An expected vote of no-confidence in Alberta Premier Jason Kenney by members of the United Conservative Party Caucus failed to materialize today, several sources tell the Western Standard..Several UCP MLAs told the Western Standard a day earlier that there was an intention of bringing a no-confidence motion against Kenney, prompting the premier to dump Tyler Shandro as minister of health..“Most of us agree Shandro is incompetent and must go, but he was acting under orders directly from Kenney,” one MLA said..“It looks pathetic and is only designed to stave off a vote of no-confidence from the caucus tomorrow [September 22].”.But expectations that the motion would be brought forward appear to have been jumping the gun. Sources in the UCP told the Western Standard that several MLAs were “read the riot act” before the meeting, and that the no-confidence motion was never introduced..The quieter than expected caucus meeting comes less than 24 hours after MLA and former minister Leela Aheer demanded that Kenney resign in an interview with the Calgary Herald’s Don Braid..“The only thing that should have happened today is that the premier says he had failed and is stepping down.”.Later that night, the Western Standard published an exclusive story that country music star George Canyon would be running for the presidency of the UCP on a platform of triggering an earlier leadership review of Kenney..Several sources in the party told the Western Standard Canyon will make the announcement this week..The UCP will hold its annual general meeting November 19-21 at the Grey Eagle Resort, where members present will elect a new board of directors for the party..Dozens of grassroots UCP constituency associations have joined forces to call for an early leadership review of Kenney. The party currently has one scheduled in late 2022, only six months before the next provincial election..UCP VP of policy Joel Mullan wrote an open letter in the Western Standard Tuesday that called for Kenney to go immediately..“My responsibility is to look at the reality —not wish it away — and take the necessary steps to protect the health care system,” Kenney said..“Let’s deal with those things at the right time, after this crisis.”.He said any move to hold a leadership race now would be “grossly irresponsible.”.Kenney was asked if the internal turmoil in the UCP was what led to the resignation of Shandro..“I am focused on getting through the fourth wave of COVID, not politics,” Kenney said..“We have to protect the health care system to prevent needless deaths — we will not allow politics to distract us.”.Kenney may not go so easily however. .One UCP MLA says Alberta Premier Jason Kenney would rather “blow up” the government than admit he was wrong about COVID-19 and resign..The MLA, who spoke to the Western Standard on the condition of anonymity, made the comment prior to the Tuesday afternoon Kenney cabinet shuffle.
An expected vote of no-confidence in Alberta Premier Jason Kenney by members of the United Conservative Party Caucus failed to materialize today, several sources tell the Western Standard..Several UCP MLAs told the Western Standard a day earlier that there was an intention of bringing a no-confidence motion against Kenney, prompting the premier to dump Tyler Shandro as minister of health..“Most of us agree Shandro is incompetent and must go, but he was acting under orders directly from Kenney,” one MLA said..“It looks pathetic and is only designed to stave off a vote of no-confidence from the caucus tomorrow [September 22].”.But expectations that the motion would be brought forward appear to have been jumping the gun. Sources in the UCP told the Western Standard that several MLAs were “read the riot act” before the meeting, and that the no-confidence motion was never introduced..The quieter than expected caucus meeting comes less than 24 hours after MLA and former minister Leela Aheer demanded that Kenney resign in an interview with the Calgary Herald’s Don Braid..“The only thing that should have happened today is that the premier says he had failed and is stepping down.”.Later that night, the Western Standard published an exclusive story that country music star George Canyon would be running for the presidency of the UCP on a platform of triggering an earlier leadership review of Kenney..Several sources in the party told the Western Standard Canyon will make the announcement this week..The UCP will hold its annual general meeting November 19-21 at the Grey Eagle Resort, where members present will elect a new board of directors for the party..Dozens of grassroots UCP constituency associations have joined forces to call for an early leadership review of Kenney. The party currently has one scheduled in late 2022, only six months before the next provincial election..UCP VP of policy Joel Mullan wrote an open letter in the Western Standard Tuesday that called for Kenney to go immediately..“My responsibility is to look at the reality —not wish it away — and take the necessary steps to protect the health care system,” Kenney said..“Let’s deal with those things at the right time, after this crisis.”.He said any move to hold a leadership race now would be “grossly irresponsible.”.Kenney was asked if the internal turmoil in the UCP was what led to the resignation of Shandro..“I am focused on getting through the fourth wave of COVID, not politics,” Kenney said..“We have to protect the health care system to prevent needless deaths — we will not allow politics to distract us.”.Kenney may not go so easily however. .One UCP MLA says Alberta Premier Jason Kenney would rather “blow up” the government than admit he was wrong about COVID-19 and resign..The MLA, who spoke to the Western Standard on the condition of anonymity, made the comment prior to the Tuesday afternoon Kenney cabinet shuffle.
