*** This is the 5th candidate dropped by the Cons. The others are Mark McKenzie (Windsor, ON), Stefan Marquis (Laurier/Sainte Marie, PQ), Lourence Singh (Westminster, BC) and Don Patel (Etobicoke, ON).

Simon Payette will no longer be running for the CPC in the Berthier—Maskinongé riding, a spokesperson for the party confirmed in an email.

“This individual’s conduct is completely inappropriate, and cannot be excused,” states Sam Lilly. “He will not be a candidate.”

In one of several social media posts and comments, Payette accused Provost, an advocate for stricter gun laws, for using the tragedy to “grease the palms of anti-gun extremists.”