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She described such politics as a “subtle embracing of issues that are designed to attract people with fairly extreme opinions to your movement. That’s something that we’ve been seeing on the right more and more.”

Two of the candidates, Kenney, and the riding association say the Soldiers of Odin crashed the event and the candidates didn’t know who they were with when they posed for photos. They unreservedly denounced the group’s views.

Notley said what happened highlights a trend in right-wing politics and Kenney’s party. She noted that others running for candidacy in the UCP in recent months have either been rejected or allowed to run despite expressing bigoted comments.

“This is not an isolated incident,” said Notley.

“We also look at this pattern that we see developing with respect to the proliferation of candidates with that (UCP) party that also appear to hold views that are rooted in hate.”

She said such views must be challenged loudly and repeatedly, and called on Kenney to do more than send out statements on social media.

“He needs to speak directly to it … and very definitively declare, not only his position, but what they will do to stop it from happening in the future.”

This is not an isolated incident

Kenney, speaking in Calgary, noted that one of the people seeking the nomination in West Henday is Cree and another is Metis.

“It’s unfortunate but I’m not entirely surprised the premier is going into gutter politics,” he said.

“It would be nicer if the premier were actually to stand in solidarity with our Aboriginal nomination candidates, who were obviously the targets of political mischief.