Quebec Tory candidate apologizes for trying to draw Nazi-NDP parallel

A Conservative candidate in Quebec has apologized for aFacebook post that tried to draw a parallel between the words of NDP leader Tom Mulcair and comments attributed to Joseph Goebbels, Hitler's propaganda minister.

In a now-deleted post from Aug. 16, Soheil Eid, Tory candidate in theriding of Joliette, wrote in French: "Mentez mentez, il enrestera toujours quelque chose," which translates as, "Lie lie andsomething will always remain."

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In the post, Eid attempted to draw a line between the words ofGoebbels and Mulcair's public statements on theproposed Energy Eastpipeline project, which would pump oilsands crude from Albertathrough Quebec to markets overseas.

Eid claimed the NDP leader tells Albertans he supports theproject while also telling Quebecers he would stop it.

Mulcair has publicly stated several times during the electioncampaign that Energy East could be a boon for Canada, but he won'tmake a decision on the project until after a robust and thoroughenvironmental assessment.

A Conservative spokesman apologized on behalf of Eid, saying hiscomments were "inappropriate," but the party stopped short ofdropping him as a candidate.

Asked about the controversy Tuesday, Mulcair said Eid's commentswere a reflection of a Conservative tone in Quebecbeing fostered byDenis Lebel, Stephen Harper's lieutenant in the province.

Lebel has called Mulcair a "turncoat" and an "impostor" --language the NDP leader described as "demagogic."

"Denis Lebel is directly responsible for this situation,"Mulcair said.

Several candidates, and not only from the Conservatives,have been criticizedfor their social media posts since the campaign began.

Earlier this week,Tory candidateWiliam Moughrabihadto explainsome violent and sexist content he posted on his Facebook account.Calgary Liberal candidate Ala Buzrebaresigned last weekover a string of offensive tweetsshe posted as a teenager.