Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of 2SLGBTQIA+ groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.
Johnson was kicked out of caucus last May after her September 2022 comments comparing transgender children in schools to having feces in food became public.
On Wednesday, the board of the Red Deer-South Constituency sent Smith a letter saying that Johnson had sufficiently apologized for her comments and asked for her to be reinstated to the UCP caucus.
"Member Johnson has, in our view, sufficiently made amends for her comments that came to light during a closely fought election last spring. It is our view that the time has come to move past this incident and welcome Member Johnson into caucus."
On Saturday, the premier’s office issued the following statement.
“The Premier’s previous comments on this topic stand and there has been no decision made to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson to Caucus.”
The Lacombe Pride Society, along with HOME, RDQCA and Central Alberta Pride, as well some other queer agencies, said they “have seen no real tangible steps forward to indicate she has moved past these egregious beliefs.”
Letter from Red Deer-South constituency office to Premier Smith
In May 2023, Johnson issued an apology for the comments.
“I apologize for the way I discussed these issues in September of 2022,” she said. “I have nothing but love and compassion for everyone equally and am embarrassed that I have caused hurt in this way.”
Lacombe Pride board member Jonathan Luscombe said in the letter that after Johnson was elected, vandalism and homophobia surged in central Alberta, “from Ponoka United Church’s pride crosswalk being vandalized, to a home of our society’s board member being targeted 12 times with vandalism, theft and threats in the span of one month.”
The letter called for Johnson to lay out tangible steps she will take to rectify the situation, recommending that she take courses from “some of the leading queer organizations in Canada” while also attending local events.
In an interview with CTV News, Luscombe said, “What we need to see is real tangible steps that she has taken or is taking in order to make sure that this doesn't happen again.
“If an elected official can say those things about queer kids, and still be elected by a two-thirds majority in her riding," Luscombe added, "what stops anyone else from using those same things against someone to justify their hateful behavior?”
With files from Tyler Barrow
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.