NEXT STEPS
Those crossing their fingers for conservative unity have a long way to go yet, despite the agreement unveiled Thursday afternoon.
The first hurdle? Getting a majority of Progressive Conservative and Wildrose members to ratify the deal.
For the PCs, it will take 50 per cent plus one, but the Wildrose will need to secure 75 per cent of membership approval to make the necessary changes to its constitution.
The unity discussion group is hoping both parties will vote on the same day — July 22.
The PC party struck a referendum committee at its last board meeting which will deal with how members will vote for ratification, whether it’s in person at a central meeting, at ballot boxes around the province, by mail or online.
In the case of Wildrose, the constitution calls for a special general meeting with voting allowed by phone or online.
Each of the legacy parties will select two people for a nomination committee that will establish how candidates will be selected for each electoral division.
Take us to your leader: Wildrose Leader Brian Jean and PC Leader Jason Kenney will each select six people to serve on a leadership election committee, which will nail down the rules for the race.
That race will begin the day after ratification (if the agreement passes). It will be a one-member, one-vote system, with members of the new party casting their ballots Oct. 28.
To vote, a person must have been a United Conservative Party member for a minimum of 21 days. Money, money, money: Economically, the new party will have to start from scratch and fundraise its way to be election-ready in a relatively short period.
The PCs currently have a debt estimated at around $600,000, while the Wildrose has a significant war chest.
The assets belonging to Wildrose can’t be used to pay down the PC debt, so the Tories will go to constituency associations, asking them to transfer money to the central party to help it get back to black.
Elections Alberta has given the OK for a number of ways the Wildrose can legally spend its remaining cash to make sure it’s not forfeited to the Crown, such as promoting a leader or party ideals.
Both the PC and Wildrose parties will continue to exist under the united umbrella, but will be wound down in accordance with Elections Alberta guidelines.