From candidate to premier-designate: What happens after the UCP picks a new leader today?
Alberta's United Conservative Party is announcing a new leader Thursday night to replace Jason Kenney.
Seven people are running to lead the UCP: Danielle Smith, Travis Toews, Brian Jean, Rebecca Schulz, Rajan Sawhney, Leela Aheer and Todd Loewen.
The winner will become premier-designate until they are sworn in as premier by the lieutenant-governor at Government House in Edmonton.
The premier-designate will create a transition team and appoint key personnel, such as a chief of staff and press secretary, MacEwan University political science associate professor Chaldeans Mensah told CTV News.
Mensah told CTV News the premier-designate would likely be sworn in in about a week, in a ceremony where they would also announce their cabinet.
WHAT HAPPENS IF SMITH WINS?
Beyond the usual process, things will look different if Smith wins — since she is the only candidate who does not hold a seat in the legislature.
Smith would have to call a byelection to be able to sit in the house.
"I'm sure there will be a number of MLAs that are not gonna run…so she'll get an opportunity to put her name forward," Mensah said.
"She cannot be in the house until she gets a win in a byelection, so that has to be priority number 1. She can call that very quickly, in about a month or so after she's sworn in."
Mensah believes it would be "safer" for Smith to run in southern Alberta to make sure she gets her seat.
"It would be a contest for her to run a Calgary byelection," he said. "I'm very confident that if she wins, there will be a couple of retirements announced very quickly."
If Smith becomes leader, Mensah believes she could decide to prorogue the upcoming parliamentary session and call a new one, which would include a throne speech where she would outline her priorities.
A meeting with caucus would also be important, particularly for Smith, Mensah added.
"For Smith, the meeting with caucus is significant, as she has to address problems of unity, explain her plans regarding the Sovereignty Act and other policy ideas, and get buy-in from the caucus in terms of her direction for the party."
The new leader is expected to be announced after 7:30 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.