7.2°C Vancouver

Jun 6, 2022 2:37 PM - THE CANADIAN PRESS

Former Alberta finance minister stresses unity at campaign launch for UCP leadership

Share On

Alberta's former finance minister officially launched his campaign to succeed Premier Jason Kenney as leader of the United Conservative Party on Saturday by stressing the need for unity and warning against the dangers of division.

Travis Toews, who resigned from cabinet Tuesday to run for his party's top job, told an audience of supporters that he was extending a call home to those who felt ``wrongly categorized'' and

``disregarded.''

Kenney announced he would step down as UCP leader as soon as a new one is chosen after he received lukewarm support of 51.4 per cent in a leadership review last month.

He has blamed his demise on a faction of extremists unhappy with his decisions to bring in restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Toews noted the pandemic caused feelings of lingering grief and frustration, which he said has crept into communities, businesses and even families, and that healing is needed within the province's conservative movement.

The party is working out the logistics of a vote and has not announced a date or any other details.

Latest news

alberta-francophone-groups-urge-ottawa-to-keep-supreme-court-bilingualism-out-of-political-debate
AlbertaFeb 05, 2026

Alberta francophone groups urge Ottawa to keep Supreme Court bilingualism out of political debate

Two Alberta-based francophone organizations are pushing back against calls to loosen bilingualism requirements for Supreme Court of Canada judges, warning that language rights should not become a political bargaining tool. The Association des juristes d’expression française de l’Alberta and the Alberta chapter of the French Canadian Association say bilingualism at the country’s highest court is essential to ensure francophones can fully access the justice system in one of Canada’s two official languages. They argue the requirement reflects constitutional principles rather than regiona
two-charged-after-bear-spray-assault-during-east-vancouver-retail-robbery-attempt
BCFeb 05, 2026

Two charged after bear spray assault during East Vancouver retail robbery attempt

Two men are facing criminal charges after Vancouver Police say a loss prevention officer was assaulted during an attempted retail theft in East Vancouver earlier this week. Police were called shortly before 8:40 a.m. on February 2 to a store near Glen Drive and Terminal Avenue, where officers say two suspects used bear spray on an employee while trying to flee on foot with unpaid merchandise. The victim did not require hospital treatment, according to police. An extensive search of the surrounding area followed, involving patrol officers, a police drone, and a canine unit. The suspects were lo
AlbertaFeb 05, 2026

Calgary man sentenced to 16 years for joining Islamic State

A Calgary man who travelled to the Middle East and joined the Islamic State terrorist organization has been sentenced to 16 years in prison, with parole eligibility only after serving at least half of the sentence. A judge handed down the sentence to Jamal Borhot following his conviction in December on three counts related to participating in the activities of a terrorist group. The court heard that Borhot left Canada in 2013 and travelled to Syria with a cousin, where he knowingly and willingly aligned himself with ISIS. Evidence presented at trial showed the 35-year-old took part in violent
abbotsford-man-now-faces-first-degree-murder-charge-in-hotel-homicide-investigation
BCFeb 05, 2026

Abbotsford man now faces first-degree murder charge in hotel homicide investigation

Homicide investigators in Abbotsford say a 26-year-old man is now charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a 30-year-old woman whose body was discovered inside a local hotel last month. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says Sondeep Singh Gill was initially charged with second-degree murder, but the charge was upgraded following additional investigative work and a review of the evidence. Gill also faces a separate charge of indignity to human remains. Police were first called to the hotel after patrol officers received reports of suspicious circumstances. Inves
sukhbir-badal-urges-punjab-police-to-stop-harassment-of-akali-workers
IndiaFeb 05, 2026

Sukhbir Badal urges Punjab Police to stop harassment of Akali workers

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday led the party’s core committee members to the Punjab Director General of Police office in Chandigarh, alleging harassment of Akali workers by the police. Badal said the action was linked to the investigation into the alleged disappearance of 328 saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, claiming that party workers were being unfairly targeted in the case. He maintained that the Shiromani Akali Dal was seeking clarity from senior police officials on the basis of the ongoing actions. The Akali Dal leader said the party’s entire leadership

Related News