AIRDRIE, AB (June 30, 2015): Today, Wildrose Shadow Minister for the Status of Women Angela Pitt released the following statement on the NDP’s appointment of Brent Dancey as the chief of staff for the new women’s ministry and the Ministry of Environment and Parks. According to reports, Dancey was previously convicted of a brutal assault and sentenced to nine months in prison:
“As the Shadow Minister for the Status of Women I find the appointment of Mr. Dancey deeply concerning and Albertans I’ve spoken with are looking for explanations. Violence against women is one of the top issues facing the new women’s ministry, and the fact the NDP thought it was appropriate to appoint someone with an apparent criminal history of violence as a top advisor to the minister is incredibly out-of-touch with the values of Alberta families.
“Wildrose stands with victims of crime, and we will continue to press for clear answers on why Premier Notley rewarded Mr. Dancey with this top-level government position. We’ve seen a pattern emerge from this government of appointing staffers with dubious backgrounds to high-level positions. If the Premier believes that Mr. Dancey is the best person for the job, she should explain to Albertans what his qualifications are because we just don’t see them.”