January 06, 2014 - 1:55 PM
CALGARY - A Calgary Conservative group says it will attempt to oust outspoken MP Rob Anders before the next federal election in 2015.
The group has launched a website — with the motto "It's time to do better" — with the goal of shutting out Anders when the party next nominates a candidate in the Calgary West riding.
The website notes that 2014 marks the 17th year Anders has been an MP and says it's time for a change.
It says there is a team in place to make that happen and asks that people buy a membership to support the movement.
Anders, who is 41, has represented Calgary West since 1997.
Neither Anders nor David McKenzie, a Calgary lawyer who chairs the oust-Anders group, immediately responded to requests for comment.
The riding name is changing to Calgary Signal Hill under federal redistribution.
Anders has faced a number of challenges during past nominations, including attempts by now-Premier Alison Redford in 2004 and former Alberta member of the legislature Jocelyn Burgener in 2000.
He describes himself as a social conservative who is pro-life.
Anders opposed honorary Canadian citizenship for Nelson Mandela in 2001 and labelled him a communist and a terrorist.
He is vitriolic in his dislike of China. He once compared the 2008 Beijing Olympics to the 1936 Berlin Games.
In 2012, Anders was dropped from the Commons veterans affairs committee after he lashed out against a veterans support group which had criticized him for falling asleep during a committee meeting.
He later apologized for saying his critics were NDP "hacks.''
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014