National

UCP leadership race gears up after Alberta's Kenney announces resignation

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 19 May, 2022 10:23 AM

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is to meet with his United Conservative caucus in Calgary today to determine next steps after he announced he is stepping down as leader.

Kenney said yesterday it was time to leave after he received 51 per cent support in a party leadership review.

Kenney did not provide specifics and there are conflicting reports on whether he will step aside as premier immediately or stay until a new leader is chosen.

Some reports say Kenney has not ruled out running in the upcoming race.

Kenney’s main critic in caucus, Brian Jean, told reporters heading into the meeting that Kenney needs to leave immediately and an interim premier must be chosen.

Jean says that needs to happen so the party can heal divisions and move forward.

Jean is one of two former leaders of the Wildrose Party, which merged with the Progressive Conservatives to form the UCP in 2017, to signal leadership intentions. He lost to Kenney in the inaugural UCP leadership race.

Danielle Smith, a radio host following her stint in provincial politics, has said the leadership results show the UCP is hungry for a leader who will fight for Alberta's interests. She was scheduled to speak to reporters Thursday.

Kenney's resignation reverberated in Ottawa, where he previously served as a cabinet minister in former prime minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

One man dead following police-involved shooting

Vancouver police say they were responding to an alleged assault inside an apartment near Commercial Drive and Fifth Avenue. There was an exchange of gunfire with a man in his 40s and Const. Tania Visintin says the man died.

One man dead following police-involved shooting

Nearly 1,000 troops denied vaccine exemptions

The Canadian military says nearly 1,000 members have been denied exemptions from the military's COVID-19 vaccine requirement. Vice-chief of the defence staff Lt.-Gen. Frances Allen says more than 1,300 members of the Canadian Armed Forces requested exemptions for medical or religious reasons.

Nearly 1,000 troops denied vaccine exemptions

Sunwing party flight passengers fined $59,500

Omar Alghabra's office says 42 tickets were issued, including 18 for non-compliance with vaccination requirements and 24 for violations of masking rules.

Sunwing party flight passengers fined $59,500

Vancouver's empty homes tax to jump to 5 per cent

Councillors have unanimously backed a motion from Mayor Kennedy Stewart to hike the empty homes tax to five per cent of a property's assessed value, effective next year.

Vancouver's empty homes tax to jump to 5 per cent

Richmond RCMP warn public of fake taxi / debit card scam

The unsuspecting victim then provides the driver with a debit card to pay for the transaction electronically. The driver then claims the tap function on his electronic payment machine does not work. He then takes the victim’s card, pretends to make a transaction, has the victim put in their PIN number, and gives a bogus card back to the victim.

Richmond RCMP warn public of fake taxi / debit card scam

Four people arrested at Boundary Road & Grandview Highway demonstration

Several demonstrators left the area upon police arrival; however, one man and three women, including one who glued herself to the road, were arrested for Mischief and Intimidation by blocking or obstructing a highway.