WS EXCLUSIVE: 30+ UCP constituency presidents agree to push for Kenney leadership review
“It was unanimous.”
on September 19, 2021
By Western Standard
A meeting of United Conservative Party constituency association (CA) presidents agreed unanimously to press for an early leadership review of Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, multiple sources tell the Western Standard.
On September 13, a regularly scheduled virtual meeting of the CA presidents was held with approximately 32 participants, according to several of the presidents who spoke with the Western Standard on condition of anonymity.
According to the sources, the presidents at the meeting agreed to commence the process of passing a special resolution at their local constituency association boards to initiate a leadership review no later than March 2022.
“Nearly all of them supported the motion for an early leadership review,” one of the sources said. “None of them explicitly spoke against it, and I believe that all of them are onboard right now.”
Another CA president told the Western Standard at the conclusion of the discussion “the individual chairing the meeting asked ‘Is there anyone opposed to an early leadership review prior to March 1?’ And nobody spoke up. It was unanimous.”
Facing a membership revolt earlier in the year, the party’s board announced in March Kenney would only face a leadership review in late 2022, just months before the legislated, fixed election period. Political observers at the time said it was a strategic move to improve Kenney’s chances of surviving the vote.
“The AGM of 2022 is way too late,” said one of the presidents. “We have to act now”.
One source said they recall the Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills president saying “My board will have no trouble passing this.”
A Western Standard exclusive on September 17 reported the Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills constituency association passed the resolution for an early leadership review by a vote of 27-1.
One source who spoke to the Western Standard said: “Some expressed concern we weren’t being told the truth about the previous motion’s passed for an earlier leadership review. We know there had been more than five [CAs] that had passed the earlier motion and sent it in [to the central board.] So we discussed that we would send the new motions to the provincial board and at least two other CAs to ensure they could not lie about what motions they had received.”
The UCP has not answered previous questions from media as to how many constituency associations had passed the first round of leadership review resolutions.
“Many CA presidents who were strongly opposed to an earlier review as recently as the early summer had come around to now back the motion,” said one of the presidents who spoke with the Western Standard.
Another president said “A number of CAs on the call still support Premier Kenney, but were concerned that the push for a leadership review had reached a fever pitch and that it was becoming such a huge distraction from government, and that it was better to just get it over with.”
“I wouldn’t know the breakdown [of those still supportive of the premier], because we didn’t get into that”.
In an exclusive interview with the Western Standard on September 17, Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills president Robert Smith said, “In talking to people, mainly rural people, it’s fair to say we have no confidence in the premier.”
While the letter was sent on the heels of controversial new COVID-19 lockdown restrictions introduced by Kenney—including the imposition of a vaccine passport—Smith stressed the letter wasn’t as a result of that, but had instead been brewing for months.
But he said those restrictions could help the momentum to reach the mark of 22 ridings needed to spark a leadership review.
Smith said he gets a sense in talking to other constituency association leaders “critical mass of 22 ridings could have been reached now.
“I feel confident in saying that target can now be met. I’m surprised it hasn’t been met before,” he said.
One of the biggest concerns for the board was when the infamous pictures were published of Kenney holding an outdoor dinner on the balcony of the “Sky Palace” in contravention of the government’s own laws, regulations, and guidelines.
“The entitlement and the double standard incensed the board,” said Smith, adding his board members were also disturbed by the government’s handling of the new curriculum for schools.
In another exclusive story, the Western Standard reported on September 18 the province-wide vice-president (policy) of the UCP sent an e-mail requesting an emergency meeting of the party’s central board to discuss an early leadership review.
Joel Mullan e-mailed the party’s board of directors at 8:33 pm MST September 17, under the subject line “Leadership review—request for meeting.”
“In light of events this past week, I believe we should meet and therefore request a meeting,” wrote Mullan, vice-president (policy) of the UCP.
“Specifically, I think we need to carefully consider the option of initiating a leadership review. I believe the future of our party may be at stake.”
The Western Standard spoke to a member of the party’s board of directors who received the e-mail who said—on condition of anonymity—a timely review of Kenney’s leadership has “become inevitable.”
Even earlier this week there were signs of dissension within the UCP Caucus.
During a tense meeting of caucus on September 15, three MLAs told Kenney they had “no confidence” in his continued premiership of the province and leadership of the party, multiple sources told the Western Standard.
Sources inside of the caucus told the Western Standard the emergency meeting saw sharp polarization around the issues of putting the province under another lockdown, a potential mandatory vaccine passport, and firing healthcare workers who did not agree to be vaccinated.
