UCP 'unpopularity' hurt Conservative candidates: MP Cooper
The “unpopularity” of Alberta’s UCP government hurt conservative candidates in Monday’s election, according to an experienced Edmonton-area MP.
Conservative Party candidate Michael Cooper held onto his seat in St. Albert but acknowledged he heard a lot of anger from voters about the UCP and Premier Jason Kenney while he was door knocking.
The UCP has trailed the NDP in numerous Alberta polls for much of 2021.
“It had an impact. We have seen a little bit of a drop in the capital region and I think that’s attributable to, frankly, the unpopularity of the provincial government,” Cooper said in an election night interview with CTV Edmonton.
“That was expected. I heard it at the doors. We also had a little bit of bleeding to the PPC.”
CPC vote share in the province fell by about 10 per cent, and the party lost one seat in Calgary and is at risk of losing two more in close Edmonton races.
Federal conservatives still dominated the province they usually win though - capturing at least 30 seats and about 55 per cent of votes in Alberta.
Cooper secured his third straight election victory, defeating the NDP’s Kathleen Mpulubusi by about 11,000 votes.
Kenney - a supporter of Erin O’Toole - was quiet on social media Monday, not posting anything about the election.
Cooper said Albertans will get a chance to address their provincial concerns in 2023, the next scheduled election.
As for his party leader - Cooper dodged a direct question about whether O’Toole should stay on, or resign.
“We’ve got to look at the results across the country, but I think we ran a good national campaign and had a good national result,” Cooper said.
Races involving incumbent Conservative MPs James Cummings and Kerry Diotte were still undecided Monday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
BREAKING Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Honda expected to announce Ontario EV battery plant, part of a $15B investment
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Honda executives are expected to announce today that the Japanese automaker is building an electric vehicle battery plant in Alliston, Ont., part of a $15-billion investment.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.