An Ontario-based payday lender says its CEO resigned “immediately” after calling Black Lives Matter a “terrorist organization” and telling workers that the values ​​of the anti-racist group contradict those of his company.

Pay2Day, a company that offers lucrative loans to cashless Canadians over 30 locations in Ontario and BC, says former CEO Wesley Barker’s comments are “not representative of what Pay2Day and our team are and what they stand for.”

“We sincerely and unreservedly apologize for any hurt or feelings of betrayal that our employees, customers and members of the black community may have,” the company said Press progress in a statement.

“The views expressed by Mr. Barker are his personal views and do not represent the views of Pay2Day.”

This week, a Facebook post that was widely circulated on the Internet showed the former CEO wrote that “Black Lives Matter is a terrorist organization.”

“It may not be a popular opinion,” Barker admitted, “but it is mine and I am not entitled to it.” He added, “Any company or friend of mine who supports it is not supported or patronized by me.”

The Payday Loan CEO reinforced this message with a letter to Pay2Day employees claiming the anti-racist group was working to “stigmatize” and “harass” people “because of their color, job, religion or sexuality.”

“I am, as I am sure many of you are, aware of the riots and protests spread around the world following the senseless assassination of George Floyd in Minneapolis,” wrote Barker. “I think it is necessary to address all of you at Pay2Day and our community.”

The CEO’s Letter to the Workers, later published by 6ixBuzzTV, Conditions:

“As far as Pay2Day is concerned, there is only one condition and that is the human one! We do not judge an entire people by the history of their ancestors, the deeds of their brothers or sisters, friends or other family members, nor do we judge an entire police force by the terrible deeds of one of their members, any more than we should judge an entire industry by one bad enterprise judge.”

It went on:

“We cannot and should not support political groups or organizations like BLM that center, profile, stigmatize or harass other people based on their skin color, profession, religion or sexuality. That is hypocritical and contradicts our culture here at Pay2Day. “

Letter from the CEO (6ixBuzz)

In a statement to Press progress, the new CEO of Pay2Day, Nelson Belchior, emphasized that “our employees had nothing to do with Mr. Barker’s letter”.

“We want to make it clear that we recognize that there is systemic racism and we condemn it in all its forms,” ​​Belchior said, adding, “Pay2Day is taking action, including setting up a diversity committee based on suggestions from our staff.”

“We also asked our employees for further suggestions in order to restore our corporate culture of trust and move forward together.”

Barker’s comments seem Echo of right discussion points and Elections Canada’s donation records suggest the former CEO is politically active – Barker has donated thousands of dollars to the Conservative Party of Canada since 2017.

In the company records, Barker and Belchior are co-directors of. listed District fin, the parent company of Pay2Day, while Belchior is listed as the sole director of Pay2Day.

Barker did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Press progress.