Unity a key message as UCP leadership candidate Travis Toews visits Lethbridge

Toews said one of the keys to his platform is unity and strong leadership.

He stated, “What I’m hearing on the ground is so many Conservative-minded Albertans are really believing that unity is critical heading into this stage.”

“I always say this: the best way to know how an individual will lead is to take a look at how they led.”

Toews explained, saying, “I think a lot of Conservative members are taking a look at our track records right now. I believe that right now as a party, we need to elect a leader who can bring strong, principled, proven leadership, leadership that can unite this movement [and] win the election in [2023].”

Toews cited some ways he would differentiate himself from Jason Kenney if elected leader of the party and premier of the province.

“Certainly, there’s a number of policies that I’ve already put forward that are new and novel.”

Toews said, “Certainly, within agriculture – streamlining and making a Class One training process much more streamlined for the drivers of farm-plated Class One transport trucks.”

He added, “I brought forward the concept of a 12 per cent non-refundable corporate tax credit for new agriculture manufacturing processing investment in Alberta to improve the competitiveness of the agriculture processing sector in Alberta.”

“There’s a couple of things right now, right there that I would do differently.”

Toews said that fiscal discipline is also top of mind for him.

“We’ve got $93 billion of taxpayer-supported debt that will need to be paid off as it comes due, because if we have to go to capital markets to pay it off, we could be doing so at twice the cost of capital. Fiscal discipline will continue to matter, and I commit to bringing that to the province,” Toews said.

The candidate added that if chosen as leader, he would “push the reset button” for ousted UCP members Drew Barnes and Todd Loewen, as a show of unity within the party.

Barnes and Loewen were booted from the party in the spring of 2021.

“For my part, I would certainly welcome them back into caucus,” Toews said.

Toews said all MLAs must have a voice and “all need to be heard.”

“I would ensure that every MLA has the opportunity to bring the views of their constituents to the caucus table, pound the table [and] advocate for their constituents. I will not only tolerate divergent views; I’ll welcome them to that table.”

Toews said that in addition to all MLAs having a voice, all Albertans should have a voice. That’s why Toews said as the campaign nears its end, he has been touring across the province meeting with Albertans and members of the UCP to hear their concerns and ideas.

“We need to ensure that all Albertans have a voice. Unity is absolutely critical,” he said.

Travis Toews speaks to community members at the Rocky Mountain Turf Club in Lethbridge on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Photo: D. Stremick-LNN)

TOEWS REACTS TO PIERRE POILIEVRE WIN

Toews also reacted to the election of Pierre Poilievre as the new leader of the federal Conservative party.

He said he was happy that Poilievre won by a landslide.

“I think that bodes well for our federal party and the unity within our federal party,” Toews remarked.

He added that a change in regime is needed in Ottawa and believes that Poilievre “understands the challenges and the opportunities in Alberta.”

“He understands and knows the importance of our energy industry and our resource-based economy here in the province and he knows and understands how important that economic contribution is, not only to Alberta, but for the nation as a whole.”

More information on the UCP leadership race is available at the United Conservative Party website.

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by Justin Goulet

Unity a key message as UCP leadership candidate Travis Toews visits Lethbridge

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