Jason Kenney has avoided saying much about the United Conservative Party contest that will see him replaced as leader and prime minister this October. “I’m not going to be a color commentator on the leadership election,” he says. But at times, he can’t help himself. That was on full display as Mr. Kenney attacked a political cornerstone of Danielle Smith’s Let’s Put Alberta First campaign over the weekend. And Ms Smith, who is seen by many as one of the frontrunners in the contest, did not hesitate to tell the Prime Minister to stay out of it, claiming how many members of the party support her plan. With two months to go before the leadership question is decided, it shows how deep the divisions within the UCP still are. On Saturday, Mr. Kenney got the question he must have wanted to answer for a long time. Speaking on his weekly show on Corus Radio, someone messaged to ask him about the idea of a “so-called” sovereignty law. The idea has been closely linked to Ms Smith’s campaign. There was no compensation on his part. “Alberta would be a laughing stock.” He said the idea of legislation that would allow the province not to enforce federal laws, including the Criminal Code, “is crazy.” “The proposal is basically Alberta ignoring and violating the Constitution in a way that is unprecedented in Canadian history,” he said. The province should focus on realistic, practical ways to fight Ottawa’s unfair policies. There is also no doubt that Mr. Kenney was prepared for this question (which he explained he would only answer because it was about politics, not the leadership race). He had an opinion piece criticizing the idea of the Sovereignty Act, and Mrs. Smith, in his hands to quote. Opinion: Danielle Smith’s strange, dangerous campaign to become Alberta premier On Sunday, Smith’s campaign responded, saying – in short – Mr Kenney should stay out of the leadership race. Ms Smith said she would urge Mr Kenny to “focus on being the voice for the unity of the party” and for the party’s leadership process to proceed without interference from the “acting” prime minister. “With respect, the Prime Minister’s comments on the Sovereignty Act are premature, ill-informed and disrespectful to a large and growing majority of UCP members who support this important initiative,” she said in a statement. “Albertans are tired of seeing Justin Trudeau and Ottawa continually infringe on the rights and freedoms of Albertans and want a leader who will unapologetically stand up and defend our province,” he continued. “If elected to replace him as leader and prime minister,” he will work with MLAs to ensure the Sovereignty Act is drafted, passed and implemented “in accordance with sound constitutional language and principles.” The clock is ticking down on Mr. Kenney’s radio shows and his time as leader. He revealed this weekend during the radio show that he would like to stay on as the MLA for Calgary-Lougheed, even after stepping down as premier, and has “no intention” of ever seeking the leadership of the federal Conservatives. He also talked about his strategy for fighting federal policy moves that he believes are getting into trouble for commodity producers, noting that the Alberta government is fighting Ottawa’s plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions from synthetic nitrogen fertilizers by 30 percent below 2020 levels by 2030. Many farmers argue that greater pressure on the country’s agricultural sector, while global food systems are upended by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, droughts and the COVID-19 supply crisis will lead to even higher costs and actual shortages. “I want to encourage Canadians, as normal people, if you think food prices are already too high and you don’t want to see people in the developing world starve to death, please speak up and help us stop the madness. ” said Mr. Kenney. The difference in strategy in the battle with Ottawa can be confusing to some outside the province or to non-conservatives. But there is never any doubt within the UCP that federal policy decisions are often, or largely, out of step with the realities on the ground of energy or food production, centered around much of Western Canada. The debate among the UCP is what is the best way to challenge Ottawa. While Mr. Kenney has often led the provinces in fighting federal intrusion, Ms. Smith argues Alberta governments have been too passive in fighting Ottawa’s policies. Her replacement campaign has won donations and support, even from some UCP MPs who initially supported her opponent, former Alberta Finance Minister Travis Tuss. Mr. Toews is a fixture. He has attracted endorsements from almost half the UCP caucus and is understood to have been part of Mr Kenney’s inner circle. His campaign pitch is that he is a “serious, credible” leader and the legal uncertainty that could arise from Ms. Smith’s planned legislation “has the potential to create economic chaos in rural Alberta.” But he will continue to address issues such as the fight to ensure the federal equalization formula that expires in 2024 is renegotiated for fairness to Alberta or to lay the groundwork for a provincial pension plan. The Prime Minister has not formally endorsed any leadership candidate, but it is clear that he will weigh in on some of the political battles. His comments on the Sovereignty Act and Ms Smith’s response show deep rifts remain in the UCP – even as members try to present a united front ahead of May’s provincial election. We have a weekly Western Canada newsletter written by our BC and Alberta bureau chiefs, providing a comprehensive package of the news you need to know about the region and its position on the issues facing Canada. Sign up today.
