The seven candidates vying for the UCP leadership. (Photo Courtesy Gates Guarin)

By Gates Guarin

Candidates jockey for support amidst first UCP leadership debate

Jul 27, 2022 | 11:26 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The first UCP leadership debate is officially in the books, with a packed house getting their very first look at the ideas and campaign platforms from the seven candidates vying to be the next leader of the United Conservative Party.

The nearly two-hour debate covered topics ranging from the economy and health care, to party unity and the relationship with the federal government. The debate took place in front of a capacity crowd at the HALO hangar, and provided the audience with plenty to think about.

The first half of the debate heavily featured former Wildrose party leader and perceived front-runner Danielle Smith going on the defensive, as she was grilled several times by former transportation minister Rajan Sawnhey on comments she made regarding responsibility for early-stage cancer is within a patient’s control.

“There are so many more options if you diagnose early, then you can treat early, and that’s what I was trying to say, albeit very awkwardly,” Smith says. “But it’s in that vein that is why I proposed health spending accounts.”

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Part of Smith’s campaign is to propose a $300 health spending account for Albertans, but Sawhney believed Smith’s explanation to be disingenuous.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not buying it because you made a subsequent video where you actually doubled down on your perspective, and the reality is, is that those comments are very hurtful to any Albertan, any Canadian who has lost somebody with cancer.” says Sawhney.

Smith countered, saying former cabinet ministers running for the leadership owe an apology to Albertans over COVID mandates, which received a raucous applause from the gallery.

“When we look at what happened over the last two years of COVID lockdowns, and I haven’t heard any apology from any of the cabinet ministers who imposed that on us for the last two years, I’d like to see an apology there.”

On the topic of the relationship with the federal government, Smith again had to defend her campaign promise of instituting a provincial sovereignty act; this time, from the rest of the candidates.

Former finance minister Travis Toews says a sovereignty act would cause economic hardship for the province.

“A Sovereignty Act, the way it is proposed, would ultimately bring a lack of predictability and uncertainty in this province that would drive investment out.” says Toews, adding Albertans are ‘delusional’ if they believe a sovereignty act would be passed.

Former children’s services minister Rebecca Schulz also added fuel to the fire.

“What you’re doing right now is writing checks you can’t cash and making promises you can’t keep,” Schulz says. “That Sovereignty Act that you are running on, Ms. Smith, is a great fear for our energy industry.”

While he did not outright endorse a provincial sovereignty act, Independent MLA Todd Loewen said more action is needed on Ottawa.

“Confederation is broken,” Loewen says. “We can’t have any more strongly worded letters, we need to act. Asking hasn’t worked, when we call, nobody answers. We need to start saying ‘no’ to Ottawa.”

Sawhney and former Wildrose leader Brian Jean echoed the former cabinet ministers, with Sawhney saying “nothing about the sovereignty act makes sense”, and Jean adding the act is a “fiscal fairytale”.

The second half of the debate primarily featured the other two perceived front-runners in Toews and Jean, trading barbs on party unity and leadership.

When Toews questioned Jean on his alleged divisiveness within the conservative movement, Jean fired back.

“The truth is, all of these decisions that you made while you were in cabinet, a senior member of cabinet, hurt Albertans, made us distrust government,” Jean says.

On the topic of energy, former culture, multiculturalism and the status of women minister Leela Aheer made sure the host city was acknowledged.

“In this awesome city, you guys started a hydrogen task force in, I believe it was 2021. That task force has taken light and has grown with the government,” Aheer says. “The opportunities to see what zero-emissions would look like, every single large company, corporation, energy company is looking at zero-emissions right now.”

The official party membership cutoff is scheduled for Aug. 12, after which the second official party debate will take place in Edmonton on Aug. 30. Members will then vote on the next party’s leader, which will be announced in Calgary on Oct. 6.