The Weekly Roundup-August 15, 2022
Out of the 4 million-plus Albertans in the province, the Alberta Liberal Party was unable to find a single person willing to put their name forward to lead their party. The deadline to apply came and went on Friday, leaving the future of the party uncertain.
Much of the focus this week was on a truly horrendous lapse in judgment from two Jackies in the UCP caucus - Associate Minister of Status of Women Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk and parliamentary secretary to the Associate Minister of Status of Women Jackie Lovely. The two MLAs were the two person judging panel that awarded third place to a racist and sexist essay in an essay contest meant to inspire young women.
Below, you’ll find a summary of recent activity in the UCP leadership race and other government announcements.
UCP Leadership Race Tracker
We’ll be using this section to apprise you of any major platform announcements, endorsements or other items of note related to leadership contestants. You can click through to their websites using the hyperlinks below.
Membership sales are now complete, so the focus of the leadership race now changes to garnering the most efficient vote and down ballot support for the candidates, a tricky balance that requires not alienating other campaigns. As New West Public Affairs Partner Matt Solberg outlined to Global News, the membership numbers are also a good indicator of how excited members are for the leadership race and will be compared against the number of memberships sold in the 2017 leadership race once released.
Leela Aheer: Aheer issued a news release stating that her priorities would be addressing issues in the healthcare system, ensuring the education system meets the needs of all Albertans, addressing the needs of the vulnerable and working towards paying off the debt.
Brian Jean: Jean said that he would take a day or two post membership sales deadline, and be back on Monday with phase 2 of his campaign, entitled “policy and persuasion”.
Todd Loewen: In his final push for membership sales, Loewen touted his willingness to speak out about the UCP government’s mistakes, attending the so-called Freedom Convoy in Ottawa and opposing vaccine mandates.
Rajan Sawhney: Sawhney offered her alternative to Smith’s proposed Sovereignty Act, which Sawhney has called irresponsible legislation.
Danielle Smith: In his radio show, Premier Kenney called Smith’s proposed Sovereignty Act “nuts” and said that it runs the risk of making Alberta the laughingstock of confederation. Meanwhile, Smith continues to pick up caucus endorsements, including cabinet ministers Nate Glubish, Kaycee Madu and former cabinet minister Devin Dreeshan.
Rebecca Schulz: Schulz has released more substantive policy and campaign promises, including doorknocking in every riding, hiring more education assistants and issuing a letter to health care workers.
Travis Toews: Toews said that if Premier, Alberta would take control over gun licensing from the federal government and re-released his plan to make life more affordable for Albertans.
Government of Alberta Announcements
A pilot project of a designated industrial zone in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland aims to reduce red tape and streamline regulatory approvals.
Alberta Innovates has removed almost 60 per cent of unnecessary red tape to support businesses and entrepreneurs.
Interested parties have until December to submit proposals to bring highway rest areas one step closer to construction.
An external examination into how Alberta Crown prosecutors disclosed medical examiner reports in 16 criminal cases has found that no miscarriages of justice took place.
Upcoming Events Calendar
August 30, 2022: Official UCP Leadership Debate (Edmonton)
September 10, 2022: New CPC Leader announced
October 6, 2022: New UCP Leader announced
October 21-23, 2022: UCP AGM at River Cree Resort
October 31, 2022: Alberta Legislature Session resumes