By Chris Brown

Michaela Frey resigns MLA post, hopes Danielle Smith will run in Brooks-Medicine Hat

Oct 7, 2022 | 10:13 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The UCP’s Michaela Frey submitted her letter of resignation as MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat this morning and is encouraging new United Conservative Party Leader Danielle Smith to run in the riding.

“It is my dear hope that Premier-Elect, Danielle Smith, chooses to run in Brooks-Medicine Hat,” she writes in a letter to constituents and posted to social media.

“Danielle’s vision will breathe new life into our region, putting us on the map for investors and exciting opportunities. Danielle has won the leadership of our party, building a broad coalition of Albertans and garnering support across the province – I hope that she will be able to count on your support as well.”

Frey’s letter also states that in the days to come constituents will likely be going to the polls to elect a new MLA.

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Smith spoke to media this morning in Edmonton, saying she is looking at running in the seat vacated by Frey, who told CHAT News that Smith has indicated she’ll be in Medicine Hat on Saturday to meet with her and the constituency board.

“I mean the premier needs a seat in the legislature, there’s no question about that,” said Frey. “She has an ambitious agenda that I want her to be able to get accomplished and so for me having indicated that I wasn’t going to run in the next election anyway, I think it’s good for Brooks-Medicine Hat to have that kind of a spotlight on it and there’s no better way to not be the forgotten corner anymore you know as we like to say in Brooks-Medicine Hat than having the premier represent the riding.”

Smith won the party leadership on Thursday without a seat in the legislature and will need to win one in a byelection soon.

The former Wildrose Party leader won on the sixth ballot with 53.77 per cent of the vote, beating former finance minister Travis Toews, who got 46.23 per cent.

“I’m back,” Smith said to start her speech.

In late September, Frey announced that she would not be seeking re-election. In today’s letter to constituents she thanks her constituency team, volunteers, caucus colleagues and family. She was first elected as Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA in 2019.

“I grew up in Medicine Hat, it’s my home and I don’t ever plan to leave if I’m being honest,” Frey said. “It’s been such an honour to get to know people on this level and form these relationships.”

Mara Nesbitt of Brooks has announced her intention to seek the United Conservative Party’s nomination. Former Brooks mayor and current Alberta Party Leader Barry Morishita and the NDP’s Gwendoline Dirk have already been nominated by their parties.

More to come…