Ric McIver apologizes for participation in March for Jesus

PC leadership candidate Ric McIver says he is sorry for drawing attention to a website that condemns homosexuals.

He was criticizedthis week for taking part in the March for Jesus event on Sunday in Calgary.

• PCs trumpet 'acceptance' after Ric McIver's March for Jesus appearance

The group sponsoring the march has comments posted on its website making references to people of "wrong sexual preferences."

Today in Calgary, McIver saidhe made a mistake.

"What I did not doand what Iregret and what Iapologize for isI didn't do my homework. I didn't check the website," said McIver. "Anybody that's angry, I agree with them. [There is] nasty, mean-spirited stuff on this website that there's no excuse for and Iapologize for drawing attention to it."

McIver said he developed a relationship with the group while he was on Calgary city council.He used to stop by when the organization held barbecues outside City Hall to feed the homeless.

He saidthis is the end of his relationship with the March of Jesus.

Today is the first time he held a press conference to address the controversy.Reaction to the incident was swift after it became public earlier this week.

Reaction was swift earlier this week

A statement fromProgressive Conservative Association of Alberta presidentJim McCormick on Monday said that tolerance and acceptance arevital to the province.

"Individual members are expected to follow our statement of principles, which includes that of being an open party that's accessible to all Albertans. Closed mindedness or intolerance have no place in the PCAA."

The other candidates vying to be Alberta's next premieralso releasedstatements.

Former Conservative MP Jim Prentice says hevoted in favour of marriage equality.

"He has spent his entire career advocating for the individual rights of Canadians and Albertans, and also for the rights of our communities of faith, Aboriginal Canadians, and learning disabled children," readthe statement.

PC leadership candidateThomasLukaszuk was also quick to weigh in.

"My own views on human sexuality are on the record," he said. "I have been an advocate for individual rights, I have initiated ground-breaking projects to end homophobic bullying, I have supported Camp fYrefly and other programs for young people struggling with their own identities, I supported changes to Albertas birth certificate requirements for transgendered Albertans, and I voted in favour of gay-straight alliances. I am proud of this record."