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

Crews search water off Nanaimo, B.C., for man

Police say they were called Monday evening to a report that a woman had fallen overboard and a vessel from the Nanaimo Port Authority found her clinging to a rope tied to an anchored sailboat. But police say the man, who is believed to be the woman's 59-year-old partner, has not been seen.

Crews search water off Nanaimo, B.C., for man

Arrest made in the death of International Indian student Kartik Vasudev

The man arrested is 39 years old Richard Jonathan Edwin, who was also charged with another homicide last Saturday. He is described as a Black male who is about 5'6 to 5'7 feet tall with a medium build.

Arrest made in the death of International Indian student Kartik Vasudev

Feds signal change on skills training spending

The head of the Canadian Labour Congress expressed worries on Tuesday that labour groups could be left out of talks over a federal pledge to let workers access skills training programs before they become unemployed.

Feds signal change on skills training spending

Multi-home owners hold up to 41% of stock: StatCan

The data from the Canadian Housing Statistics Program, which includes both residential and recreational holdings, reveals multiple-property ownership accounted for 41 per cent of Nova Scotia's housing stock, 39 per cent of New Brunswick's, 31 per cent of Ontario's and 29 per cent of British Columbia's.

Multi-home owners hold up to 41% of stock: StatCan

B.C. coroner wants action on safer drug supply

Lisa Lapointe says urgent action is needed to decriminalize small amounts of drugs for personal use and to provide more people with a safer supply of substances that would replace the profit-driven illicit market.

B.C. coroner wants action on safer drug supply

Four injured in Vancouver fire out of hospital

Shops, restaurants and businesses were heavily damaged below the 89-room Winters Hotel on the building's upper floors, which is overseen by Atira Property Management and provided housing for 71 residents.