Battle begins for UCP leadership hopefuls — with NDP in fray

The United Conservative Party’s interim leader says his views on the gay and lesbian community have evolved in recent years since his time working for an advocacy group touting controversial positions about a “homosexual agenda.”

Former Wildrose MLA Nathan Cooper, 37, said Tuesday he no longer subscribes to those beliefs and instead wants the UCP to be an “open, inclusive” party welcoming all Albertans.

“Over a 10-year period, you learn a lot,” he told a news conference Tuesday at the legislature. “Values and views sometimes change. There are lots of things I didn’t understand then that I know now.”

The news conference was held to announce the UCP’s caucus leadership team, yet most of the questions to Cooper were about his former affiliation with the Canada Family Action advocacy group.

The Penticton, B.C.- based organization bills itself as promoters of a socially conservative agenda based on “Christian principles,” including views against same-sex marriage and abortion.

Cooper’s duties with Canada Family Action included acting as assistant to the president, and hosting an audio blog whose guests included a controversial author opposed to homosexuality. He began working with the group in 2009, though it’s unclear how long he stayed on.

Cooper’s LinkedIn profile makes no mention of Canada Family Action, but his employment history has a gap between December 2009 and October 2010, when he began work as a municipal councillor in Carstairs.

His past work with the organization was publicized on social media Tuesday by the left-leaning media outlet Press Progress.

Cooper said he now “unequivocally” supports the LGBTQ community. He also vowed support for gay-straight alliances, calling them a critical tool for ensuring safe, inclusive schools.

Asked whether parents should be informed if their child joins a gay-straight alliance, he said there are circumstances when it should be done, and circumstances when it shouldn’t.

Deputy premier Sarah Hoffman questioned Cooper’s sincerity, telling reporters in Calgary that he needs to better explain how and when his “extreme opinions” altered.

The legislature is scheduled to reconvene Oct. 30.

The new UCP leader will be elected Oct. 28.