UCP candidate, slammed for comments on pornography in schools, quits
A candidate for the United Conservative Party in southern Alberta has resigned after claiming in a video that children are being exposed to pornography in schools.
Torry Tanner, who was running in Lethbridge West, made the comments in a 50-second video posted online.
“We, as parents, are in a unique position to protect the innocence of our children yet alarmingly we are seeing increasing instances where kids, even those attending kindergarten, are being exposed to pornographic materials or, worse yet, having teachers help them change their gender identity with absolutely no parental consent or knowledge whatsoever,” Tanner said in the video.
“This needs to be stopped immediately.”
She urged parents to get involved on school boards and on parent councils to keep their children safe.
“As an educator and mother myself, this concerns me greatly because, when it comes down to protecting youth, silence just isn't an option anymore,” she said.
“So, I am asking that you stand with me to take action in protecting our children.”
The video has been slammed by the Opposition NDP and the Alberta Teachers Association as misinformation.
“We have a vetted UCP candidate by the party making comments that were not true, comments that were used to create fear for political gain,” said Jason Schilling, president of the Alberta Teachers Association.
“I am from Lethbridge, I am from that riding actually. I know that the people who are working in our schools, the teachers, are not doing what she indicated that they were.”
Two local school divisions issued statements in support of their teachers.
“Holy Spirit Catholic School Division fully supports the amazing work that our educators do to ensure that our schools are safe and welcoming places for all students and their families,” the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division’s statement read.
“Our staff work tirelessly and collaboratively with home and parish to ensure that the Catholic worldview is presented in a sensitive and pastoral way that respects diversity and protects the dignity of each individual student; who is a unique and precious gift from God, entitled to love and acceptance.”
“Lethbridge School Division unequivocally supports our schools and the professionalism of our teaching staff,” the Lethbridge School Division’s statement read.
“The division is grateful for the hard work our teachers do, along with everyone throughout the education system, to ensure our students are cared for and engaged in quality learning experiences on a daily basis.
“As always, the division, and our dedicated staff members, are committed to ensuring students are instilled with the values of learning, inclusion, respect, well-being and leadership.”
Allison Purcell, Lethbridge School Division board of trustees chair, likewise spoke in support of teachers.
“Our educators work tirelessly to ensure our students grow as learners and achieve their educational goals,” Purcell said.
“Supporting learning and attending to student well-being are at the core of what our staff members do each and every day.”
Tanner said in a statement released by the party Thursday that she made the video during the nomination process and that it spoke to her commitment to protecting children.
“It's clear that my choice of words have distracted not only from the issue I was trying to discuss, but are being used by my political opponents to hurt our chances of winning across the province,” she said.
The provincial election is expected to be held at the end of May.
Premier Danielle Smith said in the statement that she has accepted Tanner's resignation.
“I will be working with the local constituency and the party to appoint a replacement in the near future,” she said.
Trevor Harrison, professor of sociology and political scientist at the University of Lethbridge, said the ramifications of Tanner’s comments could stretch far.
“That could have a wider effect than just this particular riding for sure. So, we'll see the effect that it has,” Harrison said.
(With clips from CTV Lethbridge’s Quinn Keenan)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies found by U.S. authorities searching for missing B.C. kayakers
United States authorities who have been searching for a pair of missing kayakers from British Columbia since the weekend have recovered two bodies in the nearby San Juan Islands of Washington state.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Saskatchewan households will continue to receive carbon tax rebate: Trudeau
Households in Saskatchewan will continue to receive Canada Carbon Rebate payments, despite the province refusing to remit natural gas levies to the federal government, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday.
'It's just so hard to let it go': Umar Zameer filled with relief and grief following acquittal in death of Toronto police officer
'We hoped for this day, but we were scared that it would not never ever come because it took so long.' That’s what Umar Zameer, the man recently acquitted in the death of a Toronto police officer, told CTV News Toronto in a sit-down interview on Tuesday.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
North Bay doctor accused of assaulting patient, threatening another
A North Bay doctor is facing charges after allegedly assaulting a patient with a weapon and threatening another person at the hospital, police say.