‘Hope’ drives Alberta Party leadership bid
Saying it’s time to “put up or shut up,” former Tory Rick Fraser officially joined the Alberta Party and threw his hat in the ring for the party’s leadership on Tuesday.
At an announcement with his wife and two sons beside him, the Calgary South East MLA — elected as a Progressive Conservative in 2012 and 2015 — said Albertans deserve a better type of politics than what’s been seen in the polarized conflict between the NDP government and the United Conservative Party.
“I’m running for the leader of the Alberta Party because that hope is not going to be realized without action. So it’s time for me to put up or shut up, as they say,” said Fraser, who left the UCP to sit as an Independent shortly after the new party was formed last summer by agreement of PC and Wildrose members.
Fraser, a 45-year-old former paramedic and union official, is one of a number of high-profile former Tories who have joined the Alberta Party since the formation of the UCP.
Stephen Mandel, the former Edmonton mayor and PC cabinet minister who lost his seat in the last election, is expected to announce his own candidacy for the Alberta Party leadership on Wednesday.
Fraser, who served as an associate minister in Alison Redford’s PC cabinet, said he’s not interested in a takeover of the Alberta Party by former Tories or trying to re-create the PC party.
“I made it very clear that I was not going to be part of anything in terms of a takeover,” he said. “This is about bringing people together of all political stripes.”
Fraser said he will release specific policy proposals during the course of the leadership campaign, which will see Alberta Party members vote on a preferential ballot, with results released Feb. 27.
He said his goal is to lead the party to victory in the next provincial election.
Mandel could prove to be a significant factor in the Alberta Party race however.
Chris LaBossiere, a former Alberta Party president and PC candidate who is a friend of Mandel’s, said the former mayor and businessman will bring an extensive network of supporters — and a team that represents the next generation — to the race.
“He’s more formidable than people might think,” said LaBossiere.
Kara Levis, a lawyer for Trans Canada Corp. and chair of the National Women’s Liberal Commission, is also running for the Alberta Party leadership.
Levis welcomed Fraser into both the Alberta Party caucus and the leadership race Tuesday but said that not carrying baggage from the PC party is one of her advantages in the campaign.
Fraser’s move to the Alberta Party raises the caucus number to three.
The party’s leadership race was sparked last fall when CalgaryElbow MLA Greg Clark stepped down as leader in order to generate interest and excitement around the Alberta Party.
Clark, who is staying neutral in the leadership race, said he is “thrilled” Fraser has come aboard.
Conversations between the two men date back to before the fall session.
“His job No. 1 is looking after his constituents,” Clark said.
Jacob Huffman, who previously threatened to run for the Alberta Liberal leadership on a comical platform, has also registered with Elections Alberta as a potential Alberta Party leadership candidate.
The party’s deadline for entry to the race, which includes a $10,000 fee, is next Monday.