A potential bid for the leadership of Alberta’s governing United Conservative Party by MP Michelle Rempel Garner may hinge on whether she can get a waiver from party rules, the Star has learned.
Multiple sources tell the Star the UCP’s caucus meets later Monday to debate whether the fact Rempel Garner hasn’t been a member of the party for the six months required should disqualify her from running.
Rempel Garner publicly declared last week that she is considering a run for the UCP job, which current leader and Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced last month he would vacate. He made the decision after only narrowing surviving a party leadership review. He is to step down as soon as a new leader is chosen.
The ultimate arbiter of whether Rempel Garner will be granted a waiver is the party’s leadership election committee, which is scheduled to discuss the issue Monday evening following the caucus debate.
The leadership race is already a crowded field of current UCP legislators, including several cabinet ministers who’ve stepped back from those jobs to enter the contest.
Should Rempel Garner be granted the waiver, it’s not a given that she will run.
She did not immediately return a call from the Star seeking comment.
More to eat.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Anyone can read Conversations, but to contribute, you should be a registered Torstar account holder. If you do not yet have a Torstar account, you can create one now (it is free)