I’m backshe started and began her speech. I am pleased that our large conservative family is united in one space, united and strong.

She thanked the members for giving her a second chance. I will never forget it and I will not let you downsaid the one who had been sharply criticized to get joined the Progressive Conservative Party in 2014 and prompted the Wildrose group to cross the desert.

She also announced she would be sworn in as Prime Minister on Tuesday, replacing Jason Kenney. In his social networks, he soberly congratulated her on her promising victory an orderly transition.

Alberta vs Ottawa

Danielle Smith didn’t wait to speak on the issue dominating the campaign: provincial sovereignty.

” We will not ask Ottawa permission to be prosperous and free. »

The new head of ECP stressed that it wants to develop the province’s resources by becoming an energy superpower. She also raised the issue of vaccination and declined any commitment on this point.

She addressed Canadians directly and invited them to join the vision of a prosperous and free Alberta.

The leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Pierre Poilièvre, reacted very quickly on social media and congratulated the new future prime minister. I look forward to working with you to defend the interests of Alberta and Canadahe wrote.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also sent her his congratulations and invited her to work with him.

Call for conservative unity

Danielle Smith also attacked the leader of the official opposition, Rachel Notley. She criticized him for not opposing Ottawa’s carbon tax and for not denouncing the political priorities of the New Democratic Party. That’s the difference between us. I always prioritize Albertans, no apologies she said to applause from members assembled in Calgary.

Whoever you’ve supported, let’s unite. […] Albertans want us to succeed […]but they will no longer tolerate our internal strugglesShe added.

” I make a clean slate. members have spoken. »

The politician has promised to respect the date of the next state elections, which will be held at the end of May 2023.

The new head of ECP He also addressed his six former rivals, mentioning the qualities of each one. She reinstated Independent MP Todd Loewen in the Conservative caucus.

long evening

Despite being the leader throughout the campaign, it took Danielle Smith six ballots to win. the ECP uses a preference election, meaning voters had ranked the candidates in order of preference.

In the finals, she faced former Treasury Secretary Travis Toews. She beat him with 53.8% of the vote.

Almost 85,000 votes from members of the ECP were recorded. Some 124,000 ballots had been sent out, and party members could vote in advance by mail or in person Thursday morning.

Final clap for Jason Kenney

However, the evening did not mark the end of Jason Kenney’s political career. The former federal MP has announced his intention to at least temporarily fill his post as provincial MP for Calgary-Lougheed horseback riding.

The longtime politician has announced his resignation in mid-May, after a vote of confidence, which he nonetheless won. He then stated that his departure was to restore unity within the Alberta Conservatives.

months of campaigning

This evening concludes a more than four month campaign to replace Jason Kenney. Former Treasury Secretary Travis Toews was the first to start in the lead race at the end of May.

Two other former ministers, Rajan Sawhney and Rebecca Schulz, have also left the government to take part in the race. The party also confirmed the nominations of Chestermere-Strathmore MP Leela Aheer, Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche MP Brian Jean, former Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith and Independent MP Todd Loewen.

Polls and political commentators were quick to place Danielle Smith in the lead. His Alberta Sovereignty Act and the associated criticism dominated the election campaign months.