The Red Deer-South Constituency board is calling on Alberta’s United Conservative government to fully welcome Lacombe-Ponoka MLA Jennifer Johnson back into the fold.
Johnson was expelled from the UCP’s caucus after making offensive remarks in 2022, comparing transgender children in school to feces in cookie dough. UCP party leader Danielle Smith had said at the time that Johnson could not sit with the caucus, if elected.
But in a letter emailed to Premier Smith on Wednesday, the Red Deer-South Constituency board of directors states Johnson has “sufficiently made amends for her comments” since receiving over two-thirds support from voters in her riding in last year’s election.
Board members unanimously decided to plead her case, saying “It is our view that the time has come to move past this incident and welcome member Johnson into caucus.”
The Lacombe-Ponoka MLA is described in the letter as a “well-liked individual,” who made a “genuine apology” to those she offended. The board’s letter states Johnson has reached out to the LGBTQ community and met with those willing to talk to her.
The request to the premier ends on a note of caution: “We fervently urge you and Caucus to consider our request (for) …unity rather than continued discord before it becomes a major issue within our party.”
Red Deer-South MLA Jason Stephan called Johnson “a wonderful lady, a good lady.” He added that he respects the democratic autonomy of the constituency’s board.
Stephan also made it clear that any decision related to Johnson returning to the UCP caucus would be up to the Caucus itself.
Sam Blackett, press secretary for the premier, said on Thursday that Smith’s “previous comments on this topic stand and there has been no decision made to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson to Caucus.”