Latest news with #EnriqueMachado
Montreal Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- Montreal Gazette
Projet Montréal distances itself from councillor's ‘unacceptable' comments about Indigenous people
Montreal Politics A Montreal borough councillor has resigned from Projet Montréal after making a disparaging comment about Indigenous people on social media. Enrique Machado, a Venezuelan-born councillor representing Verdun's Champlain–Île-des-Sœurs district, came under fire after replying to a video posted on TikTok by Venezuelan influencer Sofia Saavedra, which showcased a new 3D advertisement screen in Caracas. Machado wrote, in Spanish: 'Seriously? Are you surprised by this? Hahaha. Venezuelans are like Indigenous people, give them mirrors and little shiny things and they'll be amazed.' The remark was widely condemned online, including by Saavedra herself. She posted a follow-up video on TikTok saying she has formally complained against Machado to the city council. Machado has reportedly apologized on social media, but his Facebook account has since been deactivated. In a statement to The Gazette, Projet Montréal spokesperson Arianne Beaupré called the remarks 'unacceptable' and said it did not reflect the party's values. 'The values of inclusion, respect and the need to actively contribute to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples are at the heart of the principles that guide Projet Montréal's mission,' Beaupré said. 'Mr. Machado's comment contradicts the values of our party, our leader and the mayor.' Machado was then summoned by the party, she said, after they became aware of the situation. He later chose to resign from the caucus and end his political career with Projet Montréal. 'We believe this is the right decision under the circumstances,' she said. He will now sit as an independent for the remainder of his term.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Verdun councillor resigns from party after disparaging comments about Indigenous people
Venezuelan influencer Sofia Saavedra denounced comments made on social media by Verdun borough councillor Enrique Machado that disparaged Indigenous people. He has since resigned. A Verdun borough councillor has resigned from Projet Montréal after making disparaging comments about Indigenous people on social media. Enrique Machado, who represents the Champlain–Île-des-Sœurs district and is originally from Venezuela, made the remarks under a post by Venezuelan influencer Sofia Saavedra, which praised a new 3D advertisement screen installed in Caracas. In the comment, he wrote in Spanish: 'Seriously? Are you surprised by this? Hahaha. Venezuelans are like Indigenous people, give them mirrors and little shiny things and they'll be amazed.' The comment drew swift backlash from Saavedra and others on social media. In a statement, Projet Montréal called the remarks 'unacceptable.' 'The values of inclusion, respect, and the need to actively contribute to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples are at the heart of the principles that guide Projet Montréal's mission. Mr. Machado's comments are contrary to the values of our party, our leader, and the mayor,' the party said. Following the backlash, Machado withdrew his candidacy in the upcoming municipal election. He had been part of the team supporting Verdun borough mayoral candidate Céline-Audrey Beauregard. 'After reflection, Mr. Machado informed us of his decision to withdraw from the Projet Montréal caucus and not to seek re-election for another term. We believe this is the right decision under the circumstances,' the party wrote. According to reports, Machado later apologized on Facebook. However, his account has since been deactivated, and his X profile has been made private. Machado is serving his first and only term as a municipal councillor. He is expected to remain in office as an independent until Nov. 2.
CBC
6 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Projet Montréal candidate leaves caucus after insulting Indigenous people
Verdun borough councillor Enrique Machado has left the Projet Montréal caucus and won't seek re-election after he made disparaging comments on social media about Indigenous people. Less than a week ago, the party presented its "experienced" team for the election campaign in Verdun, which included the borough councillor. Machado, who is of Venezuelan descent, commented under Venezuelan influencer Sofia Saavedra's TikTok video, which celebrated the installation of a 3D ad screen in Caracas. In Spanish, he wrote: "Seriously? Are you surprised by this? Hahaha. Venezuelans are like Indigenous people, give them mirrors and little shiny things and they'll be amazed." After the influencer and other users denounced his comments, Machado changed the privacy settings for his profile. But screenshots of his comments had already been circulating. Departure from Projet Montréal Tuesday, Machado apologized in a Facebook post and announced his decision to withdraw his candidacy in the Nov. 2 municipal election. "I did not mean to be offensive or contemptuous in any way. I apologize. These clumsy comments do not represent my thoughts or my values," he wrote. A spokesperson for the Montreal mayor's cabinet said in an email that "Machado's comments are unacceptable and incompatible with the values upheld by our administration." Projet Montréal spokesperson Arianne Beaupré said in an email that given the circumstances Machado made the right decision to leave caucus and not seek re-election. Born in Venezuela, Machado arrived in Canada in the summer of 2010 when he was 28. He served only one term as a municipal councillor. He will remain in office as an independent councillor until Nov. 2.
