Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley said United Conservative Party MLA Jason Stephan (Red Deer-South) should be kicked out of caucus for going to the One Million March for Children. .“Shouldn’t be anywhere near the caucus,” said Notley at a Thursday press conference. .“Long since should have been kicked out.” .Stephan said at the One Million March for Children in Red Deer on Wednesday, governments and school boards are making gross mistakes with blanket rules based on rare exceptions, especially when it means keeping secrets from parents..“It’s a very serious manner for government to interpose themselves between families and children,” said Stephan. .“Parents have a sacred, moral duty to their children that pre-exists government.”.Notley said Stephan’s removal should “have been the first thing the premier said this morning.” .To all of the sexual minorities in Alberta, she said they are loved, respected and their human rights are as important as everyone else’s. She added there are many people who will fight hard to ensure that never changes. .When she watched a video from a child at one of the rallies making hateful comments, she said it broke her heart. While children are not born with hate in their heart, a person convinced this child to spew hate. .Alberta Premier Danielle Smith did not condemn these comments. Notley called it “one of the most profound failures in leadership that I’ve ever seen.” .She concluded by saying this hate must be condemned. .“And the fact that the premier is normalizing it by allowing one of her caucus members to participate in this is appalling,” she said. .Smith said on Thursday she is “sympathetic to parents who want to preserve the innocence of their kids for as long as they can.” .READ MORE: WATCH: Smith acknowledges concerns of 1 Million March 4 Children, condemns extremism.“And that’s part of the reason our School Act allows parents to have that choice to have their kids be exposed and taught about religion and sexuality at a pace that is their choice,” said Smith. .“That being said, we also know that some times these protests can get a little heated, and it’s unfortunate if people take their opposition too far and cross the line.”
