Alberta premier faces his biggest challenge: his own party as protesters force lockdown at Calgary casino
The UCP's annual convention this weekend started out with tension both inside and out.
Not only did Premier Jason Kenney find his leadership being challenged inside the Grey Eagle Casino, but shortly after 6 p.m., protesters gathered outside the casino armed with signs speaking out against vaccine mandates and calling for the premier's resignation.
Tsuut'ina police guarded the entrances and for about 40 minutes, no one was allowed in or out of the venue.
Tsuut'ina police outside the Grey Eagle Casino Friday night
Grey Eagle Casino management issued a statement Friday saying they anticipated protests and are working closely with UCP organizers and police.
Kenney arrived at the venue not long before the protesters, where he discovered the climate inside the building won't likely be much more welcoming this weekend.
Earlier Friday, Kenney was booed by several delegates at the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association.
His words, for the incoming AUMA (now renamed the AM) president may have been directed at all Albertans as well.
"We know, what we all know," said Kenney, "It's a lot easier to tear down than to build up. And it's hard to lead, especially at a time of crisis like we've been going through."
Kenney's leadership is about to be tested by his own party.
Jason Kenney meeting and greeting UCP party members Friday at Grey Eagle Casino
The United Conservative Party's annual general meeting kicks off in Calgary Friday night and nearly two dozen constituency associations are calling for an early review of his leadership, unhappy with his actions throughout the pandemic.
"The range of people that are angry with him for a number of different reasons is so substantial, it's difficult to understand how he can win that confidence and trust," said Mount Royal University political science professor Lori Williams.
One of the constituency associations demanding an early leadership review is Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, where members feel they could lose voters to the revamped Wildrose Independence party.
Erhard Poggeemiller is on the board and says members need a firm answer.
"I think that is really a new leader, "he says, "Or a resounding leadership confirmation - one of the two...and then I think we need to put it to bed and move ahead."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.