Kenney backbencher delivers blunt warning on ignoring party member concerns
A United Conservative backbencher is delivering a blunt warning to Alberta Premier Jason Kenney that his party is in trouble and needs to heed the growing concerns of its members.
“We have a caucus I think that is frustrated, and constituents that are frustrated, and of course membership,” Peter Guthrie said Tuesday in an interview.
“I just want what's best for the future of the party and what's best for the province and Albertans.
“I do feel that it can be (turned around), but we are 19 months to the next election, and we do need to start listening and paying attention to the signs that we're seeing and hearing.”
On Monday, Guthrie delivered the same message to Kenney, reading aloud in caucus a letter warning that the electoral fortunes of the party are sliding over the abyss.
“Public opinion continues to wane and we may be at a point where this party cannot be salvaged,” reads the letter.
“Winning back the favour of Albertans should be our priority.
“Humility and trust cannot be mere words.”
Guthrie declined to describe Kenney's reaction to his comments except to say, “Obviously, the premier defended his position.”
Kenney's office declined to comment.
Guthrie, in his letter, relayed particular concerns about a movement within the party to move up the date for a leadership review vote to determine whether Kenney still has their confidence.
If Kenney receives less than 50 per cent support in such a review, he is out.
The leadership vote is set for early April at the 2022 annual general meeting in Edmonton.
However, 22 constituency associations sent a letter to the party executive this week, noting they represent the required 25 per cent of boards needed to have the vote moved up to take place at a special meeting before March 1.
They say an earlier vote would allow all members to vote at home and not have to travel to Edmonton in April to cast a ballot.
They also acknowledge that for some of them, the move is driven by unhappiness over Kenney's leadership.
The UCP executive said they are now discussing the letter about moving up the leadership vote.
Guthrie noted that a resolution coming before the UCP's annual general meeting this weekend in Calgary seeks to amend bylaws to raise the threshold for such a motion to 29 constituency associations from 22.
The rationale is that 22 is too small a number to trigger such a potentially consequential vote.
Guthrie said a late motion to move the threshold sends a concerning signal from a party that claims to celebrate grassroots participation.
“It's going to look bad if they change it,” said Guthrie.
“If you move the goalposts from 22 to 29 CA's, I don't think the grassroots of the party are going to appreciate that.”
Kenney has declined to comment on an accelerated leadership review, saying the issue is up to the party.
The premier has faced rising discontent in his caucus and party in recent months tied primarily to his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cases spiked in the fall, pushing hospital capacity to the brink after Kenney lifted almost all health restrictions and announced the pandemic was over.
UCP fundraising has been trailing that of the Opposition NDP and Kenney's approval numbers have been in freefall.
He has also faced calls from some caucus members to resign.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 16, 2021
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE UPDATES Luigi Mangione arrested as 'strong person of interest' in killing of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson
New York authorities have identified Luigi Mangione as the 'strong person of interest' arrested in connection with the killing of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson.
Family spokesman says slain Edmonton security guard had only been working 3 days
A spokesman for the family of a security guard who police say was murdered while patrolling an Edmonton apartment building last week says the man had only been on the job for three days.
Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game
The Sask East Hockey League (SEHL) has released details of a near fatal accident at one of its games over the weekend – which saw a Churchbridge Imperials player suffer serious injuries after being struck with a skate.
Gang leader in Haiti accused of massacring older people to avenge son's death
A gang leader who controls a key port in Haiti's capital is accused of massacring older people and Vodou religious leaders in his community to avenge his son's death, according to the government and human rights organizations that estimate more than 100 killed.
GST break could cost Ottawa $2.7B if provinces don't waive compensation: PBO
The federal government's GST holiday would cost as much as $2.7 billion if provinces with a harmonized sales tax asked for compensation, the parliamentary budget officer said on Monday.
BREAKING Canadian government to table fall economic statement next Monday
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is set to table the federal government’s fall economic statement next Monday, the government announced today.
Hazardous conditions expected in some parts of Canada with weather warnings in effect
Hazardous conditions are expected in some parts of Canada this week.
BREAKING Suspect in killing of UnitedHealth executive in custody, New York mayor says
A 'strong person of interest' in the killing of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson outside a midtown Manhattan hotel last week is in custody, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said on Monday.
Police search for three men who escaped from immigration holding centre in Quebec
Authorities are searching for three Chilean nationals who escaped from the Laval Immigration Holding Centre north of Montreal.