Former Liberal MP Paul Chiang is attempting a political comeback in Markham, where he is running against the same pro-democracy activist who was the target of Chiang’s comments — the same ones that ultimately ended his federal campaign.
Chiang and Joe Tay are both candidates for one of Markham’s four regional councillor seats in the Oct. 26 municipal election.
Chiang represented Markham–Unionville as a Liberal MP from 2021 until Parliament was dissolved in 2025. During the subsequent federal campaign, reports surfaced that Chiang had suggested someone could take Tay to the Chinese Consulate General in Toronto and collect a HK$1-million bounty.
Tay is a Canadian citizen and outspoken critic of the Chinese Communist Party.
Hong Kong police issued an arrest warrant for Tay in December 2024 under the territory’s national security law. Authorities also offered a HK$1-million reward for information leading to his arrest.
The Canadian government condemned the bounty as an attempt at transnational repression.
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Besides the $82 million for ocean monitoring, it was revealed this week that
Chiang made the remarks during a Chinese-language media event in January 2025, when Tay was seeking the Conservative nomination in Markham–Unionville. The comments became widely known after the federal election campaign began.
Chiang later apologized and described his remarks as “deplorable.” He stepped aside as the Liberal candidate on March 31, 2025, after the RCMP confirmed it was examining the matter following a complaint. The outcome of that examination remains unclear.
Tay has said the remarks placed him and his family in danger. His wife, Angie Tay, told Juno News that the consequences continue to affect them.
“Shortly after his comment went public, the RCMP showed up at our door to inform us they had intercepted a credible threat against Joe’s life,” she said.
“To this day, whenever we run into him at events, I cannot stop thinking about the trauma he brought into our lives.”
Chiang’s current campaign material highlights his 28-year policing career and former service as an MP. It does not mention the controversy that ended his 2025 campaign.
Chiang did not respond to Juno News’ request for comment.
Markham voters will now decide whether to return Chiang to public office or elect Tay to the same regional council seat.
