Torry Tanner has announced her resignation as the UCP candidate for Lethbridge-West in the upcoming provincial election, March 30, 2023. (Photo: Torry Tanner)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge-West UCP candidate announces resignation

Mar 30, 2023 | 11:28 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Torry Tanner is stepping down as the United Conservative Party’s candidate in Lethbridge-West.

She was confirmed to be the party’s candidate in the spring 2023 provincial election earlier this month.

Tanner said in a statement that, “During the nomination process, I made a video that, at its core, spoke to my commitment to protecting children. However, it’s clear that my choice of words have distracted not only from the issue I was trying to discuss, but are being used by my political opponents to hurt our chances of winning across the province.”

“Accordingly, I have resigned as the candidate for Lethbridge West,” Tanner adds.

In the video, which has since been deleted from Tanner’s social media pages, stated that, “Alarmingly, we are seeing increasing instances where kids, even those attending kindergarten, are being exposed to pornographic materials, or worse yet, having teachers help them change their gender identity with absolutely no parental consent or knowledge whatsoever. This needs to be stopped immediately.”

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Tanner urged parents to get involved with local school boards and parent councils in order to protect children from “this kind of outrageously inappropriate behaviour.”

Gwendoline Dirk, NDP candidate for Brooks-Medicine Hat provided CHAT News with a comment on Tanner’s video.

“It is very obvious that Torry Tanner comments were inappropriate and they were hurtful. They do not represent the views of Albertans. We are a respectful and inclusive society and it is just another example of the UCP gathering extreme candidates into their fold,” says Dirk.

Alberta Teachers’ Association President Jason Schilling said in a tweet that he trusts and respects the professionalism and dedication of teachers.

“Instead of focusing on reality based educational issues such as funding, curriculum. Mental health, and the complex needs of our students, we get this–untrue statements that I do not believe for one second,” said Schilling. “Integrity matters and these types of comments are why so many teachers mistrust our current government when it comes to education.”

Prior to the announcement of Tanner’s resignation, Lethbridge-West MLA Shannon Phillips, representing the Alberta NDP, said in a tweet that, “The baseless claims made the UCP candidate for Lethbridge West do not represent the Lethbridge that we know and love. We are inclusive and respectful, and Ms. Tanner should take the time to learn more about the community she is hoping to represent.”

Phillips added, “These comments are more evidence that Danielle Smith and her team are extreme. They’re unpredictable & focused on the wrong things — namely, today, perpetuating harmful lies that hurt 2SLGBTQ+ people and all Albertans, and making baseless allegations against Alberta teachers.”

Premier Danielle Smith, who also serves as the party leader of the UCP, said he has accepted the resignation of their candidate in Lethbridge West.

Smith said she will be working with the local constituency and the party to appoint a replacement candidate in the near future.

The provincial election is set to be held on May 29, 2023.

Lethbridge News Now has reached out to Tanner for additional comments.

-with files from Brendan Miller