Travis Toews on his ranch near Beaverlodge, AB. (Leah Murray)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Focus On A Shared Vision

Travis Toews announces run for UCP leadership

May 31, 2022 | 1:03 PM

Alongside family and friends, Travis Toews announced on May 31, 2022 that he will be seeking the leadership of the United Conservative Party.

Toews resigned as Alberta’s finance minister earlier today before launching his leadership campaign.

“I am inspired by our movement, which is why I ran in 2019, and I believe that Albertans and our members can be inspired again,” said Toews. “I’m running to lead our party back to the foundations that united us. It’s time to lay aside our differences to focus on our shared vision – a hopeful future for our children and grandchildren, on the foundation of a free and prosperous Alberta.”

Former Wildrose Party leaders Brian Jean (JEEN) and Danielle Smith have both said they will run for Kenney’s job, but aren’t officially in the race yet. The party is working out the logistics of when it will vote on a replacement for Jason Kenney.

Toews is a born and raised Albertan. A self-described businessman, community advocate, and most importantly, a proud husband, father and grandfather, Toews is said to be inspired by the member-driven United Conservative Party’s focus on defending the freedom, opportunity, and prosperity of Alberta.

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After a career spanning nearly two decades as a CPA and CMA in a public accounting firm, Toews and his wife Kim built and managed a family cattle ranching business and an environmental services company in Northern Alberta. A campaign spokesperson says he’s dedicated considerable time to provincial and national industry boards, including being elected in 2010 as the President of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.

In 2019, Toews was elected by the people of Grande Prairie-Wapiti to serve as their Member of Alberta’s Legislative Assembly. He also recently served as Alberta’s President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance, where he is said to have restored fiscal balance to the government’s books for the first time since 2014.

A campaign spokesperson says Toews looks forward to connecting with Albertans from across the province to discuss the values that matter to them, and what they expect from their leaders.

“We must lead with strength and humility and return to the values that define us. We must take time to listen – to our members and to all Albertans, and we must learn from our missteps,” added Toews. “We are better together, stronger in our diversity and in our unity.”

For more information about Toews, and to find out why he’s running, visit ToewsforAlberta.ca.

You can read the transcript from Toews’ campaign launch video here.

(With files from The Canadian Press)