Liberals accuse B.C. New Democrat of being infatuated with communist Cuba

THE CANADIAN PRESS

VICTORIA — The British Columbia Liberals are raising the spectre of a communist red scare — complete with language reminiscent of the Cold War — by accusing a New Democrat MLA of being infatuated with communism.

A Liberal government news release accuses Jagrup Brar of expressing over-the-top admiration for communist Cuba, saying Brar may well be giving a glimpse into the secret desires of the province’s NDP caucus.

Brar spent a week vacationing in Cuba and later said in a Radio India interview last week that the gap between rich and poor is virtually non-existent in Cuba, education is free and no child goes to bed hungry.

Liberal MLA Bill Bennett says Brar’s interview should be a wake-up call for any British Columbian who values individual enterprise and individual freedom.

Bennett says while Cubans risk their lives to escape the country in tiny boats, Brar suggests British Columbia copy Cuba’s state-run approach.

NDP caucus chairman Shane Simpson scoffed at the claims and says the Liberals should concentrate on B.C. issues rather than attack an Opposition member’s holiday reports.

15:24ET 27-08-12