Former NDP MLA Rod Loyola in the Alberta Legislature Courtesy Legislative Assembly of Alberta
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Alberta Communist punted by Liberals to run as independent in Edmonton

'I acknowledge the video from 2009 has caused concern, and I regret any distress it has brought to my community'

James Snell

Former Alberta NDP MLA Rod Loyola will run as an independent in the upcoming federal election after being dropped as the Liberal candidate for Edmonton Gateway.

Loyola’s candidacy was terminated by the Liberal Party this week following the resurfacing of a 2009 video in which he praised Hamas and Hezbollah, groups designated as terrorist organizations by Canada.

He has also marched with members of the Communist Party of Canada.

As a younger rapper under the stage name “Rosouljah,” Loyola performed lyrics glorifying communist revolutionaries like Che Guevara and Fidel Castro. Lines such as “climbing mountains like Guevara, attacking like Fidel at the Moncada” and “Sign up and become a revolutionary, carry the message on to the masses” suggest a romanticized view of violent communist revolution.

The Liberals’ decision came after Loyola was acclaimed as their nominee on March 31.

“I plan to run as an independent in Edmonton-Southeast, the riding I originally wanted to run in,” Loyola told CBC News on Friday. He confirmed his intent to challenge Liberal candidate Amarjeet Sohi in the riding for the April 28 vote.

In a statement issued Friday, Loyola said, “I acknowledge the video from 2009 has caused concern, and I regret any distress it has brought to my community.”

He added that his views have evolved, but the Liberals deemed the footage incompatible with their values.

The move marks a shift for Loyola, who has represented Edmonton-Ellerslie provincially since 2015.

He had sought to replace Sohi in the federal race after Sohi initially declined to run again.

“I’m disappointed by the party’s decision, but I’m committed to serving Edmontonians,” Loyola said in his statement.

The Liberals have not yet named a replacement for Loyola in Edmonton Gateway.