Calgary-area MLA Rebecca Shulz (centre) is seeking the leadership of the United Conservative Party. She began her campaign in Medicine Hat on Thursday with an introduction at a local event by area MLA Michaela Frey (right). -- News Photo Collin Gallant, June 17, 2022.
UCP leadership hopeful Rebecca Schulz kicked off her campaign in Medicine Hat this week saying she’s hoping to change the tone of government while continuing to trumpet its successes.
“I know that we as the government have made a number of good decisions, done a number of good things, the people of our party and people of Alberta have said, ‘Hey, we want to see things done differently,’ that we’ve grown a bit entitled or arrogant,” she told a group of 30 supporters at the Kolab spa and coffee space in downtown Medicine Hat on Thursday.
“I want Albertans to know that I hear you.”
Schulz, 37, stepped down as minister of children’s services this week to join what has become a crowded race to replace Premier Jason Kenney as United Conservative Party leader and therefore premier.
She is one of four current MLAs with cabinet experience along with two former Wildrose Party leaders who have announced.
In Medicine Hat, she was introduced by Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA Michaela Frey, who described the pair as friends.
“I’m so proud to support her,” sad Frey. “I have no doubt she can hold this party together, and she knows there are better ways of doing things.”
On Friday, Schulz toured the Root Cellar and volunteered at the local food bank, then door-knocked in the afternoon.
She said a platform would be released soon but her three priorities were to mend rifts in the party, “defend” the province and Albertans against intrusion from Ottawa and continue to promote the government’s economic record.
“I know it’s been a couple difficult years here, but things are in fact looking up,” she said.
This week opponents have centred on relations with Ottawa, which Schultz said is a strong suit.
“I did successfully fight for a fair deal from Ottawa when it came to our childcare deal,” she said of the federal program to lower daycare costs, and which in Alberta, argued Schulz, better accommodates private-sector providers.
Eight candidates have declared their intention to run in the party-run contest that concludes on Oct. 6.
Candidates must pay a $150,000 registration fee and post a $25,000 refundable performance bond. They must also present 1,000 signatures. Party members must be in good standing as of an Aug. 12 deadline to vote by mail or in person.
Schulz attended high school in a small community near Moose Jaw, then the University of Saskatchewan and earned a communications degree from John Hopkins University. She previously worked in communications for SaskEnergy, Saskatchewan Government Insurance and Premier Brad Wall’s office.
She became the MLA for the rising of Calgary-Shaw in 2019.
Along with Frey, Her official campaign announcement earlier this week was attended by Health Minister Jason Copping.
Hunter on Team Toews
Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter has joined the list of UCP caucus members endorsing Travis Toews as the next party leader.
A release from the campaign of the former finance minister states the Grande Prairie-area MLA now has the support of 23 caucus colleagues.
“Travis has shown me that his only reason for being in politics is to build a better Alberta for our children and grandchildren,” said Hunter in the release. “I will support that every day, all day.”
Hunter worked as an associate minister of “red tape reduction” in alignment with the treasury board and finance ministry for two years until last summer.
