At a quietly-called 8:00 am press availability this morning held outside the Premier’s Office in the Legislature, PC Leader and Premier Alison Redford announced the first of what she indicated would be several policies intended to “modernize the party and make it more transparent and relevant” to Albertans.
Responding to criticisms about the method through which her party chooses leaders, Redford was quick to point out that Albertans have a right to know what they’re getting when a contender steps forward for her party’s crown.
“Albertans have said, loud and clear, that the preferential balloting system prescribed in our party’s current constitution is not only outdated, but arcane. They also want a clear indication of who is up to the task of running an exhausting provincial election campaign, and 12 leadership debates is not the way to go about that”.
Redford went on to announce the new method of selecting a PC Leader, which will be implemented for the first time following her retirement from the position.
“Albertans love our fiercely beautiful natural landscapes. Chief among them, though, are our Rocky Mountains. They also love television with an element of outdoor adventure, such as Survivor and Mantracker. The race for PC Leader from this point forward will be entertaining, will be an opportunity to fundraise for the party, and will result in a clear and decisive winner.”
Contenders for the PC leadership will be dropped off at the base of Kananaskis Country’s Mount Lougheed, west of Calgary, with a small first aid kit and 500 ml of filtered water. Each contender will be followed by a 2-person camera crew, and the race will be broadcast live on CTV2 (formerly Access TV), with commercial proceeds going to the party’s election war chest. The first contender to successfully summit Mount Lougheed and claim the party flag that will be placed at the top will be crowned the new Leader of the Progressive Conservative party.
After the press availability, Calgary-Lougheed MLA Dave Rodney, who could be seen grinning throughout the announcement, had obtained a tape measure and was measuring the drapes in the Premier’s office. Rodney had no comment as of press time.
