MLA Derek Fildebrandt won't be allowed to rejoin UCP after pleading guilty to illegally shooting deer

Less than an hour afterDerekFildebrandtpleaded guilty to illegally shooting a deer on private land,United Conservative Party Leader Jason Kenneyannouncedthe embattled Alberta MLA would notbe allowed to rejointhe UCP caucus.

Fildebrandtstepped downfrom the then newly formedUCPcaucus in August after being plagued by a series of political scandals and has been sitting as an Independent member forStrathmore-Brooks.

• Derek Fildebrandt charged with illegal deer kill on private land

In a statement sent out earlier in the day,Kenneysaid that at the end of November weeks after Fildebrandt had been charged under the Fish and Wildlife Act he extensively questioned Fildebrandtto find out if there were any "outstanding matters of which we should be aware before considering an application from him to rejoin our caucus."

Kenny saidFildebrandt"deliberately misled" him by not disclosing the deer incident, which came to light only after media reports in December.

"Neither I nor our caucus can have confidence in the veracity of his undertakings to us," said Kenney in his statement.

Later in the day, Fildebrandttweeted: "Revolution devours its own children."

Fildebrandtwas asked by CBC News why he hadn't disclosed his Fish and Wildlife charges to Kenneyas he left theDidsburycourthouse momentsafter the UCP leader's announcement.

"Well, I hadn't expected a grilling on everything going on," said Fildebrandt. "There's been a lot going on in life."

Earlier Friday morning,Didsburycourt heard Fildebrandtwas "extremely remorseful" after being confronted with the woman who owned the land where he'd shot the white-tailed deer, although he said hehadn't noticed the "No Hunting" signs.

"It's a very early guilty plea," said defence lawyer Dale Fedorchuk outside of court on Friday. "Mr. Fildebrandt, right from the very beginning, acknowledged that he made a mistake."

After a plea deal was worked out between Fedorchuk and prosecutor Craig Kallal, the MLA must pay $3,000 in fines. A charge of entering onto private land during a hunting excursion was withdrawn.

"Every hunter knows it is their responsibility alone to know what property they are on and for this I am truly sorry," said Fildebrandt in a written statement.

"I have learned an important lesson from this event and again I apologize to any and everyone who I may have inconvenienced."

• Derek Fildebrandt charged with illegal deer kill on private land

The facts of the case were read aloud at court.

On Nov. 4, 2017, one of the landowners arrived hometo see a truck parked in herfield. The driver said his "buddy had just shot a deer" and that the pair had permission to be on the land. The woman informed him she and her husband owned the property and had not given anyone permission to be there.

Fildebrandtappeared, dragging the deer toward the truck when he was confronted by the landowner, telling her he believed he was on Crown land.

Fish and Wildlife officers arrived and advised Fildebrandt the deer could be donated to the food bank, which he agreed to do. Those officers noted he was "extremely apologetic" throughout thesituation.

At the end of the hearing Friday, Commissioner Danny Elliott, who presided over Fildebrandt's guilty plea, ordered Fildebrandt's seizedrifle, scope and rounds be returned.

Fildebrandt found guilty in hit-and-run

In December,Fildebrandtwas fined $400 after beingfound guilty in Edmonton traffic court of hit and run and failing to notify the owner of the damaged vehicle.

While he pointed out none of his client's convictions are criminal, Fedorchuksaid he believes this will be the end of Fildebrandt's court dealings.

"Some of the things he's gotten involved in, it's been unfortunate, but these are provincial offences that leave no record, and I certainly believe that this is the end of ... his legal woes."

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