Kenney says he will not run for leadership

Premier admits vote result surprised him, but will leave job with `head held high'

After announcing he is stepping down as the Alberta UCP leader on Wednesday, Premier Jason Kenney confirmed during his weekly Corus radio appearance Saturday morning he will not be participating in the upcoming leadership race.

Mike Tarasko moderated the hour-long call-in program, Your Province. Your Premier, broadcasted on 630 CHED in Edmonton and 770 CHQR in Calgary. Tarasko opened the show with questions for the premier before opening up the phone lines to the public.

Kenney stood by his decision to step down as leader even though the majority — 51.4 per cent — of members who voted favoured him.

“It was clear to me that I could have legally carried on with the support of the majority of people who voted, but that would likely invite yet more distraction and division, and I want this government focused on the people's business, not on internal party politics,” said Kenney.

With a leadership race on the horizon, one caller asked Kenney what it would take to get the whole party on the same page.

“Conservatives in Alberta have spent a decade in division focused on their small differences rather than the vast majority of things that they believe in common,” he said.

“The first words I said to our caucus on Thursday morning were, whatever happens, I strongly recommend that people involved in the upcoming leadership election do so remembering that you've all got to come out of this united. Don't do or say things that will create permanent divisions in this movement because if you do, you're just handing government over to the NDP.”

Kenney said he is the leader that helped bring the party together and won the largest democratic mandate in Alberta history — however, COVID “threw a huge curveball” at the UCP.

He added he will not be endorsing candidates running in the upcoming leadership race.

` FOCUS ON THE ECONOMY'

At caucus on Thursday, Kenney said he is still aiming to portray a government with priorities such as health care and the economy, two topics he doubled down on during Saturday's radio show.

“Going forward, you're right to focus on the economy. That's what we as conservatives have to do, it's our strongest suit and here we are leading Canada in economic growth and in job growth. There's been about 165,000 net new jobs created in Alberta since the beginning of 2021,” he said.

Kenney admitted he was surprised with Wednesday's results, but the first thought that went through his mind was one of “relief,” but he will leave with his head held high.

“When I leave as premier, I will leave with my head held high with what we've done together, as a team,” he said.