Links to the Breadcrumb trail
- Local news
The former finance minister says he has received approvals from 23 current MLAs, including Energy Minister Sonia Savage
Publication date:
June 4, 2022 • 15 hours ago • 3 minutes reading • 48 comments United Conservative Party candidate Travis Tows officially launches his campaign at Stampede Grounds Rotary House with family, friends and supporters in Calgary on Saturday , June 4, 2022 Photo by Darren Makovichuk / Postmedia
Content of the article
Former Finance Minister Travis Toyus officially launched his candidacy for the leadership of the United Conservative Party in Calgary on Saturday, while garnering numerous endorsements from MPP meetings, including support from Energy Minister Sonia Savage as co-chair of his campaign.
Advertising 2
This ad is not yet loaded, but your article continues below.
Content of the article
Toews announced its intention to run earlier this week and held a small event at home, driving the Grande Prairie-Wapiti, before officially launching its campaign at the Rotary House at Stampede Park in Calgary. Along with the former minister who resigned from the cabinet to start his campaign, there were supporters who included a number of current MPs and cabinet ministers such as Tyler Shandro and Jason Luan.
Toews has announced it has received approvals from 23 current MLAs, including Savage, who will co-chair his campaign with federal MP Chris Workentin.
“Five years ago, the Alberta mass movement came together under one banner, focusing on common principles, responsible fiscal governance, individual freedom and limited governance. “Friends, our great conservative movement needs to refocus on the values that unite us, rather than on the issues that divide us,” Tows told a crowd full of longtime conservative insiders dressed in suits as well as people in cowboy hats and boots. .
Advertising 3
This ad is not yet loaded, but your article continues below.
Content of the article
The race for a new UCP leader began last month after incumbent Prime Minister Jason Kenny announced his intention to resign after receiving just over 51 percent support in a leadership review. Kenny will remain prime minister until party membership elects a new leader.
Travis Tows, pictured with part of the UCP group that supports him, including Energy Minister Sonia Savage, Justice Minister Tyler Shandro and Community and Social Services Minister Jason Luan. Photo by Darren Makovichuk / Postmedia
Toews is one of five people currently registered with Elections Alberta as a candidate for the UCP leadership. Other names include Brian Jean and Daniel Smith, two former Wildrose Party leaders who are critical of Kenny. Toews is seen as part of the prime minister’s inner circle. Todd Lowen, an independent MLA who was ousted from the UCP by Kenny, is also running. Bill Rock is the fifth contestant.
The MLA Grande Prairie-Wapiti was part of the province’s emergency management committee during the COVID-19 pandemic and was seen drinking a drink on top of the so-called Sky Palace with Kenny during the pandemic.
Advertising 4
This ad is not yet loaded, but your article continues below.
Content of the article
Asked for the first time since announcing his campaign for the party’s top position on Saturday, Toews said he was different from Kenny because he was from the province of Alberta and had not spent much time in public office. He was elected for the first time in 2019.
He said he was a “straight shooter” who did not spend time on political drama. Toews did not name Kenny in a speech to supporters, but said the government had made “mistakes” over the past three years and “mischaracterized” party members.
Kenny has previously been criticized for calling some people who disagree with him “lunatics.” He has also been widely criticized for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic inside and outside the UCP.
“I sat around the cabinet for emergencies and the decisions are ultimately trusted by the cabinet, I will not ignore this process. But look, I’m from rural Alberta, I’m from the private sector, we own a cattle farm, you can probably predict what position, what perspective I brought around this table, “Tows said.
Advertising 5
This ad is not yet loaded, but your article continues below.
Content of the article
Savage said he did not think it was fair to criticize Tows for taking the same approach to politics as Kenny. She said he was not a career politician and called him modest and genuine.
“He has 11 grandchildren for whom he has to leave a good province, so he is the real deal,” Savage said.
She said that in order to lead a party, you need the support of the party and that the fact that nearly two dozen people in the UCP group support him is a strong endorsement of his leadership.
“If you are to be united, you need the support of your colleagues and the people you work with,” Savage said.
dshort@postmedia.com
Share this article on your social network
Advertising 1
This ad is not yet loaded, but your article continues below.
Sign up to receive daily headlines from the Calgary Herald, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.
By clicking on the register button, you agree to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300
Thank you for registering!
Welcome email is on the way. If you don’t see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of the Calgary Herald headlines will be in your inbox soon.
There was a problem registering with you. Please, try again
Comments
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civic discussion forum and encourages all readers to share their views on our articles. It can take up to an hour to moderate comments before they appear on the site. Please keep your comments up to date and respectful. We have enabled email notifications – you will now receive an email if you receive a response to your comment, there is an update on the thread for comments you follow, or if a user you follow comments on a comment. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.
Add Comment