Government staffers working in Premier Jason Kenney’s office, along with ministerial employees, have been told to take at least three days of unpaid leave this week to campaign for his leadership review vote, scheduled for April 9 in Red Deer..The directive was sent in an e-mail to the personal addresses of employees from Christopher Thresher, press secretary for Justice Minister Tyler Shandro..Thresher’s March 13 e-mail said staff is asked to take three days off between March 14 and March 20 and work the phones for two hours a day..He said it’s hoped 15 staffers a day would be making calls..“This is an easy and inexpensive way to contribute,” said Thresher, in the e-mail posted online by The Breakdown..“Many of your colleagues have stepped up and offered to help, a few people, for whatever reason, have not..“The next week is critical and it will be important to have people calling.”.Kenney’s office defended the move..“It is not uncommon for political staff to volunteer or take time off for political purposes. Any government staff volunteering on political campaigns during work hours are required to take vacation time,” Kenney press secretary Justin Brattinga told the Western Standard..The UCP members’ leadership review of Kenney is set for April 9 in Red Deer..The Special General Meeting was called after 24 UCP constituency associations (CAs) demanded an early review of Kenney’s leadership. A total of 22 (CAs) was needed to force the vote..The discontent seemed to mainly come from grassroots members upset with Kenney’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kenney brought in numerous lockdowns and a vaccine passport, even though he vowed never to do so..In the last two weeks, the UCP party disqualified two strong grassroots members from running in nomination meetings to try and unseat Kenney loyalists..Kenney’s UCP has been mired in the polls for months now, about 20 points behind the NDP. If the political landscape stays the same, the NDP would form a majority government in the 2023 election..The UCP drama took another twist Tuesday night with Kenney, with Brian Jean winning the riding for the party in a byelection in Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche..Jean ran on a platform saying he would work within the caucus to try and remove Kenney..… more to come.Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
Government staffers working in Premier Jason Kenney’s office, along with ministerial employees, have been told to take at least three days of unpaid leave this week to campaign for his leadership review vote, scheduled for April 9 in Red Deer..The directive was sent in an e-mail to the personal addresses of employees from Christopher Thresher, press secretary for Justice Minister Tyler Shandro..Thresher’s March 13 e-mail said staff is asked to take three days off between March 14 and March 20 and work the phones for two hours a day..He said it’s hoped 15 staffers a day would be making calls..“This is an easy and inexpensive way to contribute,” said Thresher, in the e-mail posted online by The Breakdown..“Many of your colleagues have stepped up and offered to help, a few people, for whatever reason, have not..“The next week is critical and it will be important to have people calling.”.Kenney’s office defended the move..“It is not uncommon for political staff to volunteer or take time off for political purposes. Any government staff volunteering on political campaigns during work hours are required to take vacation time,” Kenney press secretary Justin Brattinga told the Western Standard..The UCP members’ leadership review of Kenney is set for April 9 in Red Deer..The Special General Meeting was called after 24 UCP constituency associations (CAs) demanded an early review of Kenney’s leadership. A total of 22 (CAs) was needed to force the vote..The discontent seemed to mainly come from grassroots members upset with Kenney’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kenney brought in numerous lockdowns and a vaccine passport, even though he vowed never to do so..In the last two weeks, the UCP party disqualified two strong grassroots members from running in nomination meetings to try and unseat Kenney loyalists..Kenney’s UCP has been mired in the polls for months now, about 20 points behind the NDP. If the political landscape stays the same, the NDP would form a majority government in the 2023 election..The UCP drama took another twist Tuesday night with Kenney, with Brian Jean winning the riding for the party in a byelection in Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche..Jean ran on a platform saying he would work within the caucus to try and remove Kenney..… more to come.Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
