Tory MP Michelle Rempel Garner says she’s considering a bid for leadership of Alberta’s United Conservative Party (UCP).
In a series of tweets on June 15, Rempel Garner said she is stepping away from her role as
campaign co-chair of Patrick Brown’s federal Conservative leadership campaign so that she can focus her attention on Alberta.
“Alberta is—and always has been—my top priority. Today, I can confirm that I am giving a provincial leadership bid serious consideration. I owe it to Albertans to give this critical decision my full and complete attention,” she
said.
“I will make my decision based on the conversations I have with the people I represent—Albertans.”
Rempel Garner, who represents the riding of Calgary Nose Hill,
said the decision to run for UCP leadership should not be “taken lightly by anyone.”
“With cost of living spiraling out of control and a federal Liberal govt hostile to Alberta’s interests, picking a leader who can defeat their NDP allies in next year’s provincial election is critical,” she
said.
“Our province needs hope, a positive vision for the future, and a Conservative leader who can inspire Albertans and win.”
In response to Rempel Garner’s announcement, Brown thanked her for contribution to his campaign thus far in a Twitter post.
“I want to wish my friend Michelle Rempel Garner the best as she embarks upon deliberations on her future. She has served Canada well and will continue to serve in whatever role is next. We’ll miss you Michelle, but thanks for your contribution to our campaign,” he
said on June 16.
The list of candidates to replace Premier Jason Kenney as leader of the UCP currently stands at eight, including UCP MLAs Rebecca Schulz and Travis Toews, who stepped down from their posts as cabinet ministers to join the race. MLA Rajan Sawhney also resigned as transportation minister to join the leadership bid.
Other contenders include UCP MLA Leela Aheer, who lost her cabinet post in 2021 after criticizing Kenney’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with former Wildrose leader
Danielle Smith who announced her candidacy on May 19.
Brian Jean, who recently won a
byelection in the riding of Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche, is also joining the leadership race.
Former Wildrose candidate
Bill Rock entered the race on June 3. Rock is the mayor of Amisk, a village of 206 people 220 kilometres southeast of Edmonton.
Todd Lowen, backbench member for Central Peace-Notley constituency, announced his leadership bid on June 7. He sits as an independent MLA after being voted out of the UCP caucus in May 2021 for urging Kenney to resign.
On June 14, the UCP announced the
rules and procedures for the leadership contest to be held on Oct. 6.
“To enter the contest, an applicant must submit a comprehensive questionnaire that will be reviewed by the Leadership Election Committee, together with a $150,000 entrance fee to cover the cost of organizing the election, and a $25,000 refundable compliance deposit,” the party
said on its website.
“Applicants must also provide a nomination petition with at least 1,000 signatures of Party members, with 200 from each of the Party’s five provincial regions.”
The
deadline to submit the application and the first installment of the entry fee is July 20.
Kenney
announced on May 18 that he was stepping down after receiving 51.4 percent support in a leadership review by party members. He is staying on until his replacement is chosen.
The Canadian Press and Noé Chartier contributed to this report.
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