Kenney, Jean take unification bid to Cochrane
Both leaders suggest vote splitting could lead to another term for Notley’s NDP
At a packed gathering of supporters for a United Conservative Party Monday night, Progressive Conservative Leader Jason Kenney renewed his calls for unity with the Wildrose, while taking shots at the prime minister for forgetting Alberta in his Canada Day speech.
“He seemed to think that Canada’s 150th anniversary is all about one thing only: diversity,” Kenney told the crowd at the Royal Canadian Legion branch in Cochrane. “Except apparently, his diversity doesn’t include Alberta.”
More than 150 people gathered to see Kenney and Wildrose Leader Brian Jean discuss unification of the two parties.
The two leaders have been crisscrossing the province to meet with party members ahead of a vote later this month on the creation of a United Conservative Party.
Monday’s gathering saw Kenney and Jean at turns criticizing the NDP government over the carbon tax, the planned coal phase out and Alberta’s pending curriculum rewrite.
“Their intention is to impose more failed teaching fads, like discovery math, and more ideological agendas in our schools,” Kenney said.
“We Albertans believe in freedom of choice and parental authority in education and we will not let them get away with it.”
Jean took the opportunity to hammer home the importance of pro-unity conservatives buying memberships in the Wildrose in advance of the July 8 cut-off for eligibility to vote.
Wildrose members will convene in Red Deer on July 22 for a vote that will require the support of 75 per cent of members to be a success.
“We must put our egos at the door and put behind us the hard feelings of division,” Jean said. “Go out and buy memberships in the parties. Focus on what we need to do to unite conservatives and Albertans.”
Both leaders have suggested that vote splitting on the right could result in a second term for Rachel Notley’s NDP.
The PCs will vote between July 20 and 22 on whether to ratify the deal. Approval for the Tories would require the support of 50 per cent plus one.
Organizers did brisk business selling memberships for both parties Monday night, encouraging party members to turn out to vote for unity.
But many of those assembled had already bought memberships in both parties and said they intend to vote for unity on July 22.
“I don’t care who leads, they just have to be a strong individual,” said Cochrane resident Darla Gullons. “I want to see unity between these parties, because otherwise, I’m sorry to say it, but we’re screwed.”