MLA Leela Aheer is in the race to replace Premier Jason Kenney as leader of the United Conservative Party (UCP)..The MLA for Chestermere-Strathmore is the sixth candidate to enter the contest..“The entire leadership race for me is about regaining Albertan’s trust. We owe that to people,” said Aheer who made her announcement Tuesday on the Ryan Jespersen show, a left-leaning digital talk show..“We owe them the opportunity to be able to get in front of them and explain to them who we are, and to be able to be truthful about the mistakes that have been made, because there’s been plenty. I think that happens with any party,” she said..Aheer was shuffled out of her cabinet post as minister of culture, multiculturalism and status of women in 2021 after blasting Kenney for holding a Sky Palace patio dinner violating stringent COVID-19 restrictions he imposed on Albertans..Speculation that Aheer, a fierce critic of Kenney, would enter the race has prevailed for some time..“This was on her radar for a long time until she was absolutely sure she should,” Chestermere-Strathmore Constituency Association (CA) President John Kittler told the Western Standard..Kittler and board members were reinstated in May after being overthrown and replaced by a new Kenney-friendly board at a January 8 meeting..“Leela is relentless in the number of events she goes to, and she talks to people constantly. Who would have a better finger on the pulse of what Albertans are these days?” said Kittler..“People for various reasons, their lives were disrupted by COVID, felt oppressed by government on all levels.”.“Well, there was someone who was willing to stand up for them and take the heat. While others were just dead silent.”.“Not that people should have revolted against Kenney, but it seems like all the other MLAs were just quiet. Nobody would say anything about anything.”.Aheer was first elected as a Wildrose Party MLA in 2015. She won a second term in 2019 under the UCP banner..Former Alberta Finance Minister Travis Toews officially kicked off his leadership campaign Saturday backed by 23 of the 63 UCP MLAS. .The UCP MLA for Grande Prairie-Wapiti, part of Kenney’s inner circle, appealed for unity and extended a “call home” to members who feel “disenfranchised.”.Independent Central Peace-Notley MLA Todd Loewen who was ejected from caucus for criticizing Kenney and Amisk Mayor Bill Rock also filed paperwork with Elections Alberta last week..Former Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith launched her leadership campaign, but hasn’t yet registered with Elections Alberta..UCP MLA for Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche Brian Jean, said he intends to run, but has yet to register. He is also a former Wildrose Party leader,.The leadership race follows Kenney’s May 18 announcement that he would resign after earning just 51.4% in a UCP leadership review. .Kenney said he’ll step down when the new leader has been chosen..A 12-member leadership election hasn’t released details of the race, including when the election will be held.
