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This is not what I wanted my first column to be.

I would have much rather eased into this new gig by writing about a government policy, or previewing the upcoming fall sitting of the legislature.

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Instead I find myself compelled to weigh in on a disturbing moment that could escalate into a full-fledged leitmotif in Alberta politics for the next several months.

As many Albertans now know, a trio of United Conservative Party nomination candidates in Edmonton attended a pub night hosted by the party last weekend in which they posed for pictures with members of a white nationalist, anti-immigration group called Soldiers of Odin.

Two of the candidates, Leila Houle and Nicole Williams, later posted ajoint statement saying they had no idea who the men were, and condemning the group’s views.

The third nomination hopeful, Lance Coulter, said he knew of the group, but said while he doesn’t agree with what they stand for, they have a “constitutional right to voice their opinions.”