Jason Kenny speaks for the first time since resigning

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May 20, 2022 • 7 hours ago • 4 minutes reading • 93 comments Jason Kenny made remarks to the media and members of Alberta’s cabinet before the Calgary meeting on Friday. Photo by Jim Wells / Postmedia

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Prime Minister Jason Kenny said his government continued to work and fight for the Alberts in his first public comments, after announcing his resignation as leader of the United Conservative Party.

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Ahead of a cabinet meeting Friday morning, Kenny outlined the progress his government has made on a number of files and said he would continue to work until a new leader is elected.

“This is a demonstration that the Alberta government continues to do business with the people, continues to fight for this province, to work for a strong economy to make life better for Alberta,” Kenny said.

Kenny announced on Wednesday night that he intends to resign after receiving 51.4 percent support in a management review. However, UCP group chairman Nathan Neudorf issued a statement Thursday after a marathon six-hour meeting saying Kenny would remain in his current role until a new leader is elected. The moment when a new leader will be elected will be chosen by the party.

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On Friday, Kenny said Wednesday’s decision allows for continuity and for his government to focus on people’s priorities.

“This is a critical moment in Alberta’s history. We are determined to keep an eye on the ball, “he said.

The prime minister has not answered questions from reporters since announcing his intention to resign.

Laurie Williams, a political scientist at Mount Royal University, said that if you listen to Kenny, you will never know that last week’s events happened.

“Jason Kenny is focused on the things he has in his vision for the future of Alberta and probably Canada. That was probably his focus before he came to Alberta, “Williams said. “You’ll never know listening to this speech that Wednesday night.”

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Kenny has faced criticism inside and outside his party on a number of issues, including tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and allegations that he ignores the party’s broad masses.

Before entering the meeting on Thursday, a number of his critics in the UCP group called on Kenny to step down immediately and allow the interim leader to intervene.

Williams said the fact that the group meeting took six hours to decide whether Kenny would stay shows that divisions within the party remain strong. She said that the longer Kenny stayed, the angrier and probably louder his critics would become.

“We know that there are people who did not want to leave him inside, who will be angry today. These divisions will continue, regardless of who the next leader is. “

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Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche MLA Brian Jean, one of Kenny’s biggest critics who announced his desire to become a leader, declined to comment on Friday. Jean-Vitor Marciano’s spokesman issued a statement saying he would allow Albert residents and locals to absorb the “unusual events” of the past two days before commenting.

Chestermer-Stratmore MLA’s Leila Ahir, a former cabinet member, said the group’s meeting was much needed and a chance to reunite. She said the timing of any upcoming leadership race would have to be decided by the party, but added that she believed it should start as soon as possible.

“In order for each candidate to have a mandate and the ability to participate effectively in the next election, he must resume this leadership as soon as possible,” Ahir said.

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UCP spokesman Dave Prisco said the board met Thursday night to review the party’s statutes and determine next steps.

“The next task is to appoint a commission to select leaders, whose job will be to develop rules and procedures for the leadership race,” Prisco said. “This includes setting deadlines and entry fees, as well as other procedures based on existing rules in our regulations.

The next provincial election is scheduled for spring 2023. Ahir said he hoped the leadership race would give the party a renewed sense of hope and a chance to talk to local members ahead of the election.

1. Braid: Kenny’s quick resignation, which was not, threw UCP into another mess

2. Jason Kenny to remain UCP leader until a new one is elected

3. NDP chief Rachel Notley builds team as UCP team debates leadership

Meanwhile, former Wildrose leader Daniel Smith, a contender for the top spot in the UCP, said she believes the leadership race should be completed by September to allow the new leader to provide an update during the fall legislature and start working. for the next general election. She also called for a personal vote on leadership and all riding nominations to be suspended until a leader is elected.

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“The reason I mention these things is that these are things that an interim leader could influence, so some people think that maybe the current prime minister is not neutral enough to be able to navigate some of the they’re really hard things to navigate, “Smith said.

Kathleen Ganley, a critic of the NDP’s justice system, said the UCP is divided and is fighting internal conflicts instead of focusing on the problems facing the province.

“I think (Kenny) needs to focus on the people of Alberta and focus on answering questions from the media that can bring that information to the people of Alberta,” Ganley said. “I think he owes the people of Albert a better explanation for why his government is not focused on what they need.

dshort@postmedia.com

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