'Fight for a stronger Alberta': Kenney comments for first time since announcing resignation
Premier Jason Kenney spoke publicly Friday for the first time since dropping the bombshell announcement that he plans to step down as UCP leader and premier of Alberta.
But there are still so many unanswered questions about Kenney's future -- and the future of his party.
The short appearance was made prior to a cabinet meeting at the McDougall Centre in Calgary.
"We have a lot of important work in front of us involving the vote from the leadership review earlier this week and, as you know, my intention to step aside as United Conservative Party leader," Kenney told the assembled members of the media. "I'll be doing so as soon as the party has selected a new leader. We're determined to keep our eye on the ball."
The premier did not field questions following his speech. In fact, members of the media were taken out of the room only moments after his statement wrapped up.
It's unclear when he'll next be made available to answer reporter questions.
Kenney announced his plans on Wednesday after narrowly winning his party's leadership review with 51.4 per cent support.
Caucus will select a new leader and premier "at the earliest possible opportunity," according to the party's governance manual.
A date has yet to be set.
Both the government cabinet and UCP caucus met in Calgary Thursday for "vigorous discussion and debate" about the next steps. After more than six hours inside, the caucus announced Kenney would remain in his role "until such time as a new leader is chosen."
Speculation regarding who will replace Kenney continues to intensify.
Some experts even believe Kenney himself still has his eyes on the job. No rules would stop him from running a campaign.
That, of course, was neither confirmed or denied during the premier's cabinet photo-op Friday.
"This is a government that's focused on their own internal drama," NDP MLA Kathleen Ganley told reporters. "They're failing to focus on what Albertans need, and I think that would make them reluctant to take questions."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Former Air Canada employees among suspects identified in gold heist at Pearson Airport: police
Nine people have been arrested in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year, Peel Regional Police said Wednesday.
MPs summon ArriveCan contractor to the House to be admonished in rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archaeological site in southwest France.
10 years in U.S. prison for Canadian man who stole millions with fake psychic fraud
A former Montreal resident has been sentenced to 10 years in a United States federal prison for a multi-decade fraud that manipulated more than one million Americans into sending money to fake psychics.
'Enormous sum of money': Actor Hugh Grant settles privacy lawsuit against tabloid
British actor Hugh Grant has settled a lawsuit against the publisher of Rupert Murdoch's tabloid newspaper, The Sun, over claims journalists used private investigators to tap his phone and burgle his house, he said on Wednesday.
O.J. Simpson was chilling with a beer on a couch before Easter, lawyer says. 2 weeks later he was dead
O.J. Simpson's last robust discussion with his longtime lawyer was just before Easter, at the country club home Simpson leased southwest of the Las Vegas Strip. About a week later, on April 5, a doctor said Simpson was 'transitioning.'
Some of the winners and losers in the 2024 federal budget
With a variety of fiscal and policy measures announced in the federal budget, winners include small businesses and fintech companies while losers include the tobacco industry and Canadian pension funds.