Premier Jason Kenney speaking during Friday's press conference. (Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Leadership Vote

Kenney calls out “extreme” members of movement trying to kick him out as Premier

Mar 25, 2022 | 5:46 PM

Alberta’s Premier says the UCP is a mainstream conservative party, and he intends to keep it that way.

Jason Kenney was asked a question at a press conference Friday afternoon about a recording in which Kenney told his caucus that “the lunatics are trying to take over the asylum and I’m not going to let them.”

UCP members are set to take part in a leadership review vote on April 9 that could see him ousted as party leader, and therefore, premier.

Kenney responded by saying that he respects that some Albertans are frustrated and want a change in leadership, but some are taking things too far.

“At the same time, I have seen a growing number of voices from the far margins of Alberta politics that are, I would say, extreme, and have been trying to get involved in the leadership process in our party. That does concern me.”

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Kenney provided a couple of examples of what he was talking about.

During the March 21, 2022 announcement that Walmart would be building a fulfillment centre near Calgary, the premier said that the top comment on his Facebook post accused him and Walmart of colluding with the World Economic Forum on a human trafficking operation.

Kenney claims that the person who wrote the above comment had committed to voting against him in the leadership vote.

In another, he said one person who is registered for the vote called him a “Jew-loving Great Reset tyrant” who is headed to the Nuremberg trial.

Others have allegedly made anti-Islamic statements, among other sentiments that Kenney says are not welcome in his political party.

“I know that these marginal voices do not represent Albertans. They certainly do not represent the United Conservative Party, but I am determined to ensure that such hateful, extreme, and divisive voices do not find a home in this mainstream, broad, conservative party.”

In addition to those in the general public who are UCP members, some elected officials in Kenney’s own party have been calling for his resignation.

Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie calls the decision to change the April 9 leadership review vote from in-person to mail-in “reeks of desperation,” and that it’s time to call an immediate leadership race and find someone else to take the helm.

Jason Stephan, MLA for Red Deer-South, believes the change shows that Kenney leads through fear, division, and demonization, and that the premier has lost the trust and respect of Albertans.

Newly-elected MLA Brian Jean fears that the vote will be rampant with cheating and fraud. He plans to send a complaint to Elections Alberta and an arbitration request with the UCP.

Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley, who spoke in Lethbridge on Thursday, unsuccessfully trying to force a vote of non-confidence on the new provincial budget.