UCP caucus chief Todd Loewen resigns as Jason Kenney's troubles mount in Alberta
The veteran backbencher posted a letter early Thursday thanking Kenney 'but am asking that you resign so that we can begin to put the province back together'
RESIGN AND CALL AN ELECTION CAUSE YOU AND YOUR PARTY CANNOT GOVERN
Author of the article: Tyler Dawson
Publishing date: May 13, 2021 •
UCP member Todd Loewen has written to Premier Jason Kenney: 'I know that many Albertans, including myself, no longer have confidence in your leadership'. PHOTO BY PETER SHOKEIR / POSTMEDIA NEWS
EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, who has faced internal dissent over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, has now received the first serious call from a United Conservative Party caucus member to resign as premier.
Todd Loewen, a veteran backbencher who represents the northern Alberta riding of Central Peace-Notley, posted a letter addressed to Kenney in the early hours Thursday morning. A long-time Wildrose Party MLA before the conservatives united, Loewen also stepped aside as UCP caucus chair.
“I know that many Albertans, including myself, no longer have confidence in your leadership,” the letter says. “I thank you for your service, but am asking that you resign so that we can begin to put the province back together again.”
Just weeks ago, Kenney faced a shocking show of internal dissent when 17 of his 63 MLAs signed an open letter denouncing another round of COVID-19 public-health measures. Loewen was among the signatories.
Loewen’s letter doesn’t specifically mention COVID-19 measures, although there is discontent about that across Alberta, including within Loewen’s own riding, which, incidentally, is named after NDP leader Rachel Notley’s father. The riding has been home to so-called “freedom rallies” calling for an end to COVID-19 restrictions.
Loewen points to Kenney’s “ineffective” handling of a “hostile federal government,” negotiations with the province’s doctors, and the botched plan to allow coal exploration on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains as sources of “caucus dysfunction.”
“Messaging from your government has been contradictory, confusing, and needlessly inflammatory,” the letter says.
Still, Loewen does nod to the pandemic, by obliquely mentioning the compliance issue the province has with people not following COVID-19 rules.
“When the Premier chooses not to listen to caucus, is it any wonder why the people choose to stop listening to the government?” the letter says.
In the past, Kenney has welcomed dissent within the ranks of his caucus, saying that they welcome debate.
But the latest drama is further evidence of the growing internal strife for the United Conservatives, a reality that has caused trouble for Kenney for months.
More to come …
EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, who has faced internal dissent over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, has now received the first serious call from a United Conservative Party caucus member to resign as premier.
Todd Loewen, a veteran backbencher who represents the northern Alberta riding of Central Peace-Notley, posted a letter addressed to Kenney in the early hours Thursday morning. A long-time Wildrose Party MLA before the conservatives united, Loewen also stepped aside as UCP caucus chair.
“I know that many Albertans, including myself, no longer have confidence in your leadership,” the letter says. “I thank you for your service, but am asking that you resign so that we can begin to put the province back together again.”
Just weeks ago, Kenney faced a shocking show of internal dissent when 17 of his 63 MLAs signed an open letter denouncing another round of COVID-19 public-health measures. Loewen was among the signatories.
Loewen’s letter doesn’t specifically mention COVID-19 measures, although there is discontent about that across Alberta, including within Loewen’s own riding, which, incidentally, is named after NDP leader Rachel Notley’s father. The riding has been home to so-called “freedom rallies” calling for an end to COVID-19 restrictions.
Loewen points to Kenney’s “ineffective” handling of a “hostile federal government,” negotiations with the province’s doctors, and the botched plan to allow coal exploration on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains as sources of “caucus dysfunction.”
“Messaging from your government has been contradictory, confusing, and needlessly inflammatory,” the letter says.
Still, Loewen does nod to the pandemic, by obliquely mentioning the compliance issue the province has with people not following COVID-19 rules.
“When the Premier chooses not to listen to caucus, is it any wonder why the people choose to stop listening to the government?” the letter says.
In the past, Kenney has welcomed dissent within the ranks of his caucus, saying that they welcome debate.
But the latest drama is further evidence of the growing internal strife for the United Conservatives, a reality that has caused trouble for Kenney for months.
More to come …
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