UCP should be ‘open, inclusive,’ Cooper says

Interim leader looks to distance himself from controversial past

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, and that proof of his changed views can be found in some of his speeches in the legislature.

“I have spoken about some of the things I’ve learned from other members of the NDP caucus and the LGBTQ caucus,” he said. “I have just a better understanding of the community generally.

“There should be nobody who is feeling outside our society.”

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.

“He either owes Albertans an explanation or his resignation,” she said Tuesday.

Hoffman said homophobia continues to be a theme with conservative leaders in Alberta, noting the most recent heads of the Progressive Conservative and Wildrose parties — Jason Kenney and Brian Jean — have failed to attend pride parades.

Cooper, MLA for OldsDidsbury-Three Hills, was selected to the top role Monday by members of the party’s newly merged caucus.

The group features 22 former Wildrose MLAs and seven former Progressive Conservative MLAs.

Cooper announced Calgary-West MLA Mike Ellis will serve as deputy leader, while Calgary-Fish Creek MLA Richard Gotfried becomes house leader. Both are former PCs.

The legislature is scheduled to reconvene Oct. 30.

The new UCP party leader will be elected Oct. 28.

Cooper said the MLAs named to the posts Tuesday will not actively participate in any leadership campaign.