Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that Jennifer Johnson has been accepted into the UCP caucus, which she is not allowed to rejoin.
An Alberta MLA who was initially barred from joining the United Conservative Caucus after comparing transgender children to feces has now been granted entry.
In a statement Wednesday afternoon, the United Conservative Caucus said an internal caucus vote had taken place and MEPs “have chosen to welcome Lacombe-Ponoka MP Jennifer Johnson to the United Conservative Caucus.”
She was the UCP candidate for her central Alberta riding during last year’s provincial election but after winning the seat she had to sit as an independent, after a recording in 2022 surfaced in which Johnson is heard comparing transgender students with feces.
“Over the last 17 months, MLA Johnson has done a very good job as a local MLA. After a very thoughtful discussion with our caucus team, our MLAs voted to recognize her hard work, recognize her efforts, and welcome her to the government caucus,” said government chief whip Shane Getson.
The United Conservative Caucus said Johnson addressed her fellow MPs ahead of Wednesday’s vote and highlighted the work she has done in her community and the personal growth and understanding she has gained through her engagement with the LGBTQ community.
Get the latest national news
For news affecting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts sent directly to you as they happen.
The caucus said Johnson met with a number of groups and engaged on important topics.
“I am proud to join the United Conservative Caucus, where I will be able to continue to represent my constituents and help make life better for all Albertans. Over the past 17 months, I have grown personally and professionally. Now, I’m eager to apply what I’ve learned to benefit everyone who calls this state home,” Johnson said.
Last month, a video of a meeting where Johnson met with members of the LGBTQ community surfaced and sparked a backlash from a group that already felt targeted by the MLA.
Victoria Bucholtz, with the group Queer Citizens United, said Johnson has not rebuilt trust or demonstrated understanding.
Bucholtz was one of five people who met with Johnson in hopes of improving the politician’s relationship with LGBTQ Albertans.
“It wasn’t clear that any of his views had changed,” Bucholtz said.
NDP leader Naheed Nenshi called the move to allow Johnson back into caucus “another gut punch to all trans young people, their families and their allies.”
“Allowing Johnson to join the UCP caucus once again proves that the Danielle Smith who ran for premier is not the same Danielle Smith as the premier,” said Nenshi, noting at the time Johnson was removed from the caucus, Smith called the MLA’s. comments “disgusting analogy.”
“There was a lack of genuine remorse in Johnson’s apology and we don’t really know who in the community she met with or whether they accepted that her views had really changed.”
Johnson’s status as a United Conservative MLA takes effect immediately.
& copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
source link https://globalnews.ca/news/10803643/alberta-ucp-caucus-jennifer-johnson/
