Kenney says his confidence is high as UCP AGM wraps up
The day after his keynote address was met with multiple standing ovations, Premier Jason Kenney says he's feeling good about the way the UCP’s annual general meeting played out.
The AGM was billed as an event with the potential for fireworks where internal party issues and pandemic policy decisions have led to the lowest premier approval ratings in the country. Even some within the conservative ranks are calling for a new party head.
But the AGM wrapped Sunday with no coups, public spats or outward arguments.
"I know some of you guys were hoping for a fight yesterday, but it didn't happen," Kenney said to reporters. "I think it was an incredible expression of unity. I feel more confident about my leadership today than frankly I have in a very long time."
About 1,600 people were on hand for the AGM. Kenney's Saturday speech was the headline event.
"A lot more than 50 per cent of people in that room were on their feet affirming what I had to say to the party and the province," Kenney said.
Party division and an upcoming leadership review were the focus of the premier's media availability.
A motion aimed at preventing an early leadership review failed to pass on Friday, but Kenney says despite the vote outcome, the party is strong.
That'll be tested during in the spring review. Kenney acknowledged the divide in the UCP over COVID-19 health restrictions and decisions.
The pandemic was a hot button topic during Saturday night's bear-pit session.
Experts say even if it is just public health choices separating the UCP caucus, the debate around pandemic management is bound to rear its head again this winter.
"So I think the leadership review could go either way," political scientist Keith Brownsey said. "Why would there be fireworks now? What are they going to do at an annual general meeting? That party is divided in a half a dozen different ways."
More than 20 UCP constituency associations have requested that leadership vote come early. Whether that request is granted remains to be seen.
Kenney said he'll respect whatever date the party's board lands on.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.