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
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.