Liberal candidate quits election race amid China bounty outrage [Video]

Markham-Unionville Liberal candidate Paul Chiang says he’s stepping aside in the federal election following his comments that a political opponent should be turned over to Chinese officials in return for a bounty, as the RCMP confirmed Monday evening they’re looking into the matter.

Chiang announced his exit late Monday night on social platform X, saying as the prime minister and Team Canada work to stand up to U.S. President Donald Trump and protect the economy, “he doesn’t want there to be distractions.”

The Liberal incumbent made the remarks about Conservative candidate Joe Tay three months ago at a press conference with Chinese-language newspaper Ming Pao.

The Toronto Association for Democracy in China said in a news release that Chiang said everyone at the event could claim a bounty “if you bring (Tay) to Toronto’s Chinese consulate.”

The RCMP said in an email that it’s “looking into the matter, however no specific details can be provided at this …