Premier critical of UCP election door-knocking plan

HARPER TO DOOR KNOCK FOR UCP CANDIDATE IN RIDING OF KENNEY RIVAL JANSEN

Premier Rachel Notley says it’s hypocritical for Alberta’s United Conservatives to encourage more women to enter politics but then take aim at a woman who left their movement due to what she said was abuse.

Notley says driving away Sandra Jansen, who is now NDP infrastructure minister, in such an ugly, public fashion still resonates.

“That probably has had the biggest negative impact on women being involved in politics for many, many years,” Notley said after an announcement Wednesday.

“Actions speak louder than words and it’s a bit hypocritical.”

Notley was responding the day after former Conservative MP Rona Ambrose and Laureen Harper, wife of former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper, announced a non-profit foundation that will work to mentor and assist more women to run for Alberta’s United Conservatives in the spring provincial election.

Laureen Harper told a crowd in Edmonton on Tuesday she lives in Jansen’s Calgary North West riding. She said her husband told her no matter who wins the United Conservative nomination, he will be going door to door in that constituency to make sure that person wins.

Jansen did not reply to a request for comment but responded on Twitter.

“If the UCP are sending the Harpers to door knock Calgary NW, then I assume my poll numbers are pretty good. See you guys in the hood today. Happy to buy any unemployed politician a coffee.”

The two-term legislature member is a former rival to and bitter foe of United Conservative Party Leader Jason Kenney.

She was a lifelong conservative elected as a Progressive Conservative in the 2015 election and ran against Kenney for leadership of the party in late 2016.

But Jansen dropped out of the race, then quit the party altogether. She said harassment and abuse from Kenney supporters had become intolerable, particularly at a November 2016 party event in Red Deer.

An investigation by the party found both Jansen and Kenney had been the target of abuse, but said there was no evidence specific campaigns had directed the attacks. Kenney called for civil discourse in debate.

Jansen later crossed the floor to join the NDP and was eventually elevated to cabinet.

Kenney’s PCs went on to merge with the Wildrose party to become the United Conservatives, which Kenney now leads.

All parties are recruiting and nominating candidates ahead of the spring election. United Conservatives have nominated 19 candidates to date for the province’s 87 constituencies, including four women.

Kenney has said 65 women are vying for nominations in the remaining races. Laila Goodridge has also joined caucus after winning a byelection in Fort McMurrayConklin earlier this month.

The parties are also fighting over fundraising. New numbers released Wednesday by Elections Alberta show the United Conservatives lead all parties by raising over $1.5 million in the first six months of 2018.

The NDP is second at almost $1.2 million. The Alberta Party raised almost $255,000 and the Liberals just over $57,000.