Premier says apology punishment enough after Alberta MLA's comments
Last Updated: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 | 4:27 PM MT
CBC News
Related
Video
- Carolyn Dunn reports: 'Men are attracted to smiles,' Alberta MLA advised girls on blog (Runs: 2:22)
- Play: Real Media »
- Play: QuickTime »
Edmonton-Calder Conservative MLA Doug Elniski is vowing to be more careful about what he posts on his blog.
The politician apologized late Monday afternoon for controversial comments he posted on his blog and insisted that he is not sexist.
"I can't defend or justify this action in any way at all," Elniski said.
On Tuesday, the rookie MLA was called to a meeting with Premier Ed Stelmach about the situation.
"These are all distractions they're totally inappropriate, they don't reflect my values, they don't reflect the values of our government, they don't reflect the values of the caucus nor of the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party," Stelmach said Tuesday.
The apology given by Elniski is enough punishment and the MLA will not be removed from any of his committee assignments, the premier said.
A guide will be distributed to all Conservative MLAs outlining what is appropriate to write on social networking sites, according to Ron Glenn, the premier's chief of staff.
In his blog, Elniski offered advice to junior high school girls. He suggested that a girl wear a smile when entering a room, and that men don't want to hear about that "treated equal" stuff.
Elniski's blog was taken down on Monday afternoon. He will now have his postings reviewed before he re-starts the blog, Elniski said.
Share Tools
Latest Calgary News Headlines
- Most Alberta voters plan to cast a ballot, poll shows
- Three quarters of Albertans plan to vote in the spring election and six in ten say it will come down to the issues, according to a new poll done for CBC News. more »
- Peace Bridge to open March 24, says city
- The long-delayed Peace Bridge over the Bow River west of downtown will open on March 24, the city announced on Tuesday. more »
- Oil industry communication could improve, poll suggests

- While a large majority of Albertans rate the oil and gas industry highly when it comes to creating jobs, one third think they could do a better job communicating with the public, according to a poll done for CBC News. more »
- Flames pounce on Leafs' mistakes
- Miikka Kiprusoff made 41 saves and Paul Byron scored on a second period penalty shot to lead the Calgary Flames over the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-1 on Tuesday. more »
Top News Headlines
- Immigrants the proudest Canadians, poll suggests

- Most Canadians feel immigrants are just as likely to be good Canadian citizens as people who were born here and don't object to them keeping their original citizenship, according to a recent Environics survey. more »
- NDP MPs urged to scrap gun registry in final vote
- Public Safety Minister Vic Toews urges opposition MPs to break party ranks and side with the government during tonight's vote on scrapping the long-gun registry. more »
- Honduras prison fire kills hundreds
- Trapped inmates screamed from their cells as a fire swept through a Honduran prison, killing at least 300 inmates in one of the world's deadliest fires in decades, authorities said Wednesday. more »
- Ocean Ranger sinking still haunts 30 years later
- The violent storm that sank the Ocean Ranger, killing 84 men, still haunts people 30 years after the disaster on the Grand Banks east of Newfoundland. more »
- Truck, rifle found in connection to Killam RCMP shootings
- Peace Bridge to open March 24, says city
- Young dog found with missing leg recovering
- Cory Bitternose dangerous offender hearing continues
- Online surveillance bill goes too far: Calgary professor
- Heart-shaped cucumbers a hit for Alberta grower
- Man pleads guilty to murder of stepdaughter, 17
- Oil industry communication could improve, poll suggests
- Alberta's proposed Education Act targets schoolyard bullies