According to the MLAs who attended the caucus meeting, three MLAs openly told Kenney they had “no confidence” in him, and several others implied as much using softer language.
CTV News Calgary Video Journalist
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Published Sept. 19, 2021
CALGARY -
With many political watchers saying division is growing within United Conservative Party circles, some feel a leadership review could be on the way for Premier Jason Kenney.
“I think there is a pretty common sense in the party that they do not want Premier Kenney to lead the party into the next election,” said Lisa Young, a political scientist at the University of Calgary.
Following sweeping restrictions including rules around a proof of vaccination document announced by Kenney last week – the premier has received criticism from Calgary UCP MLA Richard Gotfried, saying the province did not act soon enough to implement new measures.
In addition, two former UCP backbenchers, sitting as independents have called for his outright resignation.
“There is deep division, it appears, inside the UCP caucus about what should be done about the COVID-19 situation,” said Young.
“Premier (Alison) Redford stepped down, but the caucus did not have the kinds of fundamental internal divisions that the UCP caucus has.”
Young believes if the UCP caucus was to vote on a no-confidence motion of Kenney’s leadership, it could cause further damage to the UCP brand.
“I think strategically for the party, they are far better leaving the premier in charge for the next number of months,” said Young.
“Let the premier take the fall for the situation we are in and then move forward with a new leader who can try and put things together, once the issue that is pulling the caucus apart has been resolved.”
Young suggests even if the premier loses a no-confidence vote that doesn't mean he's out immediately. Kenney could either continue to govern, step down, or recall the legislature, triggering a potential early provincial election.
“The premier might say, 'The caucus has no authority for me to step down as party leader,'” said Young.
“'I am premier and I will continue. We are in the middle of a crisis situation. This is no time to change government. I will simply continue,' and this buys him some time, until he has to bring the legislature back.”
A leadership review can be launched if at least 22 of the constituency ridings across Alberta call for one, or the party executive votes to hold one at anytime. Leadership reviews cannot take place in an election year, which is currently scheduled for 2023.
According to Postmedia, a board executive member has called for an early leadership review of Kenney.
CTV confirmed the details with that member, Joel Mullan, vice-president of policy, but he declined to comment further.
However, CTV has been told there is considerable agitation internally to press for an early leadership review. The party has not yet responded to our requests for comment.
United Conservative Party and Premier Jason Kenney’s office have been contacted for comment, but have not responded so far.
Author of the article:Edmonton Sun
Publishing date:Sep 19, 2021 •
TIME’S UP
If the UCP want to survive, there is no option but to turf Jason Kenney. He recklessly gambled a billion and half of taxpayers money on the Keystone pipeline, fully knowing the American election was akin to a coin toss. He has made Alberta a laughing stock with his handling of the pandemic. He delayed implementing adequate measures until after Calgary, Edmonton, and other municipalities started making their own rules to protect our health system. But then, Kenney flaunts his elitist attitude with his sky palace party to demonstrate masks and distancing don’t apply to him. He removed restrictions prematurely so he could brag about “the Best Summer Ever,” only so we could go to the precipice once again. With storm clouds on the horizon, Kenney was nowhere to be found as he was on vacation, and the pandemic could damn well wait for him. When he did resurface, his response was to offer $100 to the anti-vaxxers to change their mind, and declared Alberta would never implement a vaccine passport. With the Health system on the brink of collapse, Kenney does an about face and decides to implement a vaccine (sic) exemption program (to avoid calling it a vaccine passport). The UCP would be well advised to give Brian Jean or Danielle Smith a call.
DWAYNE SCHULTZ
(There is some grumbling from the UCP faithful.)
NO APPRECIATION
What’s with all these righteous people coming out and slamming everything UCP concerning the fourth wave after all of them enjoyed the maskless and all the other relaxed rules all summer?
MIKE SHAW
(Probably has something to do with record high hospitalizations.)
HUGE OVERSIGHT
Not sure those of us who are vaccinated or who will submit a negative PCR test are any safer under the new rules issued by the government. It appears that staff at these establishments is not required to follow these rules. This means our servers, the people who prepare our food and all other staff are not required to be vaccinated or have a negative test. How does this make sense?
J. HALLADAY
(It is a mind-boggling omission.)
Author of the article:Anna Junker
Publishing date:Sep 18, 2021 •
Article content
A senior United Conservative Party member has called for an emergency meeting to discuss an early leadership review of Premier Jason Kenney.
