Alberta PC party director Craig Chandler resigns over Earls terrorism remark

CALGARY – A member of the Alberta Progressive Conservative party’s board of directors has quit for saying the Earls restaurant chain supports terrorism.

Craig Chandler posted a comment on social media saying Earls supports terrorism because the Kansas company it will source its meat from also produces halal beef.

READ MORE: Vancouver-based Earls moves to U.S. supplier for beef, cites humane meat policy

He said he resigned from the PC board of directors because he doesn’t want to be a distraction for the party, which is trying to rebuild after being swept from power last year by Rachel Notley’s NDP.

“I’m taking responsibility for this, this is nobody else, and I’m not going to slam MLAs that have said anything about me or anything like that in any way shape or form,” Chandler said on AM770 Kingkade and Breakenridge Friday afternoon.

Chandler said his comment has been taken out of context, but if he offended anyone he is sorry.

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“I just hope in due time that people will see that there’s been misunderstandings, and I’ll just work hard to do so, but I just don’t want to be a distraction,” Chandler said.

“My slogan is putting Alberta first and if that means I shouldn’t be on the board because it causes some frustration for some, you know what? I’m going to remove myself and I’m going to serve my party and serve my province,” he said.

READ MORE: Earls restaurant moves to Humane Certified beef – what is it and is it healthier?

No stranger to controversy, the party refused to endorse Chandler as a PC candidate in the 2007 provincial election over his anti-gay views at the time.

Chandler said he plans to remain in the PC party despite his resignation.  He also said he still plans to attend the party’s annual general meeting.

“Yeah I’m a delegate and I’ll still attend. I think I’ll do more observing than anything, I don’t think I’ll say a word,” he said.

A non-profit organization that promotes multicultural-cooperation in Alberta’s Muslim communities said it welcomed news of Chandler’s resignation.

The Alberta Muslim Public Affairs Council also called on the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta to ensure board members respect Alberta’s diversity.

(CHQR, The Canadian Press)

With files from Global News.