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Hon Chan, B.C. MLA for Richmond Centre, has been charged with assault, assault by choking and uttering threats.
Chan was charged Wednesday and has been released from custody. He is set to make his first court appearance on April 22 in Richmond provincial court, according to the B.C. Prosecution Service.
The case has been designated a “K file,” which indicates it is an alleged case of intimate partner violence or domestic violence.
The victim’s identity is unknown.
The B.C. Prosecution Service says a special prosecutor, Andi MacKay, was appointed on June 27, 2025, in relation to an investigation conducted by the Richmond RCMP. The alleged offences occurred on Jan. 12, 2024, in Richmond.
Removed from caucus
Chan has been removed from the B.C. Conservative Party caucus, party leader Trevor Halford said.
During a news conference at the legislature Thursday, Halford said Chan called him the day before to inform him of the charges.
“These [charges] are incredibly serious. They’re very troubling, they’re very disturbing,” Halford said.
A B.C. MLA has been charged with several violent offences. The charges against Hon Chan date back to before he was elected. As CBC’s Katie DeRosa reports, he’s now been kicked out of the B.C. Conservative Party caucus.
He said the party took action to remove Chan immediately upon becoming aware of the charges, and that he’s “very confident” nobody involved in the party or caucus knew about the investigation before Wednesday.
“Our caucus wishes to be clear, any allegations of domestic violence are taken seriously,” Halford said, adding that “people in positions of public trust will be held to the highest standard of accountability.”
Chan ‘disagrees with the allegation,’ says office
CBC News has not been able to reach Chan directly for comment.
Someone from his constituency office sent a statement saying: “MLA Chan was made aware of a claim relating to an allegation from approximately two and a half years ago. He disagrees with the allegation and looks forward to defending himself through the legal process. He will continue to cooperate fully with the police and the court process.”
They said because the matter is before the courts, no further comment will be made.
The statement was signed “MLA Hon Chan Office.”
The B.C. Prosecution Service said it decided to appoint a special prosecutor for the case to avoid any real or perceived conflict of interest, given that Chan is an elected public official.
Chan became a B.C. Conservative candidate in August 2024. He was elected as an MLA in October of that year, with over half the votes, beating NDP incumbent Henry Yao.
Chan was the party’s critic for climate solutions and climate readiness. He is a former journalist with Fairchild Television.
Grace Lore, NDP MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill, said in a statement that removing Chan from caucus doesn’t go far enough.
She said the Conservatives should call on Chan to resign immediately, saying his failure to disclose the criminal investigation “is a fundamental violation of trust with his constituents and all British Columbians.”
“It is inappropriate for someone facing criminal charges for violent crimes to continue serving as an MLA,” she said.
Asked if he thinks Chan should resign, Halford said, “He’s going to have to make that decision himself.”
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