Skip to Main content

13.53°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Jun 2, 2022 3:15 PM - THE CANADIAN PRESS

Independent legislature member Loewen enters Alberta UCP leadership race

Share On

The first United Conservative backbencher to publicly call for Premier Jason Kenney to quit is now running to replace him as party leader and premier.

Todd Loewen announced in a Facebook post that he has registered with Elections Alberta to run, and says he will have a formal announcement next week.

Loewen made headlines more than a year ago when he published a letter resigning as caucus chair and called on Kenney to quit.

He said Kenney had lost the confidence to lead, citing weak dealings with Ottawa, ignoring caucus members, delivering contradictory messages, and botching critical issues such as negotiations with doctors and controversy over coal mining on the eastern slopes of the Rockies.

Hours later, Loewen and fellow Kenney critic Drew Barnes were voted out of the UCP caucus and now sit in the house as Independents.

There are now four contestants in the race: former Finance Minster Travis Toews, and former Wildrose leaders Brian Jean and Danielle Smith.

Latest news

b-c-conservatives-promise-1-000-annual-tax-cut-for-low-and-middle-income-families

B.C. Conservatives Promise $1,000 Annual Tax Cut for Low- and Middle-Income Families

B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson has announced a proposed $1,000 annual provincial income-tax cut for low- and middle-income families. Speaking at a grocery store in Surrey, Doerkson said that if elected premier, his government would raise the provincial basic personal income-tax exemption to $32,000. He said this would mean British Columbians would pay no provincial income tax on their first $32,000 of income. Doerkson said a two-income household could save up to $2,000 a year under the proposal, with the money remaining in families’ pockets rather than going to the government. He al

27-year-old-charged-in-burnaby-crash-that-killed-elderly-couple

27-Year-Old Charged in Burnaby Crash That Killed Elderly Couple

A 27-year-old Abbotsford man has been charged in connection with a fatal crash in Burnaby that killed an elderly couple nearly two years ago. According to Burnaby RCMP, the crash occurred on December 21, 2024, at Boundary Road and Forest Street, where two vehicles collided and one vehicle struck the other from the side. A 67-year-old woman and a 71-year-old man, who were travelling in the same vehicle, died at the scene. Following an investigation that lasted nearly two years, the RCMP’s Criminal Collision Investigation Team determined that charges were warranted. The B.C. Prosecution Servic

eby-pledges-to-freeze-icbc-insurance-rates-for-another-three-years

Eby Pledges to Freeze ICBC Insurance Rates for Another Three Years

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby has promised to freeze ICBC insurance rates for another three years if his party is re-elected. Speaking during a campaign stop in Richmond, Eby said the move would mean B.C. drivers would go a total of 10 years without facing additional increases in their vehicle insurance rates. Eby credited his government’s no-fault insurance reforms for helping move B.C. from having some of the most expensive auto insurance in Canada to among the most affordable. He also criticized B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson, warning that insurance rates could double again if the Co

bill-c-39-faces-vote-in-house-of-commons-amid-strike-powers-controversy

Bill C-39 Faces Vote in House of Commons Amid Strike Powers Controversy

Canada’s House of Commons is set to vote today on the federal government’s controversial Bill C-39, which aims to fast-track approvals for major projects. The bill has drawn criticism over a provision that would amend Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, giving the Labour Minister the power to intervene in an ongoing strike by citing the national interest. NDP parliamentary leader Don Davies has called the bill an attack on workers’ and Indigenous rights, as well as environmental protections. He said he is concerned about a growing trend of power being concentrated in the hands of cabi

Vancouver Advance Voting Sets New Daily Record as 25,142 Voters Cast Ballots

Vancouver’s municipal election advance voting has set a new daily record, with 25,142 people casting their ballots on Wednesday, the second day of advance voting. According to preliminary figures released by the City of Vancouver, it was the highest number of advance votes recorded in a single day in the city’s history. The previous record was set just four days earlier, on Oct. 3, when 21,824 voters cast their ballots on the first day of advance voting. In comparison, only 10,502 people voted on the second day of advance voting during Vancouver’s 2022 municipal election. This year’s f

Related News

Minor Arrested After Gun Sighting Report at Lloydminster High School

Minor Arrested After Gun Sighting Report at Lloydminster High School

A minor was arrested Wednesday after a report of a gun being seen at a school in Lloydminster, a city located on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. According to Lloydminster RCMP, police received a report from Lloydminster Comprehensive High School at around 11:07 a.m. The school was immediately placed under lockdown, and officers took the suspect into custody without incident. The suspect’s identity cannot be released due to their age under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Following a thorough investigation, police confirmed that no weapon was found at the scene.

Man Accused of Threatening PM Mark Carney Faces Lengthy Prison Sentence

Man Accused of Threatening PM Mark Carney Faces Lengthy Prison Sentence

A man facing charges for allegedly threatening the life of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and making threats against him could face a lengthy prison sentence. Prosecutors say that beyond the threats against the prime minister, the accused is also facing serious charges including extortion, which could result in an even longer prison term. Thirty-one-year-old Jamie Da Costa appeared in court by CCTV on Wednesday, while his lawyer was present in person. His lawyer requested until October 13 to review the case. Da Costa is currently being held at the Calgary Remand Centre. He is accused of t

Edmonton City Council Keeps 25-Cent Paper Bag Fee

Edmonton City Council Keeps 25-Cent Paper Bag Fee

Edmonton residents will continue to pay a 25-cent fee for paper bags when ordering through drive-thrus or shopping at stores. City council narrowly voted Tuesday afternoon to reject a motion that would have eliminated the paper bag fee. The decision followed discussions on the city’s Single-Use Item Bylaw, introduced in 2023. According to an administrative report, single-use waste has declined by 30 per cent since the bylaw came into effect, with retail bags accounting for the largest share of the reduction. The motion to remove the fee was defeated in a 7-6 vote, meaning the 25-cent charge

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital