Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes. (CHAT News Today)

By Chris Brown / David Opinko

Barnes backs away from “End the Lockdown” following founder’s Hitler Tweet

Apr 5, 2021 | 12:40 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes says he has ended his association with the End the Lockdown caucus after what he calls disturbing remarks made by the group’s founder.

On social media, Barnes said “I ended my association with ‘End the Lockdowns Caucus,’ & strongly condemn the disturbing remarks made by Mr. Hillier. These remarks trivialize the history of Nazi Germany & the millions of lives lost, & have no place in our public discourse.”

The group was founded by Ontario MPP Randy Hillier.

Last week, Hillier posted a photo of Adolf Hitler on Twitter that compared Ontario’s response to the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic to the Third Reich.

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Barnes and fellow UCP MLA Angela Pitts joined the group earlier this year. Pitts is the deputy house speaker and MLA for Airdrie-East.

Both have questioned the provincial COVID-19 restrictions and Barnes has been vocal in pushing for a regionalized approach.

The End the Lockdowns Caucus currently has around 53 members, all of whom are federal, provincial, or local politicians. Some notable members include:

• Maxime Bernier – Leader of the federal People’s Party of Canada
• Joe Mauro – Councillor for the City of Lethbridge
• Paul Hinman – Interim Leader for the provincial Wildrose Independence Party of Alberta
• Derek Fildebrandt – former MLA for Strathmore-Brooks

LNN has reached out to Barnes for additional comments.

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