EDMONTON — Alberta’s Wildrose party has unanimously rejected former leader Danielle Smith’s “reunification proposal” and will begin a new leadership selection process in early 2015.
President David Yager has stepped down and will now serve as vice-president of fundraising. He will be replaced by Jeff Callaway, who previously served as president from 2008 to 2010.
The party rejected suggestions from Smith and Tory Premier Jim Prentice that nine MLA floor-crossings Wednesday mark a “unification” of Alberta’s small-c conservatives.
“At no time has the Wildrose Party been approached by any representative of the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta regarding a merger, combination, partnership or alliance. Nothing like this has ever been discussed between the two respective organizations,” the party said in a statement.
“(These) events are confined to nine former Wildrose MLAs who opted to cross the floor without consulting with the Wildrose Party.”
The party remains strong, officials said, with five MLAs, 22,000 members, hundreds of volunteers and thousands of donors. In 2013, the party garnered $3 million in donations.
“Dave Yager and I have been committed to this party for several years and we remain committed to its members, policies, caucus, and most importantly, Albertans who deserve a principled and fiscally conservative option to vote for,” Callaway said in a statement.
“Providing positive solutions and earning the trust of Albertans before, during, and after an election is more important than any personal position or ambition.”
An interim leader will be named in the coming days.
Alberta Premier Jim Prentice said Thursday that an emissary from Wildrose approached his team a month ago to pitch a group floor crossing.
Prentice says he was surprised by the offer and let his whip handle negotiations until they progressed to the point for him to meet face-to-face with Smith a week ago.
The move has gutted Alberta’s Official Opposition, leaving the Wildrose with just five seats compared with 72 for Prentice and his Progressive Conservatives.
Edmonton Journal, with files from The Canadian Press
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Source:: National Post
