Alberta’s Wildrose party aims to drain “Lake of Fire” that cost it 2012 vote

EDMONTON – Members of Alberta’s Wildrose party are holding their annual policy meeting this weekend, with the aim of draining once and for all the notorious “lake of fire.”

Party rank and file will vote to put in black and white their commitment to equal rights for all, and to no discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The party, also criticized for not recognizing climate change, will also vote to take concrete steps to reduce greenhouse gases.

The meeting comes a year and a half after Leader Danielle Smith’s party appeared en route to election victory, only to get derailed by criticism over anti-gay and racist remarks by two candidates.

One of those candidates, Allan Hunsperger of Edmonton, warned gays that if they didn’t repent they would burn for eternity in what he called hell’s “lake of fire.”

The “Lake of fire” comment made headlines across Canada and became shorthand for opponents wishing to portray the Wildrose as ignorant bigots.