Former Alberta minister for children's services, Rebecca Schultz, who recently stepped down from her ministerial position to run for the leadership of the UCP party, launched her election campaign on Tuesday..Calgary's Lake Chaparral Residents' Association was host to Schultz' launch with press and supporters early in the afternoon..Schultz is one of four former UCP Cabinet ministers who have now resigned their positions to compete for the party leadership position following Premier Jason Kenney's resignation in late May. Kenney will steer the UCP ship until a new leader is elected in the fall..Ward 13 Councillor Dan McLean opened the proceedings and introduced Schultz saying "Rebecca is the hardest worker I know," and that she "has always put the conservative movement first."."She doesn't pretend to have all the answers but she does go straight to Albertans to hear their stories," McLean said as he introduced Shultz..On stepping up to the mic, Shultz thanked all in attendance and immediately acknowledged the City of Calgary's state of emergency and expressed her worries for the region's agricultural sector saying that although farmers had been hoping for rain, the havoc being wrought by the spring rainstorm deluge in the province was concerning..The former minister quickly identified the subjugation of the NDP as her first political objective.."I want to be very clear. My first and foremost goal — if I have the honour of leading this great party — is uniting our party and defeating the NDP in the next election. I'm proud and grateful to be be part of such an amazing team," she said. "I will knock on thousands of doors ... I will make phone calls, I will do everything possible to make sure this province does not go backwards with the NDP."."I truly believe that this is absolutely the best province in the country to live, to work, and to raise a family. That's why my husband and I are raising our family right here in Calgary. I love Alberta because it is a place of hope and opportunity — a place of promise, the promise that if you work hard, you can chart your own path."."That is why I will fight to defend our constitutional rights in this country. We cannot let Ottawa call the shots, stifle economic growth, trample on our freedoms and the entrepreneurial spirit of the hardworking women and men who built this province, and are still building it today."."It's time to stop talking and start doing. It is time to get Alberta back on track. We don't need a Conservative leader for the next election — we need a strong Conservative leader for the next generation."."We need to get Alberta Conservatives on the same page where freedom, a strong economy, and fiscal responsibility are at the heart of our party," she said..The Western Standard asked the leadership hopeful if she would share her thoughts on the high price of the UCP's $175,000 leadership contest registration fee.."I believe that the party and the committee who were working very hard on these rules came up with this to ensure there is trust and rigour in in the process. Obviously this is a very important leadership race as we will come out of this race and head right into to a general election. And so I trust them to make this decision — to make sure that there is rigour and accountability in the process,” she responded..Asked if she thought her campaign would be able to raise funds for the large fee, Schultz seemed confident.."I'm very excited about this campaign. I think things are looking up. Things are off to a great start and that will not be a barrier.".Schultz is in the running with seven other contenders in the election: Leela Aheer, Brian Jean, Todd Loewen, Bill Rock, Rajan Sawhney, Danielle Smith, and Travis Toews..UCP voters will be able to cast their ballot at five polling stations across the province on October 6. The deadline for UCP members to register for the leadership election is July 29.
Former Alberta minister for children's services, Rebecca Schultz, who recently stepped down from her ministerial position to run for the leadership of the UCP party, launched her election campaign on Tuesday..Calgary's Lake Chaparral Residents' Association was host to Schultz' launch with press and supporters early in the afternoon..Schultz is one of four former UCP Cabinet ministers who have now resigned their positions to compete for the party leadership position following Premier Jason Kenney's resignation in late May. Kenney will steer the UCP ship until a new leader is elected in the fall..Ward 13 Councillor Dan McLean opened the proceedings and introduced Schultz saying "Rebecca is the hardest worker I know," and that she "has always put the conservative movement first."."She doesn't pretend to have all the answers but she does go straight to Albertans to hear their stories," McLean said as he introduced Shultz..On stepping up to the mic, Shultz thanked all in attendance and immediately acknowledged the City of Calgary's state of emergency and expressed her worries for the region's agricultural sector saying that although farmers had been hoping for rain, the havoc being wrought by the spring rainstorm deluge in the province was concerning..The former minister quickly identified the subjugation of the NDP as her first political objective.."I want to be very clear. My first and foremost goal — if I have the honour of leading this great party — is uniting our party and defeating the NDP in the next election. I'm proud and grateful to be be part of such an amazing team," she said. "I will knock on thousands of doors ... I will make phone calls, I will do everything possible to make sure this province does not go backwards with the NDP."."I truly believe that this is absolutely the best province in the country to live, to work, and to raise a family. That's why my husband and I are raising our family right here in Calgary. I love Alberta because it is a place of hope and opportunity — a place of promise, the promise that if you work hard, you can chart your own path."."That is why I will fight to defend our constitutional rights in this country. We cannot let Ottawa call the shots, stifle economic growth, trample on our freedoms and the entrepreneurial spirit of the hardworking women and men who built this province, and are still building it today."."It's time to stop talking and start doing. It is time to get Alberta back on track. We don't need a Conservative leader for the next election — we need a strong Conservative leader for the next generation."."We need to get Alberta Conservatives on the same page where freedom, a strong economy, and fiscal responsibility are at the heart of our party," she said..The Western Standard asked the leadership hopeful if she would share her thoughts on the high price of the UCP's $175,000 leadership contest registration fee.."I believe that the party and the committee who were working very hard on these rules came up with this to ensure there is trust and rigour in in the process. Obviously this is a very important leadership race as we will come out of this race and head right into to a general election. And so I trust them to make this decision — to make sure that there is rigour and accountability in the process,” she responded..Asked if she thought her campaign would be able to raise funds for the large fee, Schultz seemed confident.."I'm very excited about this campaign. I think things are looking up. Things are off to a great start and that will not be a barrier.".Schultz is in the running with seven other contenders in the election: Leela Aheer, Brian Jean, Todd Loewen, Bill Rock, Rajan Sawhney, Danielle Smith, and Travis Toews..UCP voters will be able to cast their ballot at five polling stations across the province on October 6. The deadline for UCP members to register for the leadership election is July 29.
