Kenney condemned for calling Edmonton academic 'deranged' and an 'NDP law professor'
An Edmonton law professor is threatening to sue Alberta's premier over an attack that he considers "a violent call to arms" against him, while several politicians and academics condemn the post.
On Thursday morning, a screengrab of a tweet posted by Ubaka Ogbogu was posted to Jason Kenney's Facebook page.
In his original post, the University of Alberta professor stated he would continue to wear a mask, primarily "to "spite Kenney."
"Sad to see how deranged the left has become," the premier's response said.
"This NDP law professor will wear a mask 'to spite' me. Why is everything always political to these lefties? And why is the NDP angry about getting life back to normal?"
Ogbogu demanded that Kenney delete the post and apologize.
"These attacks are actually quite dangerous and have resulted in vicious racist attacks against me in the past," he said in an interview with CTV News Edmonton.
Previous posts by Kenney's staff members have attracted hateful calls, messages and mail, Ogbogu explained. He said he's had to hide his phone number and email address from the public, and worries he may be attacked physically.
Ogbogu often tweets about politics, and some of his criticism has been directed at the premier and the United Conservative Party government. He said he wouldn't be upset by Kenney returning fire with a policy debate, but not with a personal attack that he insists is untrue.
University of Alberta law professor Ubaka Ogbogu in an interview with CTV News Edmonton in July 2021.
"I think it will very easily pass the bar for defamation. He cannot claim that he's telling the truth, because I am not deranged, factually speaking. And I am not, in any way, affiliated with the NDP," Ogbogu said.
CTV News Edmonton reached out to the premier's office multiple times for comment on this story, but no response was received.
'MEAN, VINDICTIVE, AND PETTY'
Kenney's post was widely criticized online Thursday by politicians and other academics from both Edmonton and Calgary.
"Premier, this is unbecoming, divisive and low. Please act in keeping with the office you hold and stop targeting private citizens regardless of your personal hurt feelings," Coun. Aaron Paquette tweeted.
NDP MLA Janis Irwin called the premier's post "abhorrent," and Calgary political scientist Duane Bratt called it a "cheapshot."
"As someone who's been through this, I stand with my colleague, 100%, and repeat his request. The premier should delete the post, apologize, and do better. Critique our ideas and our work. Stop sending ad hominem partisan attacks our way," tweeted Melanee Thomas, a political science associate professor at the University of Calgary.
"It is completely unacceptable to attack private citizens. Just this week you spoke about eliminating division. Your Facebook post runs completely counter to your goal. Please delete the post and apologize," Coun. Andrew Knack urged Kenney.
Ogbogu said Kenney's comments were also posted to Twitter but deleted. He alleges that it's clear the premier is "dog whistling" his supporters on Facebook to attack him.
"Imagine being the premier of a province. Having that kind of power to help those around you. And instead using that power to try and rally hate against academics for having opinions you don’t like. Mean, vindictive, and petty," NDP MLA Kathleen Ganley tweeted.
Ogbogu didn't provide a timeline for when his lawsuit could be launched. He said he's still hopeful the premier will delete the post. The professor believes an apology, however, is less likely.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bloc won't hold Liberals 'hostage' over seniors' benefits: cabinet minister
Liberal cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault says the Liberals will not be 'held hostage' by the Bloc Quebecois' demand to expand Old Age Security to more seniors.
Police identify Toronto victim of alleged serial killer
Toronto police have identified the woman who was allegedly killed by a suspected serial killer earlier this month.
Missing father, kids spotted in New Zealand wilderness 3 years after disappearance: police
A New Zealand man who disappeared with his three children in 2021 was spotted on a farm along the country's northwest coast, police say.
No jail time for man who fatally stabbed senior in Vancouver
A man who stabbed a senior to death in Vancouver's Biltmore Hotel building in 2020 has been given a conditional sentence for the killing, meaning he will not serve any jail time if he remains on good behaviour in the community.
Boeing to cut 17,000 jobs, or 10% of its global workforce
U.S. planemaker Boeing will cut 17,000 jobs, or 10 per cent of its global workforce, delay first delivery of its 777X jet by a year and announced substantial new losses in its defence business as a month-long strike batters company finances, CEO Kelly Ortberg said on Friday.
'We've been here before': Trudeau says Canada will prioritize interests in potential U.S. trade renegotiation
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that if the next U.S. president re-opens trade negotiations for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Canada will prioritize its own interests.
B.C. billionaire posts third large sign criticizing NDP ahead of the election
British Columbia billionaire Chip Wilson has put up yet another billboard message to voters, his third post outside his multimillion-dollar mansion in NDP Leader David Eby's own riding.
Deadly Old Montreal fire: police arrest two suspects aged 18 and 20
Montreal police have arrested two young adults in connection with the deadly fire in Old Montreal last week that killed a mother and her young daughter.
Former public safety minister didn't know about delayed spy warrant, he tells inquiry
Former public safety minister Bill Blair told a federal inquiry Friday he had no knowledge about delays in approving a spy service warrant in 2021 that may have included references to people in his own government.