CALGARY – Alberta Prime Minister Jason Kenney acknowledges the tensions within his United Conservative party, while the PCU president pleads with members to remain united under the camp banner.
Both comments came moments apart at the party’s annual general meeting in Calgary.
Kenney delivered a keynote speech in which he defended actions to protect the province’s health system during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite some of those actions causing rifts within the party’s ranks.
Kenney says he has no regrets about his government’s pandemic-fighting measures despite the anger they caused.
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UCP members take sides for and against Kenney at the party’s annual general meeting
The prime minister faced strong criticism from people who thought the various restrictions were too strong and from others who thought he should have acted earlier and more decisively.
Kenney’s approval rating has plummeted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a number of contentious issues, such as an ongoing lawsuit against his office and political infighting, have framed much of his time in office.
Alberta Prime Minister Jason Kenney raises his thumb after his speech at the annual meeting of the United Conservative Party in Calgary, Alta, on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021.
THE CANADIAN PRESS / Larry MacDougal
He says he welcomes an upcoming leadership review, but asks members to focus on Albertans’ priorities rather than internal party affairs.
“There will be a leadership review vote next year and I want you to know that I welcome you, take the opportunity to be held accountable,” Kenney said during his keynote address on Saturday.
“We have some internal differences, all major political parties have and always will, but let’s address and resolve those internal differences internally.”
© 2021 The Canadian Press
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