Hon Chan is scheduled to appear in Richmond provincial court on April 22.Supplied
Hon Chan, the Conservative MLA for Richmond Centre, has been removed from caucus, effective immediately, after being charged with assault.
Trevor Halford, interim leader of the Conservative Party of B.C., said Mr. Chan informed him Wednesday of serious criminal charges against him, of which the party had no prior knowledge.
“Our caucus wishes to be clear, any allegations of domestic violence are taken seriously,” Mr. Halford said in a statement issued Thursday. “Anyone who experiences it deserves to know that people in positions of public trust will be held to the highest standard of accountability.”
The BC Prosecution Service said Thursday that Mr. Chan was charged Wednesday with assault, assault by choking and uttering threats. The offences are alleged to have occurred on Jan. 12, 2024, in Richmond. The allegations have not been tested in court.
Reached for comment, Mr. Chan said he was “made aware of a claim relating to an allegation” from about two-and-a-half years ago.
“He disagrees with the allegation and looks forward to defending himself through the legal process,” said a statement sent via text message from his phone number.
“He will continue to cooperate fully with the police and the court process.”
He is scheduled to appear in Richmond provincial court on April 22.
Andi MacKay, a senior Vancouver lawyer in private practice, was appointed June 27, 2025, as a special prosecutor into the investigation.
Such appointments are intended to avoid any potential for real or perceived improper influence in the administration of justice considering the nature of the allegations and the identity of the accused as an elected official, the prosecution service said in a statement.