Latest news with #BrentChapman
Global News
09-07-2025
- Health
- Global News
BC Conservative MLA Brent Chapman diagnosed with throat cancer
BC Conservative South Surrey MLA Brent Chapman says he'll be taking a step back from his critic portfolio after a diagnosis of throat cancer. Chapman told Global News he'd initially thought the lump in his throat was an infection, but tests subsequently determined it was cancerous. 'When the first diagnosis came out, that was really bad, I wasn't even processing it,' he said. ' And they said it was a later stage and it was further on. It wasn't good, but I just kind of had faith that this was going to be resolved.' He said doctors told him the lump, now about the size of a lime, is hopefully treatable without surgery; he'll be starting with radiation this summer, followed by chemotherapy. 1:46 B.C. minister Grace Lore diagnosed with colorectal cancer With the BC NDP holding a single-seat majority in the legislature, any absence or illness by an MLA could have electoral impacts. Story continues below advertisement Chapman says that while he is stepping back as Opposition critic for transit and ICBC, he won't be stepping down as an MLA. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy He said he's hopeful that his treatment will have progressed to a point by the fall sitting of the legislature that he'll be able to cast virtual votes. In the meantime, he said he's leaning on the support of his party, his wife and his children. 'My daughter, who's my inspiration, my daughter Hannah, had three cancers, and she got through them, breast cancer and ovarian and uterine cancer,' he said. 'She's been with me sort of all the way. As she says, she looked at my biopsy, and she said, 'Dad, you got this.'' Chapman last made headlines during the 2024 provincial election, when he was forced to apologize over resurfaced social media posts. 2:21 BC Conservative candidate avoids questions One post from 2017 appeared to cast doubt on whether mass shootings in Quebec and the U.S. had actually happened, while another from 2015 described Palestinians as 'little inbred walking talking breathing time bombs.' Story continues below advertisement Global News asked Chapman on Tuesday if his cancer diagnosis had given him a new perspective on the hurt those comments caused. 'I haven't really given it that much thought, to be honest with you. I'm a pretty mindful person at the best of times, to go back nine years ago and start saying, 'Well, what do you think about that?' I don't know, should I go back to high school?' he responded. 'I kind of did my time, you know, I paid my penance on that, and no it's it's not something, it doesn't it doesn't haunt me at all, and I think a lot of it (was) taken out of context.' He added that he had apologized multiple times for the comments. Chapman said he's been told his radiation therapy will be about seven weeks, followed by several more to recuperate, but added he's optimistic he'll be back on his feet soon. He added he's taken inspiration from a political opponent, NDP MLA Grace Lore, who stepped back from her own cabinet portfolio to focus on a battle with cancer and who has been voting virtually. 'She's been a fighter for her side, and I haven't seen her miss a vote yet,' he said. 'So I have a lot of admiration for what she's going through.'
CTV News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Surrey South MLA steps down from critic duties to undergo cancer treatment
Surrey South candidate Brent Chapman is seen in an image from his campaign's Facebook page. Brent Chapman, the B.C. Conservative MLA representing Surrey South, will step down from his opposition critic role as he undergoes cancer treatment, the caucus announced Tuesday. In a letter posted to social media, the MLA said he received the diagnosis recently and has begun treatment with BC Cancer. 'While this diagnosis presents challenges, I remain focused on recovery and fully committed to the work I was elected to do,' Chapman wrote. 'I remain humbled by the trust placed in me by my constituents and intend to honour that trust every day.' In the meantime, Richmond Centre MLA Hon Chan will take over his duties as transit and ICBC critic, but Chapman will keep his seat in the legislature. 'Brent will continue to serve and support the people of Surrey South throughout his treatment,' the B.C. Conservatives wrote in a brief statement. 'We stand with Brent and his family during this time.' An actor before he entered politics, Chapman was first elected in October 2024 after a campaign mired with various controversies over his old social media posts. In his letter, Chapman thanked his fellow caucus members, particularly Leader John Rustad, for their support, as well as his wife, children and grandchildren. The post garnered words of encouragement from across the aisle, namely Premier David Eby and Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon. 'Our entire caucus wishes him strength and a full recovery,' the Conservatives wrote.
