Alberta politicians react to UCP’s Jason Kenney’s resignation

Political leaders across the country are weighing in on Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s decision to step down after receiving a narrow margin of approval in his leadership review Wednesday.

NDP leader Rachel Notley took to Twitter to thank Jason Kenney for his public service saying “there are obviously many things about which we don’t agree, but that doesn’t negate the time and sacrifice that goes into taking on the role of premier.”

I want to thank Jason Kenney for his public service.

There are obviously many things about which we don’t agree, but that doesn’t negate the time and sacrifice that goes into taking on the role of Premier.#ableg #yyc #yeg #abpoli

— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) May 19, 2022

Notley also commented on Kenney’s resignation at an election-like news conference earlier on Wednesday afternoon.

She says the Alberta NDP seems ready for the next election following news of Kenney’s departure as UCP leader.

Notley showcased a handful of candidates ready to run next spring in the election, which is supposed to happen about a year from now.

But the opposition leader isn’t concerned about who the next leader is and thinks infighting over leadership in the UCP will be another distraction.

“Yesterday’s news is the starting gun for more chaos and more distraction,” said Notley.

“It doesn’t really matter who ultimately is leading them into the next election. The fact is that they got a record and I’ll put mine against that one anytime,” said Notley.

Related Article: Jason Kenney to remain Alberta premier until new UCP leader chosen by party

Notley says the party has already nominated more than 20 candidates and expects to have candidates in every riding by this fall.

“We didn’t have a government focused on governing for months and months and months leading up to yesterday. And now I suppose what’s changed is we know definitely that we won’t have that for months and months and months going forward,” said Notley.

“And that probably would have been the case no matter what happened yesterday. This UCP has been missing in action, they’ve been an absentee and now they officially have to go into caretaker mode,” said Notley.

Notley adds that she seems content to let the United Conservative Party fight over who will be the next leader.

“The UCP has a record that has quite frankly let Albertans down. And most recently it’s best summed by the fact that they’re so incapable of coming together that they haven’t been showing up to work for months,” said Notley.

Related Article: Danielle Smith, Brian Jean to run for UCP leadership as Kenney resigns

Former UCP and now independent MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat, Drew Barnes, and vocal critic of Jason Kenney says it’s time for new leadership in the party.

“The most important thing today is for Jason Kenney to leave. For Jason Kenney to follow through on what he said last night, what he clearly said, he didn’t have the mandate and respect of Albertans,” said Barnes.

“Three years ago he got 55 per cent of Albertans to vote in favor of him, now he can’t get 52 per cent from his own small club. it is time for him to go away,” said Barnes.

Comments came from Ottawa as well, while heading into a cabinet meeting on Thursday, prime minister Justin Trudeau wished Kenney the best in his next endeavors.

“I want to recognize that Jason Kenney served his community, his province, his country for many years. I wish him the very best in whatever next steps he takes on,” said Trudeau.

Kenney’s decision to step down came as a surprise to many, now the question remains, who will be the next leader of the UCP party.