13.22°C Vancouver

Jul 27, 2022 2:47 PM - THE CANADIAN PRESS

Alberta United Conservative Party leadership contenders to square off in first debate

Share On

The seven candidates vying to become the next United Conservative Party leader and Alberta premier are to tackle health, the economy and other key issues in their first debate tonight.

They are to square off in Medicine Hat for the first of two scheduled debates ahead of Oct. 6, when party members vote on who should replace Premier Jason Kenney.

The debate will be moderated by former Calgary city councillor Jeff Davison and focus on unity, leadership and the environment.

The candidates include former cabinet ministers Travis Toews, Rebecca Schulz, Rajan Sawhney and Leela Aheer.

Current legislature members Brian Jean and Todd Loewen are also in the race, as is former Wildrose leader Danielle Smith.

This is the only scheduled debate before the crucial Aug. 12 cutoff for members to sign up if they wish to vote in the leadership contest and the final debate is set for Aug. 30 in Edmonton.

Latest news

trump-orders-lake-ontario-renamed-lake-america-amid-canada-u-s-trade-war
WorldAug 27, 2026

Trump Orders Lake Ontario Renamed ‘Lake America’ Amid Canada-U.S. Trade War

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order seeking to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America” with immediate effect, amid escalating tensions between Canada and the United States over trade. The lake, which lies along the Canada-U.S. border, has become the latest target of Trump’s symbolic naming campaign after trade talks between Washington and Ottawa broke down completely. Trump had threatened in recent days to take the symbolic step, although it was initially unclear whether the U.S. president was serious about actually changing the name. Canadian officials, however, have al
two-killed-in-early-morning-crash-on-highway-19-near-lantzville
BCAug 27, 2026

Two Killed in Crash Near Lantzville; 16-Year-Old Driver Charged

Two people were killed in a serious crash involving a Volkswagen Jetta and a Kia Sedona minivan on Highway 19 near Lantzville on Vancouver Island early Friday morning. According to B.C. Highway Patrol, the collision occurred around 3 a.m. near the intersection of Ware Road, involving two vehicles travelling in the southbound lanes. Police said two occupants of the Volkswagen died at the scene. The 16-year-old girl driving the Kia minivan was also injured and remains in hospital for treatment. The teenage driver has been charged with impaired driving causing death and dangerous operation of a m
BCAug 27, 2026

Vancouver Eases Water Restrictions, Lawns Can Be Watered Once a Week From Sept. 1

Metro Vancouver is set to ease its water restrictions from Stage 2 to Stage 1 starting Sept. 1, allowing residents and businesses to water their lawns once a week. Under Stage 1, residential properties with even-numbered addresses can water their lawns on Saturdays, while odd-numbered addresses can do so on Sundays. Automatic watering is permitted from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., while manual watering is allowed from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. For commercial properties, lawn watering will be allowed on Mondays for even-numbered addresses and Tuesdays for odd-numbered addresses. Trees, shrubs and flowers can als
anita-anand-confirms-30-canadians-missing-after-nepal-tibet-floods
CanadaAug 27, 2026

Anita Anand Confirms 30 Canadians Missing After Nepal-Tibet Floods

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has confirmed that 30 Canadian citizens and permanent residents are among the hundreds of people reported missing following severe flooding and landslides in the border region between Nepal and Tibet. In a statement issued Thursday, Anand said Canadian officials are in continuous contact with local authorities and international partners to support the safe return of Canadians in the affected areas and assist their families. However, the minister said there is currently no confirmed information about the whereabouts or well-being of the missing Ca
man-sentenced-to-3-years-in-2023-vancouver-homicide-case
BCAug 27, 2026

Man Sentenced to 3 Years in 2023 Vancouver Homicide Case

A 43-year-old man, Dustin Gastel, has been sentenced to three years in prison for desecrating human remains in connection with a 2023 homicide in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The case came to light on January 3, 2023, when Vancouver Fire Rescue Services discovered burned human remains while extinguishing a suspicious outdoor fire near Powell Street and Raymur Avenue. Police later identified the victim as 34-year-old Jeff Genty, who was the first homicide victim recorded in Vancouver that year. According to Vancouver police, Gastel was sentenced by the court on August 10. His three-year sen

Related News