Former premier Jason Kenney resigns from Alberta legislature
Thousands asked for it while he was leader and now Jason Kenney has done it, announcing his resignation as a member of the Alberta legislature on social media Tuesday.
The former Alberta premier and United Conservative Party leader made his statement on Twitter, thanking constituents for supporting him during his 25 years in politics.
His statement included a letter of thanks to those individuals, saying the time had come for him to resign.
"A different government is in place, and the next election will occur in a few months," he wrote. "So, after a great deal of reflection and consultation, I have concluded that now is the best time for me to step aside as MLA."
Kenney also thanked all the public servants and volunteers who assisted him during his time in politics.
'ENVY OF THE WORLD'
He also wrote about his concerns about democracy in Canada and Alberta, places he considers in many ways to be "the envy of the world," and the institutions he sees are eroding each day.
"I am concerned that our democratic life is veering away from ordinary prudential debate toward a polarization that undermines our bedrock institutions and principles," he said.
"From the far left, we see efforts to cancel our history, delegitimize our historically grounded institutions and customs, and divide society dangerously along identity lines. And from the far right, we see a vengeful anger and toxic cynicism, which often seeks to tear things down, rather than build up and improve our imperfect institutions."
Kenney says he hopes for a time where both Canada and Alberta can "move past this time of polarization."
Kenney's first step into politics came when he was elected to the House of Commons in 1997 as a member of the Reform Party of Canada. He was then re-elected as a member of the Canadian Alliance and then served five terms in the Conservative Party.
He held several ministerial posts under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, but resigned his seat in 2016 after announcing his intent to run for leadership of Alberta's Conservatives, eventually merging it with the Wildrose Party.
Kenney became leader of the UCP in October 2017 and defeated the ruling NDP in Alberta's 2019 general election, becoming the province's 18th premier.
His resignation comes on the day of the throne speech, just ahead of the first legislature session with Premier Danielle Smith at the head of the province and the UCP.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.