United Conservative Party (UCP) Leader Danielle Smith is on the hunt for a replacement candidate for the riding of Lethbridge-West. Torry Tanner has stepped down as the candidate for the UCP after a controversial video came to light.
During the nearly one-minute video, Tanner accuses Alberta Teachers of providing elementary and kindergarten-aged students with pornographic material. She also says that teachers are helping students change their gender without parental consent.
Reaction to Tanner’s video has been pouring in from across the province.
“As always, the Division, and our dedicated staff members, are committed to ensuring students are instilled with the values of learning, inclusion, respect, wellbeing and leadership,” writes Garrett Simmons, spokesperson for the Lethbridge School Division.
The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) was quick to condemn the former UCP candidate.
“Tanner’s notice of resignation falls well short,” says Jason Schilling, President of the ATA.
“She faults only her ‘choice of words,’ not the lies she embraced, and regrets only that they might hurt the prospects of the United Conservative Party in the next election.”
Hanna Fridhed, Executive Director of Pride YMM finds the lack of accountability from the UCP shows that Tanner’s comments are tolerated.
“We are saddened to see this kind of rhetoric in our province…We are seeing a concerning rise in demonization of 2SLGBTQIA+ people internationally and provincially,” says Fridhed.
“Our elected officials [are] crucial as they represent 2SLGBTQIA+ Albertans, and these kinds of statements harm the community members they serve.”
UCP Leader Danielle Smith says she will be working with the local constituency and the Party to appoint a replacement candidate for Lethbridge-West soon.
