Premier Dave Hancock told an audience in Edmonton on Thursday night that mistakes were made by the Redford government and he apologizes.

Hancock made the statements before a crowd of about 1,300 Tory party members.

He says he is sorry that the government became a distraction and the Tories have ‘lost touch’ with the grassroots of the province.

He says there is a lot of work to be done to rebuild confidence in the party.

“Not to say that the financial issues aren’t important, and not to say that the expense stuff isn’t important. But, we need to have a government that focuses on what is going to make Alberta the place for our children and grandchildren to grow up and be successful. And, that’s what we’ve been distracted from and need to get back on track,” Hancock told the audience.

Interestingly, Hancock did not once mention Alison Redford by name.

Redford resigned from her post as Premier over a month ago amid a travel spending controversy.

She hasn’t been seen in the legislature since.