Third Liberal Candidate Dropped Since Election Call: Rod Loyola Out Amid Controversy

By Mindi Soren

The Liberal Party of Canada has parted ways with yet another candidate in the midst of the 2025 federal election campaign, marking the third such exit since the election was called. Rod Loyola, initially slated to run in the Edmonton Gateway riding, was dropped by the party on April 3, 2025, following a firestorm over comments he made in a 2009 video praising Hamas and Hezbollah. The decision, confirmed by the Liberals late yesterday, underscores a turbulent start for Mark Carney’s team as they navigate a contentious campaign landscape.

Loyola, a former Alberta NDP MLA who resigned his provincial seat on March 25, 2025, to join the Liberals, found himself at the center of controversy when old footage resurfaced. In the video, recorded during a 2009 anti-NATO protest, Loyola—then performing as a rapper named Rosouljah with the group People’s Poets—described Hamas and Hezbollah as movements for national liberation rather than terrorist organizations, a stance at odds with Canada’s official designation of both groups. The clip, which went viral during the campaign, drew sharp criticism and put pressure on the Liberal Party to act swiftly.

In response, Loyola was cut from the ticket just days before the nomination deadline. However, he didn’t stay sidelined for long. On April 4, 2025, he announced his intent to run as an independent in the neighbouring Edmonton-Southeast riding, setting up a showdown with Liberal candidate Amarjeet Sohi, a former Edmonton mayor. In a statement, Loyola condemned terrorism, specifically referencing the October 7 Hamas actions, and sought to clarify his position. “I’ve been a long-time advocate for Palestinian human rights, a position the Liberal Party was fully aware of when they approached me,” he said, defending his record while distancing himself from extremism.

The Liberals have remained tight-lipped about the decision, issuing only a brief confirmation of Loyola’s removal without elaborating on the specifics. The party now has until April 7, 2025, to nominate a new candidate for Edmonton Gateway, adding urgency to an already chaotic campaign period.

Loyola’s departure follows two other high-profile exits from the Liberal roster. Paul Chiang, the candidate for Markham—Unionville, withdrew on March 31, 2025, after backlash over comments suggesting a Conservative rival be turned over to Chinese authorities for a bounty. Thomas Keeper, another candidate, also stepped aside earlier in the campaign under less publicized circumstances. Together, these incidents highlight a pattern of stumbles for the Liberals as they attempt to maintain momentum under Carney’s leadership.

For Loyola, the shift to an independent run signals defiance. “I’m not going anywhere,” he told supporters in Edmonton, framing his campaign as a stand for principle over party loyalty. Meanwhile, the Liberal Party must now contend with the optics of losing three candidates in quick succession, a challenge that could test voter confidence as the election nears its climax.

With the campaign in full swing and the current date pegged at April 4, 2025, the fallout from Loyola’s exit—and the broader string of candidate controversies—promises to keep the Liberals on the defensive. Whether this third dropout will prove a mere footnote or a turning point remains to be seen as Canadians head to the polls.

Mindi Soren is a freelance journalist and writer for Veritas Expositae

You can reach her at mindi.soren@veritasexpositae.com