Ala Buzreba has withdrawn as a Liberal candidate for Calgary-Nose Hill, after she faced criticism for offensive tweets she wrote as a teenager.
Buzreba, 21, wrote the tweets four years ago.
鈥淚 would like to reiterate that I apologize, without reservation, for posting comments that do not accurately reflect my views and who I am,鈥� she wrote in a Facebook post late Tuesday.
鈥淚 have posted a lot of content on social media over the years, and like many teenagers, I did so without really taking the time to think through my words and weigh the implications. I am confident this decision is the right decision for myself and for the people of Calgary Nose Hill.
I have decided to step down as a candidate. Please read my full statement on my FB page:
鈥� Ala Buzreba (@votealabuzreba)
She had hoped to unseat incumbent Conservative candidate Michelle Rempel in the Calgary riding. But images of her offensive tweets, since deleted, were circulated online and retweeted.
In one tweet, posted on April 26, 2011, she told an Israel supporter that "Your mother should have used that coat hanger."
She also told another Twitter user to 鈥渂low your brains out."
And in a third tweet circulating online, she said a haircut had made her look 鈥渓ike a flipping lesbian.鈥�
Buzreba apologized, saying she was young when she posted them and 鈥渢hey do not reflect my views, who I am as a person, or my deep respect for all communities in our country.鈥�
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau had accepted her apology.
鈥淚 think it's important to point out that she was a teenager and we all make mistakes, but I'm glad to see she has unreservedly apologized," he said in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
