UCP Party faces complaint over attack ads

Group to deal with complaint involving attack ads distributed at convention

The new United Conservative Party board is dealing with an official complaint lodged mere hours after members were voted into office three weeks ago.

Saturday marked a daylong orientation meeting for the fledgling board. They come to their positions from an array of backgrounds and party experience — from political neophytes to anti-abortion activists, former city councillors and bighitters in the conservative world.

Aside from the general business of running the UCP behind the scenes, board members are to make a decision on an official complaint lodged by Lethbridge West constituency association president Warren Mitchell.

It stems from the founding convention where attack ads against Natalie Pon, who was running for a director position, were distributed in the hallway and scattered around tables. In his complaint, Mitchell alleged that Edmonton party director Kris Barker and Edmonton Riverview constituency association director Cameron Wilson fell foul of the party’s code of conduct by being involved in a “smear campaign” against Pon.

Party executive director Janice Harrington confirmed the complaint and told Postmedia a new conduct committee was formed last week. “They have now initiated their process,” she said in an email Saturday. “We expect to have a decision within a week or so.”

The first UCP board

Here are the board members working toward the 2019 election.

Erika Barootes, president

Worked for many years with the former Progressive Conservative government, including stints in the premier’s office, caucus and the education ministry. Former member of the University of Calgary conservatives club. Now works at Epcor.

Adam Sweet, VP bylaw and policy

Born and raised in Wetaskiwin. Runs a startup strategic advisory services firm. University of Alberta graduate with work experience at the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, with various members of Parliament in Ottawa, and with the federal government in Washington, D.C., and Afghanistan. Endorsed by former MP Monte Solberg.

Jodie Gateman, VP communications

Held a similar role in the Wildrose Party. Helped manage campaigns for conservative stalwarts Preston Manning, Ian Donovan and Grant Hill.

Michelle Collins, VP fundraising

Director of the Association of Alberta Registry Agents in Edmonton. Won by acclamation.

Kal Toor, VP membership

Edmonton real estate developer. Went into the board elections armed with endorsements from former MP Tim Uppal and current MP Arnold Viersen. Involved with federal and provincial conservative parties since 2003. Has helped with various political campaigns over the years.

Adrian Harvey, secretary

A Calgary securities and corporate finance lawyer. University of Alberta graduate and corporate secretary at Antrim Energy Inc.

Gail Broadbent, treasurer

Lac La Biche County councillor and deputy mayor from 2009 to 2012. Involved with her local Wildrose Party constituency association for many years. Chartered professional accountant with her own firm.

Cynthia Moore, Calgary director

Belongs to a well-known philanthropic family in Calgary. Director at the Calgary Health Trust, owns a consulting firm in community development. Her father was noted oilman Sherrold Moore.

Dale Bossert, Calgary director

Director of Alberta Prosperity Fund, a conservative political action committee, and Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Involved backstage in politics for years. Helped run UCP Leader Jason Kenney’s last four federal campaigns. Engineer and president of DWB oil and gas.

Jennifer Johnson, central Alberta director

Entered the UCP board race endorsed by Red Deer-Lacombe MP Blaine Calkins and Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House- Sundre MLA Jason Nixon. Central Alberta farmer. This is her first party board role.

Ruven Rajoo, central Alberta director

President of the Lakeland federal conservative association. School trustee with the St. Paul education board. Owns Two Hills & County Chronicle.

Greta Wierenga, Edmonton director

A chartered professional accountant with MNP in Edmonton and instructor at NorQuest. Listed as treasurer for anti-abortion group ALIES (Alberta Life Issues Educational Society) for four years. Endorsed by Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock UCP MLA Glenn van Dijken and recently elected Edmonton-area conservative MP Dane Lloyd.

Kris Barker, Edmonton director

Various party experience including delegate for Edmonton Gold Bar for the unity vote. Also a board member for that constituency association and Vegreville-Fort Saskatchewan, and the Strathcona federal conservative association. Was on the UCP policy governance subcommittee. Served in the military for 12 years, now an account manager at Business Development Bank of Canada.

Gordon Ferguson, northern Alberta director

Treasurer of the Lesser Slave Lake UCP constituency association. Chartered professional accountant, business owner and former municipal councillor. Won by acclamation.

Ryan Becker, northern Alberta director

Lives in La Crete. Former RCMP officer, now a corporate services manager. Won by acclamation.

Cathy Smith, southern Alberta director

Two-term Medicine Hat alderman. Roles held with her local Progressive Conservative association include president, secretary, and membership and policy chair.

John Voorhorst, southern Alberta director

Former fundraising VP for the now-defunct Wildrose Alliance Party constituency association in Little Bow. Southern Alberta chairman of ARPA Canada, an anti-abortion group that pushes for more religious inclusion in politics.