KRUGGEL: Just when the BC Conservatives were making some good moves, they take two steps backwards

Often a commentary or editorial like this begins with ... there's a rule in politics...

There are in fact many rules in politics those elected to public office need to follow. There are lots that say you should do this and many more that say never do that.

Recently BC Conservative MLA Heather Maahs invited ARPA Canada to the BC Legislature for an event to promote their organization.

From their webpage here is how they describe themselves.

The Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) Canada is a grassroots Christian political advocacy organization.

The mission of ARPA Canada is to educate, equip, and encourage Reformed Christians to political action, and to bring a biblical perspective to our civil authorities.

ARPA Canada believes that Jesus Christ is sovereign over all, including all civil governments. However, we also uphold the separation of the institutions of church and state.

They are a right wing organization that oppose marriage equality, abortion rights, legalized gambling, assisted suicide, and a lot of other things. You might think well I'm pretty conservative so their views likely line up with mine.. That's probably until you read through their articles and find them targeting things you believe in and enjoy.

Needless to say here's the rule in politics of something an elected official must never break never promote an organization or group of people that seek to marginalize or take away the rights of another group of law abiding people.

That should be obvious. You don't go after or support people going after marginalized groups in society like LGBTQ+ people, those of different races and cultures, Residential School survivors, and groups like that.

The voters are not going to look kindly on elected officials that embrace people who support groups that go after marginalized groups of people.

In the vernacular, it isn't cool so don't do it.

John Rustad did attend the event, he should not have, but he made it clear he doesn't support them and their goals but he does share their opposition to SOGI 123. He was there as the party leader though.
When asked about abortion, while not giving his personal view, he stated the Conservatives would never move to restrict access to abortion in British Columbia.

Rustad handled that well but really, the moment he found out that was going on he should have said no, we cannot be seen with those kinds of people.

Those kinds of people?

You might be thinking, being a little judgemental there Devon? You'd be right. I've got a low tolerance for those that want to turn back the social clock. Most voters do, and especially so in British Columbia. This is an extremely socially progressive province so anyone wanting to be premier needs to keep that in mind.

BC Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko gave her thoughts on the topic and it was clear, she was pissed. Sturko is an lesbian and married to another woman and they have three children together. ARPA considers people like Sturko immoral and her marriage not valid.

Sturko was livid that this event took place in the legislature happened and that a member of her party organized it. The NDP were all too gleeful in sharing the details. MLA Maahs gave the NDP a great story to smear the Conservatives.

Like I said, there are rules for things not to do as an elected official and breaking them has consequences.

How much will this alienate voters against the Conservatives?

How long will this be remembered?

Expect to hear about it in 2028 when the next campaign is called.