Wildrose party backtracks on statement affirming equal rights for all

Alberta's Wildrose party members havebacktracked on a definitive statement on equal rights for all -- oneyear after they passed it overwhelmingly to remove the stain ofbeing anti-gay bigots.

Party members voted 148-109 against adopting as policy astatement approved last year that affirmed the rights for everyoneregardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, and otherdifferences.

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Instead, the party voted to go with the current policydefinition, which broadly promises to "recognize that Albertans have equal rights, privileges and responsibilities."

The expanded definition had been held up by the party for a yearas the shining example of a new moderate centrism palatable toAlbertans across the political spectrum.

On Friday, Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith, in her keynote speech,even hailed the motion as a triumph and a symbol of a mature partyready for power.

"We needed a definitive statement to protect the equality of allAlbertans, including our friends in the LGBTQ community. So wedrafted and we passed one," she said in the speech.

On Saturday, Smith said she was out of the room when the rollbackvote was taken, and would've voted for the expanded definition.

She said the defeat doesn't change anything."The nature of the debate was (the members) were concerned thattheremight be something excluded in that long list," said Smith.

"I think that was a reasonable position to take. I certainlydon't think anyone should take offence.

"In the last year we have demonstrated how much we supportmembers of all communities, in particular our LGBTQ community."

She said she has noted her party has donated money and time tosupport events and causes in the gay community.

"I think our actions speak very loudly about our support," shesaid.

'Giant step backward'

Kris Wells, with the Institute for Sexual Minority Studies forthe University of Alberta, said the Wildrose party has taken a giantstep backward.

Wells said refusing to identify to minority groups denies themcritical visibility and recognition that they are deserving of equaltreatment.

"Obviously the Wildrose has not learned the lesson of the recentbyelection (losses)," said Wells.

"They remain out of step with the majority of Albertans. Theyhad a chance to show they had changed and had recognized thevulnerability of minorities, and they failed."

The right-centre Wildrose party has historically struggled withthe perception it is bigoted and extremist.

In the 2012 election, the party was on the road to winninggovernment when it was derailed by controversies including commentsby one of its candidates, Allan Hunsperger.

Hunsperger, in a blog, urged gays to repent or face an eternity in hell's "lake of fire." The storm of controversy grew when Smithrefused to remove Hunsperger as a candidate.

She also refused to remove a second candidate for remarks deemedracist.

The 2012 defeat prompted party soul-searching that culminated inan emotional vote in October 2013 at the annual general meeting,also in Red Deer.

Wildrose house leader Rob Anderson, in a emotional speech at the time, told delegates it was time to adopt the expanded definitionand wipe away a deceitful smear of intolerance.

"We believe, in this party, in the equality of all Albertans,"Anderson said at the time.

"We need to be loud and proud and put this to bed once and for all.

"Let's pass this and send those PC fearmongers scurrying back under the rocks from where they came from!"

Seconds later, the 500 delegates in the room voted by a large margin to endorse the resolution.

AGM wrapped up Saturday

Saturday's vote wrapped up a two-day convention that saw the party discuss and suggest ways to move on from four recentbyelection defeats to Premier Jim Prentice and the PCs.

Earlier Saturday, party members told Smith in a bearpit session that the Wildrose should not have run negative ads against Prenticein the byelections when the electorate at the doors was looking for positive solutions.

In Friday's speech, Smith blamed the media for slanting or ignoring positive Wildrose announcements to foster the narrative of a negative and angry party.

Smith said her team will now work outside the media to create abuzz for the Wildrose through community events, potlucks, andone-on-one ambassadors.

She said they will also ramp up their social media presence with a hundred Wildrose bloggers.