Barry Morishita on his 2023 provincial election campaign

By Lisa Parent

Barry Morishita resigns as Alberta Party leader

Nov 10, 2023 | 4:18 PM

BROOKS, AB – The Alberta Party is on the hunt for a new leader, after former leader Barry Morishita has announced his resignation.

“We (The Alberta Party) just couldn’t pull together the resources required to mount a good campaign and you need money and people to do that,” says Morishita. “As the leader, I failed to meet that expectation and we have to move on from that.”

Morishita served as the Mayor of Brooks in 2016, and took over the Alberta Party in 2021, serving for two years. The Alberta Party was unable to secure a seat in the 2023 provincial election.

While there are personal reasons for his resignation, Morishita also says the party needs a fresh face to move forward. Despite this, Morishita says he doesn’t regret running in the last election.

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“I think our approach was genuine. It was honest and transparent. I think we conducted ourselves with a lot of integrity when it came to the issues,” explains Morishita. “We didn’t personally attack people, we stuck to that. You know, I think that’s one of the things I’m proud of.”

Right now, Morishita is doing contract work with Saskatchewan municipalities, but is still living part time in Brooks. He has no interest in pursuing elected office in the near future.