Saskatoon-University MP Brad Trost is voicing his support for the “lock her up” chants directed at Alberta Premier Rachel Notley.
The chants broke out at an anti-carbon tax rally held outside the Alberta legislature Saturday while fellow Conservative leadership candidate, Chris Alexander, was speaking.
On Tuesday afternoon, Trost tweeted, “Wanted to be there w my friend @calxandr supporting Albertans would’ve chanted w them #cpcldr #LockHerUp.”
Wanted to be there w my friend @calxandr supporting Albertans would’ve chanted w them #cpcldr #LockHerUp
— Brad Trost (@BradTrostCPC) December 6, 2016
The tweet came a day after both Alexander and Alberta Wildrose Party Leader Brian Jean distanced themselves from the chant.
“I disapprove of that chant,” Alexander told Global News. “But I take those sentiments very seriously.”
Jean went further, saying he “denounced” the chant along with inappropriate signs that were held during the rally.
“I don’t think there is any place for it in Alberta politics,” he said. “I wish people who had those desires… would just stay at home.”
Trost also called Interim Conservative Party leader Rona Ambrose “out of touch” in a separate tweet after she suggested those who were chanting were “acting like idiots.”
“@RonaAmbrose should apologize for being out of touch & calling those grass roots Albertans “idiots” #cpcldr #LockHerUp,” he wrote.
@RonaAmbrose should apologize for being out o touch & calling those grass roots Albertans “idiots” #cpcldr #LockHerUp
— Brad Trost (@BradTrostCPC) December 6, 2016
Trost was expected to take part in a Conservative Party Leadership debate in Moncton Tuesday evening. He is competing against a field that includes Alexander, Regina-Qu’Appelle MP Andrew Scheer, Simcoe-Grey MP Kellie Leitch and former cabinet ministers Lisa Raitt and Maxime Bernier.