First Alberta UCP leadership debate takes place in Medicine Hat

All seven United Conservative Party (UCP) leadership candidates are squaring off Wednesday in Medicine Hat in the first official debate of the campaign.

The person elected as the next UCP leader will also be premier until the next provincial election, set for May 29, 2023.

Former Kenney cabinet ministers Travis Toews, Rajan Sawhney, Leela Aheer, and Rebecca Schulz have all tossed their hats into the ring, as have MLAs Brian Jean and Todd Loewen, as well as former Wildrose leader Danielle Smith.

Related articles: 

• UCP leadership candidate Danielle Smith slammed over cancer misinformation

• Does the truth still matter in Alberta politics?

• What does a UCP without Jason Kenney mean for Alberta?

This is the only leadership debate scheduled before Aug. 12, which is the cut-off for UCP members to sign up to vote in the leadership race.

A lot of concern has been raised as several candidates have shared misinformation throughout the leadership race.

Does the truth still matter in Alberta politics?

Several UCP candidates have made false claims, misrepresented facts, and denied science. @StaySaif finds out if these cases of misinformation will help or hurt the candidates. #cdnpoli #abpoli #ableg #

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Jean and Smith have misrepresented a proposed federal emissions cap as a mandated cut on energy production, several candidates have shared anti-COVID vaccine and anti-science rhetoric, and Smith recently came under fire for making claims about controlling cancer while interviewing a naturopath on her podcast.

The debate will be moderated by former Calgary city councillor and current CEO of the Prostate Cancer Centre Jeff Davison.

The vote to select a new UCP leader will be held on Oct. 6.

Promises

Candidates have already revealed some of their proposed policies ahead of the first debate:

Inflation and high gas prices

Sawhney has promised, if elected, monthly cheques of $75 or more to help people deal with high oil prices and inflation. Meanwhile, Jean wants to put a temporary cap on price margins at the pumps to try and lower the cost of gas.

This comes as prices at the pump have skyrocketed in recent months, amid record inflation across the country.

Healthcare

Toews and Schulz say they’ll create incentives to attract more people into the healthcare sector if they’re successful.

Smith wants to introduce a $300 health savings account for alternative services that are not covered by insurance policies.

The debate begins at 5 p.m.

Stay with CityNews 660 for the latest from the first UCP leadership debate. Follow us on Twitter @CityNewsCalgary and @StaySaif for the latest.

With files from the Canadian Press