Sask. premier calls Jason Kenney's resignation a 'loss'
Sask. premier calls Jason Kenney's resignation a 'loss'
Saskatchewan’s premier says Jason Kenney’s resignation from his post in Alberta is a “loss.”
The Alberta premier announced he would be stepping down on Wednesday, after a slim majority of approval was revealed following his United Conservative Party (UCP) leadership review.
“Jason Kenney is a very, very strong leader. He’s achieved a number of things he set out to achieve in a very short period of time, on behalf of Albertans,” Premier Scott Moe said following Question Period Thursday.
“This is a loss of a good leader, and an individual that has been a very, very capable and competent politician for decades now, and I wouldn’t think that we’ve seen the last of Jason Kenney by any stretch.”
Kenney received 51.4 per cent approval from UCP members. Exactly 34,298 members voted in the review.
"While 51 per cent of the vote passes the constitutional threshold of a majority, it clearly is not adequate support to continue on as leader," Kenney said Wednesday.
"I'm sorry, but friends, I truly believe that we need to move forward united. We need to put the past behind us, and a large number of our members have asked for an opportunity to clear the air through a leadership election."
Moe and Kenney were two of five Canadian Conservative politicians featured on the cover of a 2018 issue of MacLean’s magazine titled “The Resistance” that focused on their fight against the Liberal government’s carbon tax plan.
The group also included Ontario Premier Doug Ford, former Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister and former Conservative Party of Canada Leader Andrew Scheer.
Moe said he does not expect significant changes to carbon tax policy in Alberta when the UCP elects a new leader.
“If there’s a change of leadership within the UCP party in Alberta, I don’t think that changes the policy with respect to carbon taxation, regulations around getting their product to market and most certainly I don’t think the policy changes at all,” Moe said.
Moe thanked his friend in a tweet on Wednesday, shortly after Kenney made his announcement.
With files from CTV News Edmonton
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Russia strikes Kyiv as Western leaders meet in Europe
Russia shattered weeks of relative calm in the Ukrainian capital with long-range missiles fired toward Kyiv early Sunday, an apparent Kremlin show-of-force as Western leaders meet in Europe to strengthen their military and economic support of Ukraine.

Trudeau mocks 'bare-chested horseback riding' Putin as G7 leaders meet in Germany
Russian President Valdimir Putin was a target of mockery by leaders of the Group of Seven, as they sat around a table Sunday, commencing their three-day summit in Bavarian Alps, Germany.
U.S. Ambassador Cohen on inflation, the convoy protests, abortion rights and gun control
David Cohen has been the United States' Ambassador to Canada since November 2021, and in the time since, both Canada and the United States have experienced a series of shared challenges. In an interview at his official residence in Ottawa, Cohen opens up about the state of the relationship.
Canada pledges funds as G7 develops response to famine fallout from Russian invasion
Canada pledged $50 million to prevent Ukrainian grain from going to waste on Sunday as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed to work with G7 nations on further measures to halt the famine caused by the Russian invasion of the embattled country.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine a 'turning point' in world history: defence chief
Canada's chief of defence says Russia's invasion of Ukraine is going to change the course of history.
Live updates: G7 nations seek to counter Chinese influence
The latest on the G7 summit: The Group of Seven leading democratic economies has formally launched at its annual summit a global infastructure and investment partnership aimed at pushing back China's influence in the developing world.
Norway mourns victims of Oslo shooting with memorial service
Norway's prime minister and members of the royal family joined mourners at a memorial service Sunday at Oslo Cathedral for the victims of a shooting attack as the capital held its annual LGBTQ Pride festival.
People with COVID-19 can infect and sicken cats and dogs by cuddling them: study
Cat and dog owners who cuddle their pets when infected with COVID-19 could end up making the animals sick with the virus, according to a Canadian study.
Rate of extreme rainfall expected to increase dramatically by 2100
New research looking at the frequency of heavy rainfall across the globe shows that a drastic increase in downpours is expected over the years to come.