As first reported by the Western Standard, Joel Mullan, the party’s vice-president of policy, emailed the United Conservative Party board on Friday to discuss a review Kenney’s leadership.
When reached by phone Saturday, Mullan confirmed he wrote the email but declined to comment further, saying he is “not at liberty to discuss matters before the board.”
Political scientist Duane Bratt said this is a sign Kenney is in trouble, but he hasn’t realized it yet.
“I think Kenney thinks he can survive, but I’m not hearing much of that from other people, including conservatives who I have been talking to, they go, ‘He needs to step down for the good of the party.’ They’re just not willing to push him out.”
Kenney has been under fire from his own caucus this week after he announced sweeping new restrictions and a vaccine passport Wednesday night — two things the premier previously said he wouldn’t do. The measures include restrictions on indoor gatherings, businesses and events, with an option for businesses like restaurants and gyms to avoid restrictions if they require patrons to show proof of vaccination or a negative test.
Richard Gotfried, UCP MLA for Calgary-Fish Creek, said Wednesday he is “deeply apologetic” that he failed to convince the government to announce stronger public health restrictions sooner.
“Nothing was done while we lacked any leadership at the helm. It will cost us lives and I am gutted by the lack of responsiveness to unequivocal advocacy and clear warning signals,” he wrote replying to questions posted on Facebook.
In a Wednesday joint statement, former UCP MLAs Todd Loewen and Drew Barnes, sitting as Independents, called for Kenney‘s resignation.
With senior party membership indicating there should be a leadership review, Bratt said the UCP has realized they cannot go into an election with Kenney at the helm.
“They’re looking out for their own political survival,” Bratt said.
“I don’t think it matters if they change leaders, the UCP is still in trouble. But I think there’s enough UCPers that believe all they have to do is change leaders, the way it worked for the PC (Progressive Conservatives). They would change leaders, and they would just move on and win another election. I’m not sure this is the same circumstance.”
Currently, a leadership review for Kenney is scheduled to occur at the party’s Annual General Meeting in 2022.
Postmedia has reached out to Kenney’s office but has not received a comment.
— With files from Lisa Johnson
By Tom Vernon Global News
Posted September 17, 2021
The calls are growing louder for Premier Jason Kenney to be removed as leader of the United Conservative Party, and they aren't just coming from his political opponents. As Tom Vernon reports, some constituency associations are pressing for a leadership review.
After more than a year of frustration with Premier Jason Kenney’s leadership, the United Conservative Party constituency board in Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills has voted 27 to 1 in favour of launching a leadership review.
“We just feel like there is a disconnect from voters and grassroots, we feel that there is actually a disconnect within caucus and cabinet,” Rob Smith, the president of the constituency association, told Global News.
The motion seeks to hold the review no later than March 1, 2022, but Smith said ideally it would be held as soon as the UCP’s annual general meeting, which is scheduled to be held in November. The UCP constitution says a review would be triggered if 22 constituency associations across the province request one, and Smith said he knows other boards are discussing similar motions.
“Hopefully this time we’ll hit the 22 that is required.”
The board first considered the motion last winter, driven by a number of concerns with the premier’s leadership, ranging from what Smith called a lack of consultation on the curriculum redesign, to the handling of the relationship between the government and Alberta’s doctors and nurses.
READ MORE: New proposal eliminates some wage rollbacks for Alberta nurses as negotiations continue
Seeking cost savings, the UCP government unilaterally cancelled the master agreement with doctors just as the pandemic was hitting the province. The government has also been seeking wage cuts for nurses. Its most recent offer removed a request for a three per cent across the board wage rollback as the two sides head to mediation, but nurses could be in a position to hold a strike vote in a matter of weeks.
The conversation resumed in July, a month after pictures surfaced of Kenney, Health Minister Tyler Shandro, Finance Minister Travis Toews and Environment and Parks Minister Jason Nixon enjoying a meal together on the SkyPalace rooftop patio while pandemic restrictions were still in place.
READ MORE: ‘I regret that’: Kenney apologizes for Sky Palace dinner that broke COVID-19 rules
“A level of entitlement that my constituency association could not stand,” Smith said.
“Some of our board members, who were not as critical of Premier Kenney up to that point, absolutely felt as if that was the final straw.”
The UCP did not respond to a request for comment, while the premier’s office said Kenney is not concerned with partisan politics right now as he is focused on leading Alberta through the critical situation being driven by the fourth wave of COVID-19
© 2021 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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