Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney Resigns Legislature Seat

Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney Resigns Legislature Seat
Then-Alberta Premier Jason Kenney answers questions during a press conference as premiers meet on the final day of the summer meeting of the Canada's Premiers at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria, B.C., on July 12, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Chad Hipolito)
The Canadian Press
11/29/2022
Updated:
11/29/2022
0:00
Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney resigned as a member of the legislature on Tuesday, the same day his successor introduced her flagship sovereignty bill in the legislature, of which he had been a staunch critic.

In a signed letter posted on Kenney’s verified Twitter account, he says the resignation is effective immediately and that it has been a privilege to have represented the constituency of Calgary Lougheed since 2017.

“In the future, I hope to continue contributing to our democratic life by sharing some of what I have learned on a range of issues, including immigration, national security, Indigenous economic development, the state of the federation, economic growth, energy and much more,” Kenney wrote.
“But for now, I close with this reflection. Whatever our flaws or imperfections Canada — and I believe Alberta — are in many ways the envy of the world. This is not an accident of history.”
Kenney, also a former federal cabinet minister who spent 25 years in elected life, praised how matters are dealt with under Canada’s constitutional monarchy.

“But I am concerned that our democratic life is veering away from ordinary prudential debate towards a polarization that undermines our bedrock institutions and principles,” he wrote, decrying the far-left’s efforts to “delegitimize our history” and the far-right’s “vengeful anger and toxic cynicism.”

Kenney announced in May that he was quitting as leader of the governing United Conservative Party following a leadership review, and he was replaced by Premier Danielle Smith.
Kenney was a harsh critic of Smith’s sovereignty act proposal during the leadership race.