Bob Mackin
Before and after Conservative Party of B.C. leader John Rustad slammed the NDP government for allowing BC Ferries to hire a China state-owned shipbuilder, two of his rookie Richmond MLAs attended events that promote the Chinese government.
Now the caucus has quietly parted ways with two brothers working as aides for Hon Chan (Richmond Centre) and Steve Kooner (Richmond-Queensborough).
Conservative MLAs Steve Kooner (left) and Hon Chan, June 20, 2025 at the PNE. (Mackin)
Rustad’s chief of staff, Brad Zubyk, confirmed July 24 to theBreaker.news that contracts were ended with Tony Tu, a constituency worker for Chan, and William Tu, a community outreach worker for Kooner.
The moves came after a July 21 WeChat article and July 22 YouTube video by Bing Chen (Benson) Gao, who writes and livestreams under the name Huang Hebian. Gao reported that the Tu brothers are sons of a businessman from Shenyang, China named Du Rongsheng, who is also known as Herman Tu and is the subject of fraud allegations.
theBreaker.news sought comment from Kooner, Chan and William Tu. They have yet to respond.
Rustad said July 23 that he was aware of the matter and his staff was reaching out to the MLAs involved, but was unable to comment further due to it being a human resources issue.
The next morning, Zubyk said that a discussion took place with Chan, Kooner and the brothers to terminate their contracts.
“It was explained to them it may become a distraction so it would probably be best this way,” Zubyk said. “It’s my understanding the conversations went well.”
William (left) and Tony Tu. (WeChat)
Zubyk said the brothers had been in Canada for more than a decade and the decision had nothing to do with their work.
“I see no evidence that they themselves are involved in any [improper] activity,” he said.
An Instagram account said William Tu founded the Canadian Star Charitable Foundation when he was 16, went on to study at Simon Fraser University, obtain a pilot’s licence and participate in political activities.
Chan and Kooner both attended the Chinese consulate’s May 31 event marking 30 years of B.C.’s sister province relationship with Guangdong. Chan also sat at the VIP table with Consul-Gen. Yang Shu at a banquet marking 55 years of Canada-China diplomatic relations.
Kooner attended a news conference to promote the July 27 Water-Splashing Festival at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby. The organizer, Canadian Community Service Association, is one of the top three local organizations aligned with the consulate.
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