PC hopeful skirts questions on values after fellow Labrador candidate axed

PC Leader Ches Crosbie called another Labrador candidate Friday morning to ensure that if he held socially conservative views, he should keep them to himself.

And when CBC contacted Derick Sharron, the Tory candidate in Labrador West, it seems the message came through loud and clear.

"I know it's an issue important to some people but it's important for you to know that as an elected MHA for Labrador West, I will defend the rights of every person," Sharron said in an interview by phone.

"Not only in this constituency but across the island as regards to the Constitution of Canada."

• Crosbie boots candidate with anti-abortion, anti-gay views 24 hours after backing him

Sharron, a Pentecostal pastor who is originally from central Newfoundland, skirted questions about his own values and how he feels about his fellow Labrador candidate, Michael Normore, being turfed from the party.

"I do not have an opinion on that. I'm sorry," Sharron said.

Normore to run as Independent

Earlier in the day, Crosbie announced he no longersupports the Cartwright-L'Anse aux Claircandidate after a social media post the PC candidate made in 2015 was highlighted in a CBC story.

Normorewas open about his anti-abortion and anti-same sex marriage sentiments, and Crosbie had supported him as long as he was working for his district. But the post, which suggests children should have a mother and father, was the last straw.

He will be an Independent MHA, if he wins.

As long as candidates are not advocating against same-sex marriage and abortion, and follow the charter rights, Crosbie said, it's fine.

"If you go into politics you have to observe that these things are a matter of social consensus and you should not be stirring them up," Crosbie said.

"The vetting didn't disclose the particular social media post that I find objectionable."

Crosbie said he does not align with those values himself. And in a later news release, the PCs distanced themselves from the conservative messaging from their former candidate.

"They are opinions that I don't share and the majority of the PC party don't share. But I'm not about to denounce his personal opinion," Crosbie said of Normore's views.

What about the Liberals?

Meanwhile, Crosbie said he called Sharronand "got to know in detail what his outlook is and he pointed out to me that he's beena Pentecostal pastor for 25 years and has been well aware of the issue or, the social issues that are very sensitive."

"He's very aware of the law of the land."

Crosbie then steered the conversation towards the Liberal party, and Exploits incumbent Jerry Dean in particular.

"It's not just a PC issue. People with social conservative views are running for different parties, including the Liberal party."

That sparked a statement from Dean, who said he does, in fact, support same-sex marriage and a woman's right to choose.

"I am pro-choice, I support same-sex marriage, and I affirmed these values through the vetting process involved with my becoming a candidate for the Liberal Party," reads the statement in part.

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