Since being re-elected, my family and I have had to deal with constant harassment, threats, and a host of issues that I would not wish upon anyone. I have seen the worst of people, but I have also seen the best of people who have reached out asking how I am doing, how my family is handling the stress, and to show their understanding, forgiveness, and encouragement – and to all of you – thank you.
When I spoke to the media on October 21st, I spoke about the facts on what occurred in 1997, the investigation, and subsequent two other investigations. They concluded that no charges were to be laid. CBC also chose to run a story of an incident from 2008, when I was at my lowest point for political opportunism. Mental health is a serious issue, so having this dark point in my life used against me, and by extension my family being brought into the mud slinging was a low point. This article greatly affected my family, and I am sorry to them for being dragged into this mess.
I have been asked how I will serve the residents of Ward 4; the answer is simple: the same way I have served them since being elected in 2013. It is no secret that I am one of the most accessible Cllrs. I return emails and phone calls personally, instead of a generic response, and I will continue to do so. I will also continue to help residents in other Wards who seek help when their Cllr. does not.
In terms of Council voting to keep me off all Committees, that is their right, but I have the legal ability to attend committees, speak to the issues at hand, and vote. I will choose what committees I will attend and will speak to the issues that affect Ward 4. Just as I have done since 2013. Any elected official who fails in this basic task is not making an informed decision when they vote in Council.
I will continue to serve every Ward 4 community, and I am already working with my colleagues on this year’s agenda, and what we can do to accomplish our similar goals. I will continue to offer to meet with Community Association who wish to ask questions they have on the matter.
In terms of social media, I will continue to use it to share things that are about Ward 4, and the issues of the day. I will however mute, and block users on Twitter who troll and spout defamatory comments; and on Facebook I will ban users who are abusive or troll other commentators.
I look forward to working for all of Ward 4, and indeed for every Calgarian at City Hall, and will continue to work with my new colleagues on the big issues that face our great city.
If you need to reach my office, the email is CLWard4@calgary.ca.
Sean
STATEMENT OF SEAN CHU – OCTOBER 15, 2021
As many of you will have heard, there are serious allegations being made publicly against me based on a CBC news story that was released on Friday. These allegations misrepresent the truth of the matter and come at a time meant to hurt me the most in this campaign.
Most of you have known me for decades, as a counsellor, a father, a volunteer and a community leader. I hope you will come to your own conclusions based on the facts. I would like to share some of those facts with you today.
- The allegations made against me are more than 24 years old and were resolved at the time.
- In 1997 (when I was 34), I met a woman at a licensed establishment where all persons are required to be 18 years of age of older and show identification, confirmed by a witness.
- The complainant appealed the decision to the Law Enforcement Review Board (LERB). LERB and the complaints were again dismissed, a further investigation subsequently confirmed the dismissal. The Court of Appeal denied permission to appeal in 1999.
- During this investigation, I underwent a polygraph test (at my request), which confirmed my account.
- No charges were laid.
- The timing of the release – literally decades after both matters were resolved – is motivated by politics and not by justice.
