Social media has reacted with disgust over comments made by NDP MLA Marlin Schmidt mocking the death of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
“I can still go on to enjoy the fact that Margaret Thatcher is dead. The only thing I regret about Margaret Thatcher’s death is that it happened probably 30 years too late,” said Schmidt, MLA for Edmonton-Gold Bar, in the Legislature Wednesday afternoon.
Schmidt served as Minister of Advanced Education in the Rachel Notley government.
He was forced to apologize by the Speaker.
Reaction around the country has been fast and furious.
“Taking joy in the death of a former Prime Minister of one of Canada’s best friends and allies is unbecoming of a member of a legislature in this country,” Tory leadership candidate Peter MacKay tweeted.
Sen. Denise Batters proudly tweeted a Thatcher figurine she keeps on her desk.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, in a tweet, said: “Margaret Thatcher was one of the greatest leaders of the last century. Regardless of one’s politics, it‘s vile to celebrate her death, as the NDP did today.”
Thatcher is known around the world as a conservative icon.
Thatcher served as British PM from 1979 to 1990. She was the first woman to hold the position.
Margaret Thatcher
A Soviet journalist dubbed her the “Iron Lady.”
Thatcher was also credited with crushing the powerful British union movement and being in charge when Britain defeated Argentina in a war over the Falkland Islands.
Thatcher died in 2013, at the age of 87, after suffering a stroke.
Schmidt’s Twitter ID still says he’s the Minister of Advanced Education in Alberta.
A Facebook link to his page is no longer working.
Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard
Dave Naylor is News Editor & Calgary Bureau Chief of the Western Standard based in the Calgary Headquarters.
He served as City Editor of the Calgary Sun & covered Alberta news for nearly 40 years.
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PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
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