Wildrose candidate's anti-gay blog blasted by PCs
The Canadian Press
Posted: Apr 15, 2012 4:00 PM MT
Last Updated: Apr 16, 2012 5:45 AM MT
Alberta Progressive Conservative Leader Alison Redford is blasting the rival Wildrose Party over an anti-gay blog posting by one of its candidates.
On his pastor's blog in June of last year, Allan Hunsperger and his wife warned against accepting gays and lesbians for who they are.
They wrote if they don't change they will "suffer the rest of eternity in the lake of fire" — a reference to hell.
The blog has since been taken down from the pastor's website.
Redford told reporters in Calgary Sunday that it blows her mind that a candidate running for office in this day and age could hold those kind of views.
She says that is the kind of social issue Albertans need to worry about if the Wildrose party wins the April 23 election.
Wildrose leader Danielle Smith says Hunsperger's views are from nearly a year ago and in keeping with his religious beliefs.
She says her party has made it clear that there will be no legislation enacted involving moral issues.
Hunsperger released a statement Sunday saying he supports Smith's promise that a Wildrose government would not legislate on contentious social issues.
"The views I expressed in this blog posting are my own personal religious views and were given in the capacity as a church pastor," he said.
"I fully support equality for all people, and condemn any intolerance based on sexual orientation or any other personal characteristic."
Hunsperger is running in the riding of Edmonton-South West.
With files from CBC NewsShare Tools
Alberta Election Results
Updated: Apr. 25, 2012, 10:45 AM MDT
| Party | Elected | Leading | Total | Vote Share (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC | 61 | 0 | 61 | 43.95 |
| WRP | 17 | 0 | 17 | 34.49 |
| LIB | 5 | 0 | 5 | 9.72 |
| NDP | 4 | 0 | 4 | 9.76 |
| AP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.35 |
All results are unofficial until final ballot counts are verified by Elections Alberta. CBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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Alison Redford
Progressive Conservatives
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Raj Sherman
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Danielle Smith
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Alberta Party
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