Alberta Premier Alison Redford called a press conference late Wednesday afternoon to announce that she will be resigning as the leader effective this Sunday.
"Quite simply I’m not prepared to allow party and caucus infighting to get in the way of building a better province and future for Albertans. And that is why I’m announcing today, I am resigning as premier of Alberta effective this Sunday evening,” said Redford.
The announcement comes after signs of ongoing turmoil within the Tory party including two MLAs resigning within a week.
Redford has been facing down critics since early this year, when she expensed about $45,000 for a trip overseas for Nelson Mandela’s funeral.
Last week, she announced she had paid back the funds, but many said it was too little too late.
A poll released Wedesday shows Redford's approval rating at 18 per cent, the lowest of all Alberta party leaders.
The Wildrose was quick to respond to Redford's resignation.
“The PC Party simply can’t be fixed. The problems with their party and their government run far too deep for one leader to change no matter how noble their intentions are or how deeply they are committed to them,” said Danielle Smith.
The Prime Minister's Office also reacted to the announcement saying, "We thank Premier Redford for her years of service and her commitment to the people of Alberta and to Canada, and we wish her the best in whatever comes next."
Calgarians say the decision was inevitable.
“She was well intentioned I think she had an honest heart in what she was doing. It is disappointing but it was probably inevitable in light of all the circumstances in the past 2 months,” said one man.
“I won’t say I haven’t thought that the party was going to take her out and that her days were numbered and she just decided to move away,” said another.
Redford was elected premier in 2011.
