Calgary MLA Deborah Drever to rejoin NDP caucus after exile for controversial social-media posts

Calgary-Bowmember of the legislature Deborah Drever will rejointhe Alberta NDP caucus, the party confirmed today,following a 232-day exile for controversial social media posts that surfaced shortly after the provincial election last May.

Government house leader Brian Mason made the announcement alongside Drever, 27, whose online history came embarrassingly to light when numerous posts, some of them years old, were widely circulated following her surprise election.

"Had social media existed when I was in high school, I probably wouldn't be standing here now," said Mason, a62-year-old political veteran who served as Alberta NDP leader from 2004 to 2014.

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Drever said she was happy to receive a call from Premier Rachel Notleyon Thursday, inviting her back into the government fold.

"I ran as a New Democrat, I was elected in Calgary-Bow as a New Democrat, and I am pleased to be rejoining the NDP caucus today," she told reporters Friday afternoon.

Since being booted from caucus,Drever hadbeen sitting as an Independent in the legislature.

During that time, shesponsored aprivate member's bill thatwould make it easier for domestic violence victims to flee abuse.

The bill receivedunanimous supportin December.

Drever hasn't shied away from social media since the controversy, maintaining an activeFacebook page, something she said she plans to continue.

A small group of protesters gathered outside the press conference and repeated the call from many of the NDP's critics that Drever should resign.

Mason stood by the decision to welcome Drever back, sayingPremier Rachel Notley was satisfied that therookie member had earned her return through the work she has done in herconstituency and in the legislature over the past eight months.

"We're certainly pleased that she has worked so hard on the criteria that I outlined for her when she was asked to leave caucus," Notley said, speaking to reporters in Winnipeg, where she was meeting Friday with Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger.

Among the embarrassing items that led to Drever's initial expulsionwas an Instagramimageof former premierJim Prenticeand interim PC leader RicMcIver with a caption that read"gay boyz" and afive-year-old album cover for a local band in which it appears Dreveris about to be sexually assaulted.

She told CBC Newsthis week she had asked the band to do a reshoot of the albumcover,because she was initially told it would appear she was being saved from an assault, but the band kept it as it was.

"The reason I wanted to run for office is because I am a huge advocate for women's issues, fighting for social justice, and I really just wanted to bring that forth being an MLA for Calgary-Bow," shesaid.

MLA Deborah Drever breaks her silence with Rob Brown

9 years ago

Duration 4:57

Deborah Drever, kicked out of the NDP caucus, on her challenges as an independent MLA