Comfort Sakoma, vice-chair of the Vancouver Police Board, has resigned following backlash over controversial social media posts. The Nigerian-Canadian board member, appointed in February 2022, faced widespread criticism after her Instagram posts expressed concerns about Hinduism becoming a dominant cultural influence and eroding Christian values.
Her comments on mass immigration and assimilation also sparked a social media storm, as reported by Daily Mail. She claimed that these trends are “transforming Canada into a place where a shared identity is disappearing” and expressed that she “doesn’t recognize my country anymore.”
“The implications of an immigration system that allowed for mass immigration without considering cultural integration, combined with a growing aversion to assimilation, are slowly transforming Canada into a place where a shared identity is disappearing,” said Sakoma.
“I don’t recognize my country anymore.”
Sakoma also made provocative comments about Indian culture and Hinduism. She spoke about her son’s participation in a Diwali celebration at school and expressed concern it was helping to “erase Christian values from the lives of our children.”
“Recently, my son was invited to participate in a Diwali celebration at school, and it took me some time to realize that the push for secular education isn’t about religion – it’s about erasing Christian values from the lives of our children,” Sakoma wrote.
“Now, those values are being replaced by those of a new dominant group. First, they’re participating in Diwali celebrations; next, they’re drawing parallels between Hindu values and Canadian ones. Before we know it, those values will be the new norm, and Hinduism could become the dominant culture of influence.”
“If I want an Indian experience, I’ll go to India,” she added.
“The reason Canada is such a tolerant society is because Christianity, the dominant religion here, is inherently tolerant, and our society reflects those values.”
“We often forget that one of the largest slave trades was the Arab slave trade,” she said. “Have the Arabs apologized to anyone?”
Frank Chong, chair of the police board, confirmed Sakoma’s resignation in a statement on November 22, describing her comments as “inconsistent with our code of conduct.”
“Recent statements posted on social media by the vice-chair of the Vancouver Police Board do not reflect the values of the board and are inconsistent with our code of conduct,” Chong said.
“While I value the many contributions Comfort Sakoma has made as a member of this board since 2022, these statements have made her continued service on the board untenable. This afternoon, I requested and received Comfort’s resignation from the Vancouver Police Board.”
Sakoma’s resignation marks the third departure from the Vancouver Police Board since June 2023. In an Instagram response, Sakoma cited pressure to step down and thanked supporters.
She argued that expressing widely shared concerns, even echoed by the national Conservative Party leader, led to her resignation, which she views as indicative of a broader societal issue, CTV News reported.
“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the hundreds of Canadians from coast to coast who have sent me messages of support. Your encouragement means the world to me. I love this country and will fight for it because my son deserves to grow up in a place where everyone can thrive authentically, without fear of persecution.”
