Stage set for Wednesday’s UCP leadership debate

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on July 26, 2022.

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

The stage is set for the first United Conservative Party leadership debate in Medicine Hat with seven candidates taking part at the HALO airport hanger on Wednesday.

Former Calgary city councillor Jeff Davison will moderate the debate that is scheduled for two-hours beginning at 5 p.m.

Three main themes, according to a party release, will be leadership and unity, healthcare, and the economy and the environment.

The winner of the party contest, set to be announced on Oct. 6, will replace Jason Kenney as party leader and become the premier of the province.

Tickets are sold out for the local event, however it will also be livestreamed online at http://www.unitedconservative.ca.

The leadership candidates (in alphabetical order):

– Leela Aheer, 51, the MLA for Chestermere-Strathmore since 2015, and most recently the Minister for Culture, Multiculturalism and the Status of Women;

– Brian Jean, 59, MLA for Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche, former MP for Fort McMurray-Athabasca, Wildrose Party leader and leader of the official opposition;

– Todd Loewen, 55, MLA for Grande-Prairie-Smoky Lake since 2015, sat as a UCP member until 2021, then as an independent;

– Rajan Sawhney, 51, MLA for Calgary-North East since 2019, held two cabinet positions, most recently Minister of Transportation, and previously Community and Social Services;

– Rebecca Schulz, 37, MLA for Calgary-Shaw since 2019, was recently minister for Children’s Services;

– Danielle Smith, 51, former MLA for Highwood (2012-15), former Leader of Wildrose Party before joining PC government caucus in 2015, well-known talk show host;

– Travis Toews, 57, MLA for Grande Prairie Wapite since 2019, most recently Minster of Finance.

A second all-candidates forum will be held in Edmonton on August 30.

The deadline to be a party member able to vote in the contest is August 12. Ballots will be mailed on Sept. 2 ahead of a vote deadline of Oct. 3.