UCP names Rajan Sawhney as candidate in Calgary-North West
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has named Rajan Sawhney as the UCP candidate in Calgary-North West for the upcoming election.
Sawhney is to replace Sonya Savage, who has served as MLA for Calgary-North West and as minister of environment and protected areas and minister of energy over the past four years. Savage announced last week she will not be seeking re-election.
Currently, Sawhney is minister of trade, immigration and multiculturalism and MLA for Calgary-North East.
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The UCP says in a statement it decided to appoint Sawhney after consulting with Savage and the local constituency association.
Smith previously noted she would be using one of her appointments under Section 8 of the UCP’s candidate selection process.
“It was important for me to sit down with the party and local constituency board, as I value their input,” Smith said. “I appreciate Sonya and Ward’s (constituency association president Ward Sutherland) support through this process, and I am confident Rajan will be a great candidate and member of the Calgary–North West team.”
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Sutherland says the board discussed the naming on Friday.
“Losing Sonya, a person who has been recognized widely for her professionalism and contribution to our province is always hard, but we understand her decision and we look forward to working with Rajan in the upcoming election,” Sutherland said.
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Michael Lisboa-Smith, the Alberta NDP candidate in Calgary-North West, welcomed Sawhney as the UCP candidate in a statement, saying the opposition party is looking forward for the election.
“I welcome Rajan Sawhney to the Calgary-North West race. I’m very proud to have been nominated by our local members in a competitive nomination, and our team has been on the doorsteps and out in the community for the past six months,” Lisboa-Smith said.
“I know many folks will be asking why Rajan Sawhney is appointed the UCP candidate in our community after she declined to contest the UCP nomination in the riding she currently represents.
“My focus is on offering Albertans a stable, competent and caring government led by Rachel Notley. We will connect a million Albertans with a family doctor, get families’ monthly bills under control, and build a resilient jobs economy.”
The UCP says candidate vacancies in Grande Prairie – Wapiti and Lethbridge – West will be filled through appointments in advance of the writ, according to the government’s statement.
