Alberta PC leadership hopefuls give one final push for votes
Calgary, Alta. - The three men vying to secure leadership of the Alberta Progressive Conservative party made one final push for delegate votes Friday during the opening night of the leadership convention.
Launching off the weekend was former Conservative MP and confident assumed front-runner Jason Kenney, who continued to tout his message of unity.
“Albertans want to unite. They want some hope, they want us to fix a broken political system and I believe Progressive Conservatives are going to decide in favour of unity and our future this weekend,” he said after rolling up to the Telus Convention Centre in none other than his iconic blue “Unity Truck” backed by a wall of well-organized supporters.
Kenney, who entered the race in July before it officially kicked off in October 2016, has been running on a mandate of unity, seeking to merge the PC's with the Wildrose Party to form one united conservative coalition, in an effort to quell a second term for Rachel Notley and her NDPs when the 2019 election rolls around.
“The New Democrats aren’t bad people, they just have bad ideas,” he later said.
His competitors, Vermilion - Lloydminster MLA Richard Starke and Calgary lawyer Byron Nelson, are painting a different picture for the future of the PC’s, aiming instead for a revitalization of the century-old party.
“My plan maintains the party that has provided good government for the province for over forty years and it also provides Albertans with a choice that is both fiscally conservative and socially progressive, which I believe is most reflective of the majority of Albertans,” Starke told reporters earlier on Friday.
Starke has said the move down a path towards unity would be risky — an idea shared by Nelson.
Earlier in the day while speaking with media, Nelson said there was "no sugarcoating it. It will be one heck of a complicated process,” if Kenney emerges victorious Saturday night.
“I’m running to win, but if that happens, I will be as helpful as I can to the process and hope that traditional PCs like myself have a strong voice in whatever goes forward,” Nelson added.
Later in the night, each candidate took to the podium in an attempt to garner last minute support from the nearly 1,700 eligible to vote and expected to attend the first delegated convention in 32 years.
Kenney eased into his speech by presenting Alberta as an inclusive strong province, drawing people from all across the globe to “this place of hope and opportunity.” This before a launch into an attack on the NDP and their failed policies of socialism — receiving cheers.
Starke presented himself as the steady hand needed to move forward. He referenced his loyalty to the party throughout its historical reign and stunning defeat in 2015 that ended the 40-plus year PC dynasty.
“I never walked away. I stayed and I worked, because that’s what leaders do,” he said to the crowds. “I wouldn’t leave then and I won’t leave now. You will have to pry my Progressive Conservative membership card out of my cold dead hands.”
Nelson echoed Starke's apprehensions with unity — though neither named Kenney outright — saying it could serve the NDP's an easy shot at re-election.
“Their best shot at a second term is to call an election when we conservatives have our collective pants down,” Nelson said. “I want what is best for Alberta, not by duct taping two political parties together but renewing, rebuilding right here, right now the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta.”
Kenney’s agenda for unification has been met with open arms by Wildrose Party Leader Brian Jean. However, Jean has placed an asterisk on the merger, saying if it were to go ahead, it must be under his party’s legal framework.
In a video message released Friday afternoon, Jean extended an open invitation to whoever becomes the new leader of the PC party to meet Monday.
“That the idea of a united conservative movement must be more than the quickest path to power, but must serve the best interests of current and future generations,” Jean said. “We will be open and transparent every single step of the way, and ensure your vote, your voice, holds the final decision.”
Kenney was confident his campaign had lured in support of a majority of delegates up for grabs. Starke and Nelson admitted they would need to scoop up some last minute delegates in order to win. Despite, each hinted at a possible overturn of the assumed outcome, with both noting anything can happen at delegated conventions.
When interim PC leader Ric McIver and Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta President Katherine O’Neill took to the podium, they urged members to rally behind whoever may be elected leader.
“I ask you all to stand behind the next leader of our party,” O’Neill said.