Jason Kenney speaks to UCP members following his leadership review

By Gates Guarin

Smith: 'I'm going to run to win'

Reaction pouring in after Jason Kenney’s resignation

May 19, 2022 | 4:57 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – It was a bombshell announcement.

Despite narrowly winning his leadership review, Jason Kenney abruptly decided to resign as premier and leader of the United Conservative Party.

Former Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith wasted no time rolling out her leadership campaign.

“I’m going to run to win,” Smith says. “You never enter a contest thinking you’re going to come in second.”

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

3h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner

Dec 06, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

CHAT News producer makes 'emotional' return to Medicine Hat's old arena

Dec 06, 2024

Speaking with the media via Zoom on Thursday morning, Smith encouraged Albertans not to see her leadership bid as a continuation of her last political life. Smith says a lot has changed since 2015, stressing she is a mainstream conservative.

“You will find that my campaign is going to be centred around Alberta and putting Albertans first,’ Smith says.

When it comes to unifying the movement, Smith says she would love to see MLAs like Cypress-Medicine Hat’s Drew Barnes enter the race.

When asked if he plans on seeking the leadership, Barnes responded he is willing and able to serve, adding differences should now be set aside for the good of the party.

“I think it’s time for everybody to set aside the past and focus on the future, everybody to focus on Alberta families and free enterprise, and let’s make Alberta free and prosperous.” Barnes says.

In a statement, Barnes, who Kenney kicked out of caucus last year, did say he is prepared to rejoin.

Lori Williams is a political scientist at Mount Royal University in Calgary. She says whoever is chosen as the next leader will have the difficult task of trying to unite the party.

“Well the challenge is going to be to somehow manage those fractures that have erupted under Jason Kenney’s leadership,” Williams says. “It will take a skilled, visionary leader to do that. I don’t know that the upcoming election will be enough to bring people back together.”

The search for a new leader comes just over a year before the next provincial election. Since 2004, there have been seven premiers in Alberta, with NDP opposition leader Rachel Notley the one person to serve a full term. Notley says this is just a continuation of UCP turmoil.

“This UCP has been missing in action, they’ve been absentee and now they officially have to go into caretaker mode,” Notley said at an announcement Thursday.

It’s unclear when Kenney will officially step down, but another former Wildrose leader, Brian Jean, thinks an interim leader should be selected immediately so the healing process can begin with the party moving forward.