Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said he attended the Canada Strong and Free Networking Conference while he starts to consider his government’s next platform..If he survives his leadership review, Kenney will lead the United Conservative Party (UCP) into a provincial election in spring 2023..“I came down because, frankly, I'm starting to think about our next platform and there’s a lot of good speakers at the policy sessions here,” Kenney told the Western Standard on Thursday night..The premier also said it was great to reconnect with attendees, some of whom he hadn't seen in over two years. .The conference, held in Ottawa from Thursday to Sunday, was hosted by Canada Strong and Free, formerly known as the Manning Centre..On Friday night, five of the six Conservative leadership candidates — Roman Baber, Jean Charest, Pierre Poilievre, Scott Aitchison, and Leslyn Lewis — took to the stage for their first leaders’ debate..Only Patrick Brown declined to attend..The debate was moderated by Candace Malcolm, founder of conservative media site True North and Kenney's former press secretary, and Jamil Jivani, a Canadian radio host and author. .The debate was “feisty” and a “a lot more fiery” than he expected, Kenney said..“But I’m not here as a pundit, I’m just here as an observer,” he said..Kenney declined to endorse any of the candidates for Conservative leader..The next leaders' debate will be held in Edmonton on Wednesday. Conservative Party of Canada members will vote on a new leader on Sept 10..The result of Kenney's UCP leadership review will be announced on May 18.
