17.73°C Vancouver

May 19, 2022 3:35 PM - THE CANADIAN PRESS

Jason Kenney joins list of past Alberta premiers to resign amid party strife

Share On
jason-kenney-joins-list-of-past-alberta-premiers-to-resign-amid-party-strife
Jason Kenney

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced Wednesday that he is stepping down as United Conservative leader after winning 51.4 per cent support from members in a leadership review. Under party rules, a simple majority would have been enough to keep his job. But Kenney said the result did not show enough support for him to stay on as leader. Here are some past Alberta premiers who resigned amid party strife:

Ralph Klein — (1992-2006):

The folksy one-time Calgary mayor led Alberta's Progessive Conservatives to four straight majority governments. But toward the end of his tenure, Klein's popularity was buffeted by austerity measures, labour conflict and questions about his behaviour. He garnered 55 per cent support in a March 2006 leadership review and stepped down later that fall.

Ed Stelmach (2006-2011):

Stelmach won a come-from-behind victory to replace Klein as party leader and premier. A review of oil and gas royalty rates the following year drew anger in many quarters. Though he led the PCs to a resounding majority in the 2008 election and garnered 77 per cent approval in a 2009 leadership review, some caucus members took issue with his handling of the economy. In early 2011, he announced he would not be seeking re-election.

Alison Redford (2011-2014)

Redford became Alberta's first woman premier when she succeeded Stelmach as leader. The PCs won a majority in the 2012 election, despite predictions that they would be toppled by the upstart right-wing Wildrose Party. She, too, won 77 per cent party support in a leadership review. But revelations of lavish travel expenses — like $45,000 to attend Nelson Mandela's funeral in South Africa — led to Redford's undoing. Following weeks of caucus turmoil, she resigned in March 2014.

Jim Prentice (2014-2015)

The respected former federal cabinet minster left politics for the private sector, only to return to the fray for a run as PC leader. He handily won the leadership, but his party suffered a historic defeat to the New Democrats in the 2015 election, ending more than four decades of PC rule in the province. Prentice stepped down as party leader and MLA on election night after his party ended up in third place.

Latest news

ihit-investigating-murder-suicide-in-abbotsford
CanadaJul 02, 2025

IHIT investigating murder-suicide in Abbotsford

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) continues an investigation in Abbotsford where two people were found deceased inside a residence. Background: On the evening of June 30, 2025, at approximately 7:46 p.m., Abbotsford Police patrol officers responded to a dispute at a residence in the 36000 block of McKee Road. Upon arrival, officers entered the residence and discovered two deceased adults. IHIT was called to investigate and continues to work in close partnership with the AbbyPD Major Crime Unit, AbbyPD Forensic Identification Service (FIS) and BC Coroners Service to advance th
former-united-conservative-mlas-resuscitating-albertas-once-dominant-pc-party
AlbertaJul 02, 2025

Former United Conservative MLAs resuscitating Alberta's once-dominant PC Party

Two former members of Alberta's governing United Conservative Party are resuscitating the province's once-dominant Progressive Conservative Party. Former infrastructure minister Peter Guthrie and legislature member Scott Sinclair were booted from caucus earlier this year for pushing back against the Premier Danielle Smith's government and now sit as Independents. Sinclair says the province's two-party system has become too divisive, and they want to galvanize support from Albertans who feel they don't have a political home. Former NDP premier Rachel Notley ended the PC's 44-year
israel-is-ready-to-make-a-ceasefire-in-gaza-for-60-days-trump
WorldJul 02, 2025

Israel is ready to make a ceasefire in Gaza for 60 days: Trump

There may be a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. According to President Donald Trump, Israel is ready to make a ceasefire in Gaza for 60 days. He said that during this time, all parties will try to end the war together. Trump warned Hamas that if it does not accept the agreement, the situation will worsen. Trump said that Qatar and Egypt will send the final proposal of this agreement to Hamas. These two countries have been trying to bring peace for a long time. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will also visit Washington next Monday, where he will meet Trump at the White House.
more-flexibility-for-development-charges-will-unlock-more-homes-for-people
BCJul 02, 2025

More flexibility for development charges will unlock more homes for people

More affordable homes will be on the way quicker as the Province takes steps to speed up construction timelines and reduce up-front costs for homebuilders. “We are committed to finding innovative and cost-effective solutions to build housing, so everyone has a fair chance to live in communities where they work and belong,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “These changes are about supporting housing development and easing the financial burden on builders and developers so they can get shovels in the ground faster to help unlock more homes for people in B.C.”
WorldJul 02, 2025

Sean 'Diddy' Combs acquitted of most serious charges, convicted of prostitution-related offenses

Sean ``Diddy Combs has been convicted of prostitution-related offenses but acquitted on the most serious charges at his New York trial on Wednesday. The mixed result could still put Combs behind bars for up to a decade. Combs was convicted of transporting people across state lines for the purpose of engaging in prostitution. But the jury acquitted him of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, which were related to allegations that he forced girlfriends into hundreds of drug-fueled sex marathons with other men. His lawyers said the women were willing participants.

Related News