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UCP leader Jason Kenney unveils leadership team ahead of fall legislative session

Oct 30, 2017 | 12:30 PM

EDMONTON – Newly elected United Conservative Party leader Jason Kenney unveiled his leadership team today from the media room at the Alberta Legislature.

Chestermere-Rocky View MLA Leela Aheer has been named deputy leader, Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre Jason Nixon house leader, Calgary-Hays MLA Ric McIver whip, Airdrie MLA Angela Pitt deputy house leader, and Calgary-Greenway MLA Prab Gill deputy whip.

Kenney doesn’t currently hold a seat in the legislature, but he expects to begin his campaign for a seat soon as Calgary-Lougheed MLA Dave Rodney announced on Sunday, Oct. 29 that he will be stepping down to allow Kenney to run for his seat.

Missing from the leadership team was former Wildrose Party leader Brian Jean, who finished second in the UCP leadership race to Kenney. The first question from the media scrum after Kenney’s announcement was about Jean, and Kenney says they had a productive conversation last night.

“I understand he’s going to be in the legislature today as he committed to in the election. I don’t want to exchange private information or conversations, but I’ve reinforced for Brian how important he is to our team as I did on Saturday night,” Kenney continued. “I gave him praise for his sacrificial leadership in helping to create this united caucus and I certainly hope that he will be an important player in the future of conservative politics in Alberta.”

Kenney also added that he will be announcing critic portfolios for party members later this week, joking that he’s only had 36 hours on the job already and needed some more time.

The fall sitting of the Alberta Legislature resumes today in Edmonton. 

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