Southern Albertans react to UCP election results
After a night of delays and multiple ballots, the United Conservative Party (UCP) has spoken.
Danielle Smith is the new leader for the UCP and will become the 19th premier of Alberta.
"Tonight marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Alberta story," said Smith during her victory speech last night.
"It is time for Alberta to take its place as a senior partner in building a strong and unified Canada."
Smith won on the sixth and final ballot of the night, beating out her closest competitor, Travis Toews, with 53.77 per cent of votes to Toews' 46.23 per cent.
Experts say a close race like this shows a very split party.
"The final vote, the tally of around 53 per cent, is probably not as high as some people probably expected it to be," said Lars Hallstrom, a political science professor at the University of Lethbridge.
"There is a lot of division, not just within the UCP but probably across the province."
Of the party's 124,000 members, 85,000 cast ballots.
In Lethbridge, most of the people we spoke to are skeptical of the election outcome.
"I hope that she does better, for everybody, here in Alberta," said Sarah Mauza. "It's a little scary not being able to have our own choice of who we want in."
"I’m not entirely sure that Danielle Smith is somebody I feel comfortable having in office, or having as our premier," added Christopher Wiltse.
"I think she betrayed the trust of a lot of Albertans 10 years back when she was elected to represent people as head of the Wildrose Party."
When it comes to the city of Lethbridge, Mayor Blaine Hyggen sent out a statement:
"I extend my congratulations to premier-designate Danielle Smith on her victory in the leadership race. We look forward to working with her and her team in continuing to find opportunities to advocate for the residents of Lethbridge."
Smith is currently not a sitting member of 'egislature, but that could change very soon.
UCP MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat, Michaela Frey, tendered her resignation earlier today, encouraging Smith to run in the riding.
"Seeing that (premier-designate) Smith won the leadership last night, it was incumbent upon me to make sure that I helped in any way that I could to make sure that she had a seat in the legislature in the fall," Frey told CTV News.
"So, if that's what it meant for me, that's what it meant for me and I’m very happy to be able to provide an option for her should she choose to take it."
It's still unknown whether the premier-designate will take the riding at this time.
She is already off to a busy start, having held a meeting with her new caucus in Calgary earlier Friday.
Smith will be sworn in on Tuesday and will hold that role for at least six months with a provincial election set for the end of May 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
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.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.