Alberta MLA comparing transgender students to poop welcomed back by UCP

October 9, 2024 Canuck

Jennifer Johnson, Lacombe-Ponoka legislature member, has been welcomed back into the United Conservative Party (UCP).

Johnson was banned in 2023 over comments where she compared the issue of transgender students in Alberta’s schools to baking cookies with feces inside.

“We can be top three per cent but that little bit of poop is what wrecks it,” Johnson said in audio from a 2022 talk at the Western Unity Group in Stettler.

“This is more than a teaspoon of poop in the cookie batch, right?”

At the time, Johnson said she was embarrassed to “have caused hurt,” and apologized for the way she discussed the issue.

Despite the comments, Johnson was re-elected in May as an independent member.

Premier Danielle Smith said in August that Johnson could be readmitted after new UCP policies on pronouns were passed.

On Wednesday, the UCP announced Johnson had been welcomed back to caucus after an internal vote.

Shane Getson, UCP chief government whip, said Johnson has met with “numerous” members of the LGBTQ2S+ and “engaged on topics of importance” since the 2023 election.

Queer Citizens United, the Lacombe Pride Society, Ponoka Pride Society and Central Alberta Pride Society all denounced a meeting held with Johnson in September.

A member of Queer Citizens United said afterward that Johnson has not exhibited understanding or rebuilt trust with the community, calling the meeting an insincere display.

Johnson’s status as a UCP MLA took effect immediately.

CTV News Edmonton has reached out to Johnson and the Lacombe Pride society for comment and is awaiting their responses.

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