NDP candidate Fitz Vanderpool refutes claim he opposes equal marriage

Kitchener South-Hespeler NDP candidate Fitz Vanderpool says he supports equal marriage, despite appearing to have supported traditional marriage values when running municipally in2006.

The Liberal Partyissued a statementThursday asking where Vanderpool stands when it comes to marriage rights.

It noted in 2006 while running to become a councillor in Kitchener, Vanderpool filled out a survey from the group Defend Traditional Marriage and Family. He also received an endorsement from the group Campaign Life Coalition because of his support of traditional marriage.

Today, Vanderpool provided a statement to CBC News.

"I regret that I was unclear in 2006 about my position on equal marriage rights. I apologize unreservedly. I want to be very clear now: I completely support marriage equality for everyone including same sex couples," the statement said.

The Liberal candidate in the same riding, SurekhaShenoy, told CBC News she thinks Vanderpool is "apologizing when it is convenient."

"Can the voters of KitchenerSouth-Hespeler trust that Fitz won't change his position again?" she asked.

Liberal questions

The Liberal accusations came hours after an article appeared in the Toronto Sun that linked the former professional boxer who was known as The Whip to the Female Oil Wrestling Federation.

A Facebook post for FOWF Entertainment from April 17, 2013 shows Vanderpoolin a gallery of photos atan event at Capers, a bar in downtown Kitchener.

Vanderpool's campaign manager referred questions about that report to the NDP's media relations team. A party spokesperson emailed CBC News the same statement Vanderpool's campaign had already given.

Shenoysaid she's "not looking for dirt" and added voters need to understand "who the real candidate is."

"It's sad that in today's day, we have a candidate who's supporting ... [this kind] of institution that objectifies women," she said.

Vanderpoolwas not available for an interview.