Eckville cattle rancher Tim Hoven has been disqualified from the challenge to replace House Leader Jason Nixon in Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre..An old, inactive social media account on Gab, that the party alleges is used by white supremacist groups, was cited as the reason for his disqualification, in an email sent from Dustin van Vugt, executive director of the United Conservative Party Thursday morning..The UCP took issue with Hoven writing “great show” in response to one video posted on Gab..This follows weeks of speculation that the UCP would find a reason to disqualify Hoven who posed a serious threat to the riding’s MLA Nixon, a key ally to Premier Jason Kenney..Kenney is facing an anticipated hotly-contested leadership review at the April 9 special general meeting in Red Deer..The decision is expected to create a severe backlash from Hoven supporters in the constituency..“Following a referral from the Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre UCP Local Constituency Nomination Committee, the Provincial Candidate Selection Committee (the Committee) has now met to formally consider your candidacy and has rejected your application,” wrote Van Vugt in the letter obtained by the Western Standard..“First, as you disclosed on your Nomination Contestant Application, you have an account on the website “Gab.com.” Research has indicated “Gab.com” has been referred to as “an Online Haven for White Supremacists,” and has previously sponsored a conference led by a well-known white nationalist and Holocaust denier.”.Van Vugt cited “follows and interacts” with four people, whom he alleged to be white nationalists and promoters of hate speech..They include VoxDay, Stefan Molyneux, RedPillBabe, and Milo Yiannopoulos..“While “following” individuals does not necessarily equal an endorsement, you have tacitly endorsed some of the content produced by these individuals, such as commenting ‘Great show’ in response to a discussion video that ‘VoxDay’ hosted with Stefan Molyneux, and sharing a video produced by Mr. Molyneux in 2015 that was subsequently taken down by YouTube because of its white nationalist content,” wrote Van Vugt..Van Vugt said the party’s “stringent vetting standards” to avoid bringing “disrepute” to the party prompted “serious questions” about Hoven’s candidacy..He alleged that VoxDay considers “women’s rights to be a disease that should be eradicated.”.He called Molyneux a “well-known white nationalist and white supremacist.”.“It is difficult to understand what specifically took place in the conversation between two well-known and self-proclaimed white nationalists that prompted you to consider it a ‘great show,’ or what content produced by these individuals would give reason for you to desire more of that content by following their accounts on Gab.com.,” wrote Van Vugt..“Second, you shared a tweet in early February that implied that the RCMP engaged in a conspiracy and was ‘caught in a lie’ regarding violence at the Coutts Border Crossing,” wrote Van Vugt, who noted that the UCP supports the work of law enforcement..“It is highly inappropriate to claim the RCMP engaged in a conspiracy to lie about violence at the Coutts border crossing and sharing such information is not consistent with the values of the UCP..“Individuals who wish to be elected to public office should seriously consider disparaging the institution of law enforcement. Holding institutions accountable is entirely appropriate; spreading unfounded conspiracies is not an exercise in accountability..“You also recently ‘liked’ a tweet stating that ‘we lit this province on fire once before. Do not think we won’t do it again. Your (sic) on the wrong side of history @jkenney.’.“We strongly disagree with your seemingly sympathetic assessment of self-described white nationalists and are frankly disturbed by this cavalier attitude toward interacting with groups and individuals that knowingly promote hate…While we do not allege that you are personally hateful or racist, the apparent associations with controversial individuals and groups accused of hatred are disturbing.”.Last week, David Parker, executive director of Take Back Alberta — a movement that’s continually gaining momentum across the province to oust Kenney from the UCP leadership — warned the party would face a severe backlash if it eliminated Hoven..“If they do disqualify Hoven, I’ll light a prairie fire the likes of which the world has never seen … That would immediately activate 1,500 people in the riding to go to Red Deer,” said David Parker..The announcement Thursday “just to destroy a good man” lit that fire, said Parker..“I think it’s sad that Jason Kenney is so desperate to keep power that he is slandering and defaming the very people who got him elected,” said Parker..“I’m a political organizer. But I have a mother and she’s been a pastor’s wife for 35 years and a home school facilitator in Alberta for just as long. Jason Kenney just activated the homeschoolers.”.Parker vowed to “continue to shine a light on the corruption of the premier.”.The Western Standard reached out to Hoven for comment and was told he is preparing a statement..Last week, the UCP disqualified a strong challenger to Deputy House Leader Joseph Schow for the party’s nomination in Cardston-Siksika..The constituency’s MLA Schow is also part of Kenney’s inner circle..Kenney told a press conference said Jodie Gateman was banned for “extreme, hateful” Facebooks posts, despite the fact that only one of her social media reposts on Muslims was cited as the reason for her being ousted..The Western Standard continues to be flooded with angry emails from Gateman supporters..The Vulcan County councillor appealed the decision. .More to come…..Slobodian is the Senior Manitoba Columnist for the Western Standard.lslobodian@westernstandardonline.com
