Igor Dzaic (Photo via Igor Dzaic for Ward 7 Facebook)Igor Dzaic (Photo via Igor Dzaic for Ward 7 Facebook)
Windsor

Ward 7 candidate issues apology over social media comments

A candidate in Windsor's Ward 7 byelection is apologizing after comments he made on social media resurfaced.

Igor Dzaic is one of 12 candidates vying to fill the vacant seat on city council.

On Friday evening, Dzaic issued a statement apologizing for social media comments he had previously made that were screenshotted and posted on the Twitter account Ward 7 Watch.

Several of the tweets have been construed as being transphobic and homophobic in nature and drew criticism from Windsor residents. In one tweet, Dzaic stated "Imagine thinking that to be a woman all you have to do is say you are and get a few surgeries, even though you're a man."

Igor Dzaic screenshot via Ward 7 Watch TwitterIgor Dzaic screenshot via Ward 7 Watch Twitter

Igor Dzaic screenshot via Ward 7 Watch TwitterIgor Dzaic screenshot via Ward 7 Watch Twitter

Igor Dzaic screenshot via Ward 7 Watch TwitterIgor Dzaic screenshot via Ward 7 Watch Twitter

Igor Dzaic screenshot via Ward 7 Watch TwitterIgor Dzaic screenshot via Ward 7 Watch Twitter

Igor Dzaic screenshot via Ward 7 Watch TwitterIgor Dzaic screenshot via Ward 7 Watch Twitter

On his Facebook page, Dzaic swiftly responded to the comments, acknowledging that the screenshots were authentic and acknowledging that his comments "can be considered highly offensive."

"I made a mistake and I accept that my comments were offensive to members of our City of Windsor community," he said. "Like many of you I made comments or mistakes in my past that can be considered offensive and unnecessary, unlike many of you my comments have now been made public. I accept that I made a mistake and over the years I have taken the time to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community and their important and active role in our community."

https://www.facebook.com/ImForIgor/posts/128425272303602

The by-election will take place on Monday, October 5. Advance voting will take place on September 29 and 30, October 1 and 3. Other Ward 7 candidates include Farah El-Hajj, Michelle Gajewski, Jeewen Gill, Barbara Holland, Ernie Lamont, Greg Lemay, Mike Malott, Angelo Marignani, Therese Papineau, Albert Saba, and Howard Weeks.

The successful candidate will finish out Irek Kusmierczyk’s term, which expires in October 2022. Kusmierczyk who resigned last fall to become the Liberal MP for Windsor-Tecumseh.

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