The co-founder of the Alberta-ruling United Conservative Party has officially launched his campaign to become the next leader, saying it is essential for the party to get back on track by listening to the people and fighting for a better agreement in the Confederacy.
“Our leadership seemed right and arrogant: they told us to do something while they acted as if the rules didn’t apply to them, sitting around serving Jameson whiskey on the balcony of the Sky Palace,” said Brian Jean to 150 supporters Wednesday in an Edmonton. hotel.
“Unnecessary fights were chosen with the daily Albertans who are fundamental to our rural and small town communities: our doctors, nurses and teachers.
“We run the risk of the anger of everyday Albertans returning us to the acute wrath of an NDP government.”
Jean said his platform is based on keeping Alberta a proud Confederate province, but working hard to get better performance on issues such as equalization payments.
Autonomy for Albertans is the central theme of his campaign, Jean said, adding that the time to start is right now.
“Imagine with me for a moment all the improvements we can make in Canada beyond fixing the equalizer,” he said.
“We can fix the imbalances in political representation. We can make sure that no province can stop another from selling its goods and services to the rest of the world. We can fix the inadequate funding of health care.”
Jean, a former Conservative MP, left politics in 2018, but returned and won a by-election in Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche in March.
He presented a platform to overthrow Kenney as prime minister, saying his policies and government were alienating Albertans and paving the way for an NDP victory in the 2023 provincial election.
Kenney announced he would resign a month ago after gaining only 51% support in a review of party leadership.
Jean is one of eight candidates who have announced that they will run for office, which will see a new leader and prime minister, elected on October 6.
Alberta Prime Minister Jason Kenney is speaking in response to the results of the review of the leadership of the United Conservative Party in Calgary on Wednesday. Kenney has resigned as leader of the United Conservative Party. (Dave Chidley / The Canadian Press)
Three left Kenney’s office in recent days to run: Rebecca Schulz, Travis Toews and Rajan Sawhney.
Another former Wildrose leader, Danielle Smith, is also featured.
UCP MP Leela Aheer, who was fired from Kenney’s cabinet in 2021 after criticizing her response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is also looking for the main job, as independent Todd Loewen , who was voted out of Kenney’s caucus more than a year ago by publicly calling for Kenney to stop dating.
The final candidate is Bill Rock, mayor of the town of Amisk.
On Twitter Wednesday night, Calgary Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner said she was considering a candidacy.
“I will make my decision based on the conversations I have with the people I represent, the Albertans,” he wrote.