Jason Soklofske assault charge prompts police reminder
Medicine Hat police are reminding Albertans that candidates and campaign workers have the "right of free access to multiple dwelling sites and residential units" following a weekend altercation involving former NDP candidate Jason Soklofske.
The NDP hopeful for Medicine Hat withdrew his candidacy after being charged with simple assault while doorknocking Saturday.
Soklofske officially resigned Sunday on his own volition, said Rachel Notley Monday. The NDP leader did not provide any other detail.
"Now the matter of course is with the police and before the courts and it would not be appropriate for me to talk about the details of that," she said. "We will be announcing a replacement candidate within the next couple of days. There will definitely be a candidate for people in Medicine Hat to get behind in order to support the NDP in that community."
Identification badges needed
Medicine Hat police are not saying much about the altercation either, but did release a reminder today online that campaigning is allowed from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily under Section 133 of the Elections Act.
Police say those on the campaign trail must have an identification badge visibly displayed to gain access.
"Each identification card bears a foil seal that is difficult to reproduce and a unique number for each badge which has been recorded to track to whom a badge has been issued," said Medicine Hat police in a statement.
This is not the first assault seen during recent election campaigns in Alberta. Thomas Lukaszuk, a former cabinet minister running again for the Progressive Conservatives, also got into an altercation while doorknocking in the Edmonton-Castledown riding in 2012.
