Horwath accepts apology from NDP Kenora-Rainy River candidate for controversial Facebook posts

NDPLeader Andrea Horwath says she has accepted the apology of her party'sKenora-Rainy River candidate after his 2015 Facebook posts criticizing the Liberalsresurfaced.

The Liberals issued a press release Friday condemning two ofGlen Archer's2015 Facebook posts, including one that saidthe premier "should be in prison"asshe was"blowing taxpayer's money."

"He realizes that it was inappropriate, and he has fully apologized for that statement," Horwath told CBC News. "I've accepted that apology because it's clear that kind of language and those kinds of attitudes are not what we need in Ontario politics."

Archer apologized Fridayforthe language he used in one of his controversial 2015 Facebook posts, adding that he removed it "some time ago."

"After years of Liberals ignoring northwestOntarians, my frustrations spilled over and I should have used more appropriate words," he said.

Criticism for Facebook post

Archer, a corrections officer, has also faced criticism for aFacebook page that listedhis favourite quote as"If I wanted your opinion, I'd beat it out of you!"

Horwath told CBC News she was unaware of the post but saidit is clear that violence is something the party doesn't condone.

"That's not the way we solve problems," she said. "I don't know if Mr. Archer has acted on those kinds of comments that he's alleged to have made, but it's certainly something that I don't agree with."

When asked by CBC News about the quote, Archer said it was "corrections humour" and that he was unaware that the quote was still online.

"It was addressed to my peersand very tongue-in-cheek, and it was a quote that I heard in a movie that I thought was quite funny," he said. "It inno way, shape or form is reflective on our party or our principles."

Archer added that he has since removed the page and "apologized unequivocally."

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The Liberals' release Friday also criticized Horwath's "silence" on the controversy surrounding Hamilton NDP candidates Paul Miller and Monique Taylor followingemployee complaints of bullying, abuse of power and racism.

The NDPleader said in April she washolding off on deciding if there's a culture problem in Hamilton MPP offices in the wake of the allegations.