Prince Albert PPC candidate explains controversial tweets

The People’s Party of Canada (PPC) candidate for the federal election in the Prince Albert riding is explaining a series of brash comments he made on Twitter regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a tweet on April 6, Joseph McCrea responded to a post by Regina Elphinstone-Centre NDP MLA Meara Conway in which she questioned the government’s response to the pandemic.

McCrea tweeted: “There is no pandemic. Start doing your research instead of putting fear into people.”

He added the intensive care unit was full “like it normally is” not because of COVID, and in other tweets used some choice words in telling Premier Scott Moe where he could put his restrictions and vaccines.

The tweets were published before McCrea was announced as the Prince Albert riding candidate for the PPC.

Talking to paNOW, McCrea said the tweets came at a time of frustration while his family was facing a medical emergency.

“I was going through a rough time with my 12-year-old boy,” McCrea said. “He needed to get crucial brain surgery in Winnipeg.”

McCrea said the surgery was originally scheduled for some time in October 2020 but was delayed due to Saskatchewan’s travel restrictions at the time.

“I was just getting a little bit frustrated and just trying to fight for my son,” he said.

McCrea also pointed out part of his party’s platform is freedom of choice.

“If people want to wear a mask, they can wear a mask. If they want to get vaccinated, they can get vaccinated,” McCrea said. “It’s the same for vaccine passports. We’re not making it so people have to get one. We give people free choice and free speech. That’s what our party is all about.”

People’s Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier has attended several rallies protesting public health measures in recent months, including an anti-mask rally in Regina.

Earlier this summer, he was arrested in Manitoba for violating public health orders. At an event in Didsbury, Alta. on Tuesday, Bernier told a group of supporters he would go to jail again to protect their freedom.

All of the tweets on McCrea’s Twitter account have since been deleted.

Dawson Thompson, paNOW