A New Premier Comes to Town!
“Today we start putting Alberta First!!Alberta, thank you for the trust you have placed in me. I am incredibly honoured to be your Premier and will work hard everyday to serve you. Our best days are ahead,” Danielle Smith celebrated her win as leader of the United Conservative Party (UCP) of Alberta, and Alberta’s new premier, taking over from Jason Kenney.
Jason Kenney was a charismatic politician who built good relationships with multicultural communities, going to the houses of community members to campaign across the province, and appointing a Black MLA to multiple senior ministerial positions.
Although an effective campaigner, Kenney’s governance was not so smooth, failing in efforts to eliminate the federal carbon tax, could not renegotiate the equalization formula, and build pipelines to tidewater, a failed promise that frustrated many UCP members, coupled with his handling of COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta.
Danielle Smith, who famously crossed the floor, while leading her Wildrose Party to join the Progressive Conservative Party, has re-invented herself through hosting a radio talk show, and taken Alberta by storm, drowning six other candidates to win with about 54% of about 85K votes cast, after six rounds of voting.
Alberta’s new premiere, Daniel Smith promised to fashion a strategy on Alberta First, with key pieces such as the Alberta sovereignty act, which she has promised will be her first priority as premier.
We will keep you updated if there’s any change in the government make up as a new premier comes to town.
