to remove him.
Vuong won the downtown Toronto riding with 38.9 per cent of the vote.
Since winning the seat, residents in the riding and officials have called for Vuong to step down.
Vaughan said he told the MP-elect to resign to show respect to the residents and that a byelection should be called to determine who will represent the riding in Ottawa.
He said Vuong ignored the advice.
"I warned him that in doing so, he was going to create significant problems for himself," Vaughan said.
"If he takes office, he will take office under this cloud. He will take office in a way that is quite controversial and without, as I said, a clear mandate."
Vuong has refused to talk to the media but has denied the allegations against him and said in an earlier statement issued earlier this week that he will "address them at a later date more wholly in a dedicated forum."
In that same statement, he acknowledged that "not everyone is happy" he was elected.
“I appreciate that not everyone is happy with my election, and I very much understand why it is different in my case," he said. "For those who feel this way, I understand the source of your doubts and I will work hard to earn your trust."
- with files from Codi Wilson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.