United Conservative Party (UCP) leadership candidate Jason Kenney paid a visit to the Peace Country on Monday, September 18, 2017.
The Trending 55 Newsroom caught up with Kenney at the Sawridge Inn in Peace River.
He had earlier spent the morning in La Crete, and would head to Grande Prairie later on.
UCP leadership candidate Jason Kenney speaking to the crowd at Peace River’s Sawridge Inn. (Photo/Peace River Broadcasting)
Kenney was asked what his plans are if he wins the leadership in October, and then the premiership in 2019.
“I think Albertans want experience to hit the ground running on Day #1,” said Kenney. “We need to make all the big changes to undo the damage of the NDP. Northern Alberta is going to be a critical part in the renewal of our province, and I’m just excited to see so much support up here.”
After saying a speech to assembled conservatives, he then took questions from the audience, where he listed come of the key priorities of what a Kenney government would do.
“First, I would call an extraordinary summer session, where I would then table Bill One, which would repeal the province’s Carbon Tax,” he told the audience. “I would then instruct the attorney general to join (Saskatchewan Premier) Brad Wall’s lawsuit against the federal government if they do try to impose a national carbon tax on us.”
The crowd listens as Kenney speaks at Peace River’s Sawridge Inn. (Photo/Peace River Broadcasting)
He was also asked about how the north could see more revenue per GDP for the resources they produce.
“I grew up in a small town in rural Saskatchewan,” said Kenney. “I understand the challenges of rural life, as well as in the smaller cities. Even though 60 percent of people live in the cities, a huge chunk of the revenue comes from the rest of the province.
“So, as a result, the per capita GDP in rural Alberta is much higher than in the cities,” he continued. “So yes, I do think that there needs to be recognition of the unique costs and wealth production outside of the two major cities, and it is more expensive to maintain rural infrastructure than it is in the urban areas, and I absolutely do believe the rural areas should have extra funding for their infrastructure.”
A variety of issues were also discussed, including concerns about issues ranging from discovery education to doctor-assisted suicide.
All in all, Kenney told the Trending 55 Newsroom that the response and feedback he has gotten has been very positive.
“I think that (the Wildrose and PCs) have united into one big party, the NDP is one and done,” he said. “The message is that Albertans want to recreate the Alberta Advantage, and to once again be the job creation engine in Canada.”
Kenney says the party has now sold more than 80-thousand memberships across the province, and expected that number to grow to more than 100-thousand soon.
The leadership vote itself is set to take place on October 28. 2017.
– Posted by BET
