‘One of the most inclusive people’: Andrew Scheer defends Kenney, UCP over controversial comments

CALGARY (660 NEWS) In an exclusive interview with 660 NEWS, Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer threw his support behind UCP leader Jason Kenney avowing that the attacks against him and his party are baseless.

READ MORE: Another UCP candidate resigns

“They are the typical smears every time the Liberals or the NDP lose the debate on ideas, they go to these baseless personal attacks,” Scheer said. He also took aim at Notley’s record of supporting the energy industry, accusing her of being closely aligned with Trudeau.

“It’s quite clear that they do believe many of the same things, and only since Jason Kenney became the leader of the UCP has Rachel Notely started to change her tune,” he insisted. “I think that it’s quite clear that Rachel Notley has become a recent convert to the energy sector. She’s only saying things now that she should have been saying years ago.”

Earlier this month, audio surfaced of Drayton Valley candidate Mark Smith talking to congregates at the Calvary Baptist Church in 2013, seemingly comparing homosexuality to paedophilia and also criticizing abortion. Kenney has continued to stand by Smith. Other candidates dropped out of the race after insensitive comments focusing on race on and immigration came to light.

READ MORE: New UCP candidate under fire

With the recent negative attention UCP candidates have been receiving for insensitive comments, Scheer disputed the notion that UCP had become a party of intolerance.

“He has done more to bring new people into the Conservative movement both at the federal and provincial level than anyone else I know,” he stated. “He is one of the most inclusive people you will ever meet.”

Scheer, who will be front and center at a UCP rally Thursday night in Calgary, touted Kenney as a great premier who will promote equality, tolerance and the fundamental human rights of everyone in the province of Alberta.

His message to Albertans as election day nears: “This coming Tuesday, the people of Alberta have an opportunity to take care of half of that problem [Notley] by electing Jason Kenney and the UCP. My message is that the federal conservatives will take care of the rest come October.”

With files from Megan McPhaden.

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