Derek Fildebrandt, the MLA for Strathmore-Brooks and the Wildrose shadow minister of finance, has been suspended by the party in connection with a social media comment deemed unacceptable.
Wildrose leader Brian Jean announced the suspension on Friday evening.
“Mr. Fildebrandt made an unacceptable comment on social media that does not represent the values of the Wildrose Caucus,” said Jean in the statement. “He has been suspended from our Caucus effective immediately.”
The suspension stems from a comment placed on Derek Fildebrandt’s Facebook page, in which, a Strathmore-Brooks constituent applauded the MLA’s actions during Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne’s visit to the Legislature on Thursday. The constituent referred to the NDP as ‘No Damn Profit idiots’ and Ontario’s premier as ‘Mr Wynne or whatever the hell she identifies as’.
Fildebrandt responded to post with ‘Proud to have constituents like you!’.
On Friday evening, Fildebrandt took to Twitter to offer an explanation for his actions.
After re-reading original comment posted on my page, I entirely misread it. 100% against my views. #ableg #abpoli pic.twitter.com/lH81kGHL2I
— Derek Fildebrandt (@Dfildebrandt) May 28, 2016
The Wildrose party has not disclosed the length of Fildebrandt’s suspension or whether the MLA’s tenure with the party is in jeopardy.
