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Vincent Ke: A Controversial Political Comeback?

Author Jonathan Fon

One day, a friend sent me a short excerpt from a message. The message appeared as follows: it was marked with a profile picture of Vincent Ke, with his name as the account holder, followed by a statement: "If I win this election, once the lawsuit is settled, I will return to the Conservative Party." The friend then urged me, "Sir, why don’t you write something about this?"

This statement immediately triggered a memory—Lu Xun’s explanation of why he wrote In Memory of Miss Liu Hezhen. In the opening of that essay, Lu Xun recorded a similar conversation: "Have you written anything for Liu Hezhen?" "No." "Sir, you should write something."

With Ontario’s provincial election entering the critical voting phase, and Vincent Ke running as an independent candidate, I feel compelled to write a few words.

A Politician Shrouded in Controversy

Since Vincent Ke was elected as the Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Don Valley North in 2018, he has consistently made headlines, making him one of the more newsworthy political figures in Ontario. Setting aside the unrefined gossip circulating about him, his political career has been marked by significant controversies.

Reports suggest that during his studies in Germany, Ke was selected by the Chinese State Council as a leader among overseas students and participated in an eight-day training program on United Front propaganda. Additionally, there are allegations that while running an engineering consulting business in Toronto, he falsely used the title "Professional Engineer." This led to an inquiry from the Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), as individuals who are not certified by the association are prohibited from using the title—similar to how non-members of the Law Society of Ontario cannot legally call themselves lawyers. Violations of such regulations can result in legal consequences.

Legal Battles and Political Fallout

In mid-2024, Vincent Ke, along with fellow politician Han Dong, sued Global News in Ontario  Superior Court of Justice, alleging defamation and damage to their political reputations. The lawsuit stemmed from whistleblower reports obtained by Global News, which suggested that Ke and Dong might have acted as foreign political agents. This revelation came at a time when the Canadian Parliament was holding closed-door hearings based on intelligence reports from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). The hearings, which focused on national security concerns, had already captured the nation’s attention. As a media outlet committed to journalistic integrity, Global News exposed these allegations, prompting Ke and Dong to respond with defamation lawsuits, portraying themselves as victims seeking public sympathy.

In the harsh world of politics, Ontario Progressive Conservative Party quickly distanced itself from Ke. To control the damage, the party promptly announced that he was no longer a member of its caucus. Consequently, Ke found himself politically isolated, relegated to a corner of the legislature as an independent MPP, no longer affiliated with the Progressive Conservatives.

The Current Election Battle

As Ontario heads into this provincial election, the Progressive Conservatives have already nominated a new candidate, Shu Liu, to contest the Don Valley North riding. However, Ke is fighting to retain his seat as an independent candidate—an act that directly threatens the Conservative Party’s vote share. Every vote cast for Ke is effectively a lost vote for the party, reducing its electoral advantage.

Ke said in that message as quoted -- "If I win this election, once the lawsuit is settled, I will return to the Conservative Party"—raises serious doubts. The author dares to predict that he will not win. Provincial elections are about choosing a party to govern, not just an individual candidate. In 2018, voters in Don Valley North supported Ke not because of his personal appeal but because he represented the Progressive Conservatives. A political party has the capability to govern an entire province; an independent candidate does not. By running in this election, Ke is not only disrupting the Progressive Conservative campaign in Don Valley North but also potentially undermining the fundamental principles of party-based elections.

Voters are well-informed. They understand that voting for the Progressive Conservative candidate, Shu Liu, aligns with their political beliefs, rather than wasting a vote on an independent candidate who lacks the backing of a governing party. Ke’s bid is unlikely to succeed.  It is merely an act of disruption.

A Return to the Conservatives? Wishful Thinking.

Even if, hypothetically, Ke were to win, would the Conservative Party take him back after he deliberately disrupted its election strategy? That seems highly unlikely.

As for his lawsuit, what outcome can he realistically expect? Defamation cases are expensive. To fund his legal battle, Ke has launched a public fundraising campaign, an initiative that has drawn attention within the community and scrutiny from financial watchdogs. If his campaign finances are not transparently managed, he could face allegations of money laundering. A financial audit could trigger yet another legal battle. Running as an independent candidate is also costly. Does Ke have the financial resources to compete with a well-funded political party? If so, where is that money coming from?

Vincent Ke, tread carefully.

February 21, 2025, Toronto, Ontario