B.C. Premier, Surrey Mayor vow to be more careful after posing in photo with convicted gunman

B.C. politicians have vowed to be more careful after posing in a group photo with a convicted gunman at a Surrey fundraiser.

B.C. Premier John Horgan, Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner and NDP MLA Jinny Sims posed for a group photo at a fundraiser that was held on Wednesday at the home of longtime NDP supporter Kulwant Dhesi – the CEO of Dhesi Enterprises.

Also in the photo was Radio India owner Maninder Gill, who was convicted last year of aggravated assault and other charges for a 2010 shooting outside a wedding at Surrey’s Guru Nanak temple.

Gill was given a four-year sentence but was released pending an appeal.

Hepner said Dhesi invited her and the only reason why she went to the dinner was to establish a relationship with the province’s new premier.

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“I do know Maninder Gill — it was not my intention to be in a photo with him, group or otherwise,” she said.

Hepner admits the photo comes at a troubling time as Surrey faces gun violence resulting from an ongoing gang conflict.

“My stance against gun violence is well known… Clearly, it was a mistake on my part to be photographed with him and I can assure you it won’t happen again.”

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Horgan said he didn’t know about Gill’s conviction until after the photo became public and said he is “going to be more careful in the future.”

“I abhor what he has done and he has been convicted and he’ll pay the price for that,” he said.

— With files from Catherine Urquhart