Tories lose cabinet minister
Premier receives standing ovation as second MLA quits caucus
The Progressive Conservative caucus closed ranks Monday around embattled Premier Alison Redford, giving her a standing ovation in the Alberta legislature following days of upheaval that saw two Tory MLAs quit, including a cabinet minister.
The PC caucus appeared to be splintering last week after the stunning defection of Calgary-Foothills MLA Len Webber, who accused Redford of being “abusive” and a “bully.”
Calgary-Varsity MLA Donna Kennedy-Glans, associate minister for electricity and renewable energy, followed suit with her own resignation Monday morning, just as Tory MLAs headed into a caucus meeting at Government House in Edmonton.
“I am increasingly convinced that elements of this 43-year-old government are simply unable to make the changes needed to achieve that dream of a better Alberta,” she said in a statement.
Both Webber and Kennedy-Glans will sit as Independents.
“Do you have enough support to keep governing?” NDP Leader Brian Mason pointedly asked Redford in the legislature.
Redford rose to respond, but was drowned out when her caucus jumped to their feet to clap. Even the Wildrose opposition sarcastically joined in.
Redford’s daughter, whom the premier introduced as her guest, watched the drama unfold from the gallery. Redford, fighting back tears as she looked up at her daughter, said it was the first time she had introduced her as a guest in the chamber.
Among those applauding Redford were several backbench MLAs said to be part of a group of disgruntled Tories who met Sunday night.
Edmonton MLA Matt Jeneroux, who was at that meeting, said Monday he is reflecting on his position in the Tory caucus and continues to speak to his constituents.
“It’s coming to a head for me to make a decision,” he told the CBC, adding he has grown concerned with Redford’s leadership.
Also a target for opposition attacks was Sandra Jansen, associate minister for family and community safety, who came under fire last week for saying Webber should “go back to being an electrician” if he couldn’t handle what he considered bullying.
Jansen, who is responsible for anti-bullying initiatives, was not in the chamber Monday for question period.
“Will any member of the cabinet defend the minister’s bullying and dismissive comments?” Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith asked.
“Sometimes when a camera or a microphone is put in front of us, in the heat of the moment you say things that come out the wrong way,” deputy premier Dave Hancock said. “I have been the perpetrator of that myself, for which I would like to apologize.”
Later, Redford added: “I think that there were a lot of comments made last week that were not actually a very high-water mark for political conduct in this province. I think that when people’s emotions do get the best of them, sometimes unfortunate things are said. The best we can do is apologize and move on.”
Redford dismissed suggestions Jansen be turfed from the post and noted she apologized for the comments.
The display in question period came just after a pivotal Tory caucus meeting at Government House, where MLAs gathered to discuss the work plan idea created for Redford by the PC party executive over the weekend.
Of the handful of members who spoke to reporters going into the meeting, a few indicated they had serious concerns with the premier’s leadership. On the way out 21/2 hours later, reporters heard only positive remarks about Redford or no comments at all.
“I’m 100-per-cent supportive of Alison Redford as our premier,” Edmonton MLA David Dorward said as he came out.
The premier emerged a short time later with a brief smile and a joking comment, and was followed by several caucus colleagues. Among them was Red Deer MLA Mary Anne Jablonski, who has been identified as one of the discontented members.
Jablonski told reporters before the meeting that “my thought is always to do the right thing … a leader can only lead if people will follow.”
After the meeting, she declined to comment and could not be reached for an interview.
The same was true of Calgary MLA Neil Brown, who before the meeting said he had concerns with Redford’s leadership — though he added he was not considering a move to sit as an independent.
Sherwood Park MLA Cathy Olesen, believed to be another of the discontented MLAs, ignored questions about whether she supports the premier, saying only that she was working to represent her constituents.
“We had a great caucus meeting today and we’re going to be moving forward … just conversation and being open with each other,” Culture Minister Heather Klimchuk added.
Asked how she would rate caucus’s level of unity, Klimchuk said “fantastic,” though she declined to say if any other Tory MLA planned to cross the floor.
Finance Minister Doug Horner offered some stronger comments before the caucus meeting about his discontented colleagues.
“It’s unfortunate that the noise of a few is overshadowing some very good work in the province, ”Horner said. “But you’re either part of the team or you’re not. I’m pretty cut-and-dried that way.”
Service Alberta Minister Doug Griffiths was asked about some inspirational sayings he posted Friday night on Twitter, including “Never push a loyal person to the point where they no longer give a damn,” and “You can judge the character of a man by the way he treats his inferiors.”
Some observers have suggested the sayings indicate resentment at Redford, though Griffiths refused to confirm that.
“I have posted those motivational sayings for months and months since the flood. Interpret them however you want,” he told reporters brusquely as he went in for question period.