CALGARY – A racially inappropriate comment referring to “brown people” made by a Wildrose candidate on Saturday night has analysts speculating on how the party will fare in the anticipated spring election.
Bill Jarvis, now former Wildrose candidate for Calgary-South East, was heard saying “we need lots of brown people in the front” on a live microphone moments before newly-elected leader Brian Jean was about to address a Calgary crowd—a night that should have signaled a new beginning for the party.
Watch below: Wildrose Party candidate Bill Jarvis made an offensive remark during an event to name a new leader on Saturday night.
Instead, Jean’s first order of business was firing Jarvis as a candidate for the Calgary South-East riding.
“The comment was disrespectful and while I accept that Mr. Jarvis did not intend to insult, I will not accept inappropriate statements that fail to show respect for all Albertans,” said Jean in a statement.
Senior PC cabinet minister Manmeet Bhullar was diplomatic Monday, saying comments such as Jarvis’ can be divisive but need to be taken in context.
“My opinion is it’s important to be forgiving of people when something happens that is done in a joke or in that kind of context, but when something is intentioned, that is a different story altogether,” said Bhullar.
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But for some, the comment brings back memories of another Wildrose candidate, Allan Hunsberger. In 2012, Hunsberger wrote a blog post in which he claimed homosexuals were doomed to an eternity in a “lake of fire” if they didn’t change.
“If gay people die the way they’re born they will suffer the rest of eternity in the lake of fire,” said the post.
Some analysts believe that cost the party a shot at forming the government, and with increased speculation that Albertans will soon be going to the polls during a spring provincial election, Jarvis’ gaffe could also have a negative effect.
“This is just more of the same, I think it’s reinforcing an image of the party and it’s going to hurt them,” said Mount Royal University political analyst Lori Williams. “But there are those who are strongly supportive of the ideas of the Wildrose, and they will continue to support them.”
Jean didn’t respond to the controversy on Monday, but announced a new policy designed to deter floor-crossers like former leader Danielle Smith. Jean said all Wildrose candidates will sign a guarantee to forfeit $100,000 if they desert for another political party.
READ MORE: Shocking upset in Alberta politics as Carrie Fischer beats Danielle Smith
With files from Andrew Russell
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