Not a single Tory MLA votes against Bill 44

 Edmonton – Bill 44 passed into law last night, and not a single Tory MLA, not even so-called Red Tories like Dave Hancock, voted against the bill.

 “The Premier promised a free vote on this issue, so Albertans face one of two uncomfortable truths,” says David Swann, Alberta Liberal Leader. “Either the Premier misled Albertans and the vote was not truly free, or there are no moderates in the Stelmach administration.”

 Swann is disappointed that the Stelmach administration discounted the thousands of Albertans who wrote letters, made phone calls, signed petitions and came to the Legislature to speak out against the parental opt-out provisions of the bill.

 “I can’t believe that not one Tory MLA had the courage to vote against this bill,” says Laurie Blakeman, Shadow Minister of Culture and Community Spirit. “This free vote was an opportunity to stand up for free speech and children’s rights to a well-rounded public education. They blew it. The Stelmach administration has taken one huge step into the past.”