Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said people need to think before voting for Alberta NDP candidate Rod Loyola (Edmonton-Ellerslie) after it was uncovered he marched with the Communist Party of Canada. .“I mean if he’s going to march in a communist parade, he has to argue to his constituents why they should elect him,” said Smith at a Thursday press conference. .“I personally don’t think people want communism in this country.” .Alberta United Conservative Party candidate Ranjit Bath (Edmonton-Ellerslie) pointed out on Tuesday Loyola walked with the Communist Party of Canada Edmonton Club during a parade. .READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Alberta NDP candidate marched in Communist Party delegation.“I've spoken to thousands of residents here in Edmonton-Ellerslie since I became the candidate, and it’s disturbing, but not surprising to see the Alberta NDP participating in a pro-communism march,” said Bath. .Loyola can be spotted at the front of the delegation, wearing a black hat, jacket, and track pants. His face is looking forward as he marches. .Smith said people want freedom, individualism, the ability to support their families, good jobs, free enterprise, and freedom of religion. Those are the values which she stands for. .She concluded by saying she has always stood for these values. .“People can mischaracterize me all they want, but Mr. Loyola’s actions kind of speak for themselves, and he’ll have to answer to his constituents on that," she said. .Alberta UCP candidate Rebecca Schulz (Calgary-Shaw) called on NDP leader Rachel Notley to remove candidates such as Loyola for not supporting police on April 5. .READ MORE: WATCH: Schulz requests Notley drop NDP candidates over anti-police comments, actions.“I think first of all that we need to hear from these candidates what they meant by their comments,” said Schulz. .Loyola said in a since-deleted tweet working for the Edmonton Police Service “gives you the right to beat up citizens and not have to face criminal charges.”. Rod LoyolaHe said in a since-deleted tweet having an Edmonton Police Service badge “gives you the right to beat up citizens and not have to face criminal charges.”
