Tyler Shandro resigns as Alberta health minister, moves to labour and immigration
Tyler Shandro has resigned from his position as Alberta's embattled health minister and will now serve as the province's labour minister.
Premier Jason Kenney announced Shandro's portfolio swap with Labour Minister Jason Copping in a mid-afternoon cabinet shuffle Tuesday.
Shandro had been scheduled to appear at a Siksika flag raising ceremony in Strathmore earlier in the day but didn't show. His office would not answer questions on why he did not appear.
Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley said while news of Shandro’s resignation as health minister “is welcome,” it’s “not a solution to the urgent challenges before us.”
“Alberta is facing a crisis in our hospitals but the UCP can’t see beyond the chaotic spectacle of their own infighting,” the statement read.
“It is clear that the responsibility for Alberta’s pandemic mismanagement rests on the shoulders of every UCP member and therefore it is incumbent on them all to take responsibility and chart a more effective path on behalf of Albertans.
“A cabinet shuffle will not ease the immense pressure on our hospitals from this severe fourth wave. It won't reschedule the life-saving surgeries of thousands of Albertans. It won't recover our economy. And it won't help everyday families looking for leadership. Albertans deserve better."
University of Alberta political scientist John Church said he finds it surprising it took as long as it did for Shandro to be removed from the position.
He said Kenney is doing damage control and trying to appease the people who have been critical of his handling of the pandemic.
UCP policy VP Joel Mullan calls for Kenney to resign
An op-ed written the UCP’s vice-president of policy Joel Mullan is calling on Kenney to resign.
“In light of the choices he has made last week, I can no longer support him, and indeed believe he must resign,” Mullan said in the piece, published by the Western Standard on Tuesday.
Mullan said Kenney’s communication has been poor and very confusing since announcing his Open for Summer plan in July.
“It is foolish not to manage expectations in an uncertain environment, yet Jason Kenney has failed to do that as a matter of course,” he said.
Mullan went on to say he had supported Kenney throughout the leadership race, but that his oath lies with the party and not its leader.
“I believe the will of the membership is clear: it is time for Jason Kenney to go,” he said.
“Members now see him — as do I — as a clear threat to the future of our movement and party.”
Church, meanwhile, said the party will be in disarray if a new leader is not chosen.
“I think that Jason Kenney is unlikely to go quietly,” he said.
“Whether or not the UCP will be able to survive beyond Jason Kenney I think is a big question mark at this point.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.