New NDP MLA dealt caucus suspension
Notley puts Deborah Drever on ice for ‘homophobic’ social-media posting
An new Calgary MLA at the centre of several social media controversies has been booted from the NDP caucus by premier-designate Rachel Notley over a homophobic remark posted online.
Deborah Drever, elected May 5 in the west-end riding of Calgary-Bow but yet to be sworn in, was suspended Friday for an image posted on her Instagram account featuring Tories Ric McIver and Jim Prentice with the phrase “Gay boyz” written underneath it.
The account has been deleted, but the image — which appears to date back to last year’s Progressive Conservative leadership race — was circulating on social media on Friday.
In a statement announcing that Drever would now sit as an Independent, Notley issued an apology.
“I apologize to all Albertans for the homophobic statements contained in this image, which are completely contrary to the views of our party and our future government,” said the premier-designate, who will be sworn in as Alberta’s 17th premier on Sunday.
Notley’s spokeswoman Cheryl Oates said the NDP and party leader only became aware of the Instagram post on Friday and confirmed it with the new MLA.
“It’s just not something we can defend,” Oates said.
Drever, a 26-year-old Mount Royal University student, previously attracted criticism for posing for a picture on the 2012 cover of the cassette Fear of Attack by the Calgary heavy metal band Gatekrashor.
In the image, it appears she is about to assaulted by a person with a bottle while other men restrain her, leading observers to raise concerns the picture promoted sexual violence against women.
Drever, who could not be reached for comment Friday, had already come under fire for photos posted on her now-deleted Facebook page. In one picture, she posed in front of a T-shirt promoting marijuana, while in another, someone — Drever said it was not her — is giving the finger to the Canadian flag.
There have been online petitions circulating calling for Drever to resign as MLA.
Allison Dube, a Mount Royal University professor who taught Drever, said her social media mishaps aren’t reflective of the personality of his former student, whom he calls bright, thoughtful and witty.
“The caricature that has formed of her is a picture that doesn’t exist anymore,” said Dube.
But Derek Fildebrandt, the youngest MLA elected for the Wildrose Party in the election, said Drever’s youth should not excuse her foibles.
The incoming Strathmore-Brooks representative said Drever’s problems stem from being an example of a “paper candidate” — a person intended only to fill space on a ballot — who was unexpectedly elected in the NDP sweep.
“This is a textbook example of why we should have recall legislation,” said Fildebrandt, whose party has advocated for a law that gives constituents the ability to oust an MLA. “The only people who should truly be making that call (on Drever’s future) are the people of Calgary-Bow.”
McIver, named PC interim leader after the defeat of the Tory government, declined to comment about the use of his photo by Drever.
He said the decision on how to handle the rookie MLA is up to Notley. “The new premier and the NDP are managing it and I’m going to let them do that,” said McIver.
On Wednesday, Notley said Drever had apologized to her for the heavy metal album image. The incoming premier said she had assigned Drever to reach out to groups that work with vulnerable women as a way to make amends.
In her statement Friday, Notley held out the possibility of Drever eventually rejoining the NDP caucus.
“I hope Ms. Drever will take to heart our conversation earlier this week about her responsibility to speak out clearly on issues of violence against women, and homophobia,” said Notley.
“If she does so as part of her duties to her constituents, I’ll review this matter in the coming year and consider whether she has a future in our caucus.”
Oates said there is no timeline for Drever’s possible return. “It’s safe to say she would not be welcomed back into the caucus until she’s proved she can do her job as a responsible MLA,” she said.
Kristopher Wells, professor at the University of Alberta’s Institute for Sexual Minority Studies, said Notley’s move was appropriate and the NDP’s commitment on LGBTQ issues is clear, noting the new government has Alberta’s first three openly gay MLAs.
He said Drever’s remark is an example of “casual homophobia,” where words such as gay are used as slurs. But Wells believes Drever can make amends and learn from the experience.
“It’s getting out and interacting with the community, talking to community members and hearing about how that kind of language of casual homophobia has impact,” he said.
The Drever issue has been an ongoing distraction for the NDP as it transitions into power, the first change of government in Alberta since 1971. The latest flare-up came the same day as the party apologized for linking a fundraising page to an invitation to Sunday’s swearing-in of the new NDP cabinet.
Lori Williams, a political scientist at Mount Royal University, said Drever’s previous controversies could be chalked up to “youthful indiscretion, but this goes directly against the fundamental brand and tenor of Rachel Notley’s leadership.”
Williams said the problem could have been avoided if the NDP had properly vetted Drever, an issue of particular importance for younger candidates immersed in social media.
“This is a problem we expected to start emerging in maybe 10 years,” she said. “But when you have young candidates in their 20s, then it’s going to be a problem ...
“For this generation, there is this permanent record. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to permanently erase some of this information.”
There is this permanent record. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to permanently erase some of this information.