UCP members pick a new leader on Thursday, turning the page on a triumph-turned cautionary tale that saw Kenney's philosophy and management style crash head-on into a once-in-a-generation catastrophe.
To fight slurs on oil and gas, Kenney spent millions to create a “war room” that delivered a parade of gaffes, including a public fight with a children’s cartoon about Bigfoot.Kenney launched a $2.5-million public inquiry into foreign funding of domestic green groups fighting Alberta’s oilsands. It never held an inquiry in public, went over time and over budget, and determined the funding was relatively modest and totally legal.
Those divides had started before the election, when Kenney promised his UCP would be run by and for the members, but then at the party’s founding convention in 2018 told reporters “I hold the pen” on what will and won’t be policy.The UCP won in 2019 on the strength of rural votes, said political scientist Duane Bratt. But when Kenney picked his first cabinet, it was Calgary-centric, leaving disgruntled backbenchers seething in silence, poised to push back when things went south.
He announced Alberta was open for good in late spring of 2021, with all restrictions to be lifted earlier than the rest of Canada in a “Best Summer Ever” campaign. There were hats with that slogan and tweets at naysayers: “The pandemic is ending. Accept it.” The gig was not going well. Poll numbers were in free fall. UCP backbenchers openly questioned the restrictions — and Kenney.Alohagate: a bunch of Kenney caucus members ignored calls to stay home over Christmas to avoid the spread of COVID-19 and jetted off to sunny climes while Albertans shivered at home under strict gathering limits.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The gig is up: Alberta Premier Jason Kenney set to step down from top jobDon’t cry for me, Alberta, I was leaving anyway.
Read more »
The gig is up: Alberta Premier Jason Kenney set to step down from top jobEDMONTON — Don’t cry for me, Alberta, I was leaving anyway.
Read more »
UCP leadership race in Alberta focuses on COVID-19 grievances and vaccine skepticismAlberta Premier Jason Kenney lost his job in large part due to party displeasure over COVID-19 measures, and those same grievances are defining the UCP leadership race to replace him
Read more »
Photos: 2022 Truth and Reconciliation Day in North VancouverPostmedia photographer Jason Payne attended a march to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in North Vancouver Friday. Several hundred…
Read more »
FLAMES SNAPSHOTS: Goalie Dan Vladar solid in pre-season loss to host OilersEDMONTON — Dan Vladar spent the off\u002Dseason diving into a things\u002Dto\u002Ddo list given to him by Calgary Flames goaltending coach Jason LaBarbera.
Read more »
FLAMES SNAPSHOTS: Goalie Dan Vladar solid in pre-season loss to host OilersEDMONTON — Dan Vladar spent the off\u002Dseason diving into a things\u002Dto\u002Ddo list given to him by Calgary Flames goaltending coach Jason LaBarbera.
Read more »