Alberta UCP welcomes MLA who compared transgender kids to feces back into caucus

The Alberta politician who was removed from the United Conservative Party caucus after comparing transgender children to feces has been voted back in.

Jennifer Johnson, the MLA for Lacombe-Ponoka, says she grew “personally and professionally” in the 17 months since being removed from caucus.

“Now, I am eager to apply what I have learned to benefit everyone who calls this province home,” Johnson said in a news release.

The MLA was kicked out last year after a 2022 recording surfaced of her comparing transgender youth to a batch of cookies laced with “a little bit of poop.” She has been sitting as an independent since then.

Premier Danielle Smith said at the time that Johnson was not welcome back in the UCP, but later said Johnson could come back if she did work to educate herself on the issue.

“Prior to being elected, I used an inappropriate analogy discussing education policy surrounding trans youth. And for that, I sincerely apologize,” Johnson says in a video posted to the UCP’s social media pages. “I want all children working through gender identity issues to know that you are cared for, valued and respected.”

Johnson recently met with a number of LGBTQ+ Albertans and advocacy groups, though their feeling from that meeting was that Johnson had not rebuilt trust or exhibited understanding. Following the meeting, five groups denounced it in a joint statement.

“While not every conversation was easy, I listened and heard from diverse perspectives,” Johnson says in Wednesday’s video. “And I’m grateful for the chance I’ve had to grow from this experience and meet some really beautiful people along the way.”

UCP chief government whip Shane Getson says MLAs voted Johnson back in to “acknowledge her hard work (and) recognize her efforts.”

Johnson will once again sit with the UCP when the legislative assembly reconvenes Oct. 28.