UCP candidates clash at local debate

By COLLIN GALLANT on July 28, 2022.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

The first United Conservative Party debate – held in a helicopter hanger in Medicine Hat on Wednesday – turned into a dog fight at times with perceived front-runners fending off attacks from field of seven candidates, including each other.

About half the two-hour program saw talk show host and former Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith grilled on recent comments about health and a proposed sovereignty act.

Then everyone ganged up on Travis Toews.

The candidates with the most recognition – Smith, Toews and Brian Jean – are considered the front runners across the field of seven.

“I thought it was great discussion, I think you saw seven cabinet ministers up there,” Smith said afterwards, adding she believes the race was being defined on two issues.

“The COVID measures that saw chaos in our business community… and getting tough with Ottawa,” she told reporters. “And I’m the only candidate that has policy that will get tough with Ottawa.”

Others disagreed throughout the two-hour debate, calling the Smith’s Alberta Sovereignty Act reckless action that wouldn’t stand up in court, but would shake business investment confidence.

“When we’re strategic we win and we want to win for Albertans,” said Toews, the recent finance minister.

“The old approach of a lot of rhetoric will not get a win.”

Toews was challenged by Jean on his role in cabinet that he said failed on COVID control measures and hasn’t pushed back hard enough federal issues.

The format for the large field debate saw each candidate ask a question, then choose who to directly debate before an open debate session.

The first half of the event was spent on a direct challenge from Rajan Sawhney and Rebecca Schulz and others piling on challenging Smith on her recent comments on cancer treatment and the Alberta Sovereignty Act.

Smith, however, got the two biggest rises out of the crowd of 400 by lacing criticism of Ottawa and at the Alberta Health Services and cabinet decisions during the COVID pandemic.

“It’s Ottawa that cancelled (energy) projects… and we need to lead,” she said.

Later she fended off critics of her proposal to selectively enforce federal policy that the government deems unconstitutional.

“Being premier is more than being a talk show host, it requires stability,” said Sawhney in one of a dozen back and forths.

“(As talk show host) I certainly wouldn’t have bought that snow job from AHS,” on school masking, vaccine passports, replied Smith.

Sawhney told reporters that Smith’s message “might be crowd-pleasing, but there are Albertans all across this province, who vote conservative in elections who don’t agree.”

“It’s important for all candidates today speak up about some of her policy ideas that are incredibly damaging,” she said.

Rebecca Schulz said she agreed with the basic tone of the act – to challenge Ottawa – but felt it would have little effect.

“I understand those sentiments too, I hear it from every Albertans, but ignoring the rule of law with a job-killing, investment killing act is not the answer for Albertans,” said Schulz.

Candidate Leela Aheer said Alberta can build on the energy and goodwill shown during the early stages of pandemics from charity groups, social agencies and all Alberta to “transform” the province for the future.

The debate moved on from candidates at the centre of the stage jabbing with Smith in the second half.

“Finally, the debate moves to the right,” joked Jean after he was challenged to discuss unity by Travis Toews – both men were positioned furthest from the left.

“I’m the only one on this stage that’s run a caucus without it coming apart at the seems,” said Jean, a former Wildrose opposition leader who took over from Smith.

Then he turned to Toews on a question of party unity that splintered this winter leading to a leadership review and the resignation of Jason Kenney.

“It’s not about unity in caucus, it’s about Albertans being unified behind the Conservative movement,” said Jean. “You were a senior member of a cabinet that hurt Albertans.”

Toews said the pandemic was tough on all Albertans, and the cabinet acted in best interest at the time, but over time Albertans lost trust. Toews said his experience as finance minister puts him in the best place to manage recovery in the province’s finances and build “a collaborative approach and when we do that we make better decisions.”

“The politically convenient thing to do was snipe from the outside,” said Toews.

“Leadership isn’t cutting and running.”

Todd Loewen, removed from caucus from criticizing cabinet decision making, took issue.

“I have colleagues in the COVID cabinet, who, now that opinion seems to be changing, have changed their tone,” he said.

The second and last debate of the leadership contest will take place on Aug. 30 in Edmonton.

To be qualified to vote in the contest, party members must have valid membership by Aug. 12. The results of mail-in and in-person balloting will be announced on Oct. 6.

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