Local members say Alberta PC leadership vote will determine party’s future
CALGARY — After nearly one full year of campaigning, the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta will have a new leader.
The party is gathering in Calgary starting today for its leadership convention. Former Conservative Party MP Jason Kenney, Vermillion-Lloydminster MLA Richard Starke and Calgary lawyer Byron Nelson are running to replace Interim Leader Ric McIver.
Local members of the party say the weekend is of utmost importance for the future of the party.
“From my perspective, it’s a make-or-break weekend, in terms of what direction we’re going to go,” said Bill Grady, past-president of the PC Party’s constituency association. “Depending on if Mr. Kenney gets to be the leader, he wants to go one direction, and others in the party – and I’m one of them – don’t want to go that way. We’d rather stay the course where we’re at.”