Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney stepped down as member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-Lougheed late Tuesday afternoon.
“Thank you to my constituents for the honor of representing them in Parliament and the Legislature for the past 25 years,” Kenney said in a tweet that also included a statement.
The resignation came two hours after the throne speech for the fall session was read inside the legislature, for which Kenney was not present.
Kenney said he was proud of the work done while he was leader, but with a new government in place under Premier Danielle Smith – who replaced him as leader of the UCP in October – and a provincial election due in May 2023 is coming, now is the best time for him to step aside as MLA.
“This decision brings to an end over 25 years of elected service to Albertans and Canadians,” he said.
“I especially want to thank the people of south Calgary for their support during nine parliamentary and legislative elections, beginning in 1997. Thanks also to the many volunteers, staff members and civil servants who have supported me through the past two and a half decades of public service.”
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Kenney said he hoped to continue to contribute to democratic life, but chose to end his resignation letter with a stark reflection on the state of politics.
“Whatever our flaws or imperfections, Canada and I believe that Alberta is in many ways the envy of the world. This is not an accident of history.”
Kenney went on to provide the following statement:
“We are the inheritors of great institutions built around enduring principles generated by a particular historical context. Our Westminster parliamentary democracy, part of our constitutional monarchy, is the guardian of a unique tradition of ordered liberty and the rule of law, all centered on a belief in the inviolable dignity of the human person and an obligation to the common good. How these principles are applied to any particular issue is a matter for prudent judgment.
“But I am concerned that our democratic life is moving away from ordinary prudential debate towards a polarization that undermines our fundamental institution and principles.
“From the far left we see attempts to cancel our history, delegitimize our historically founded institutions and customs and dangerously divide society along identity lines. And from the right we see a vindictive anger and toxic cynicism that often seeks to tear things down, rather than build and improve our imperfect institutions.”
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“As I conclude 25 years of public service, I do so with gratitude for those who have built this wonderful land of opportunity through their wisdom and sacrifice. And I am hopeful that we will move beyond this time of polarization to renew our common life together in this wonderful land of limitless opportunity.”
Kenney announced his intention to step down as leader of the United Conservative Party in May after receiving 51.4 percent support in his leadership review vote.
Smith was sworn in as the new member for Brooks-Medicine Hat earlier Tuesday after winning a by-election for the seat earlier this month.
It was her first time back on the floor in the legislative chamber since the spring of 2015.
At the time, Smith was with the Progressive Conservatives, having led a mass floor transition of her Wild Rose party months earlier. She failed to win a nomination for the PCs in 2015 and returned to journalism as a radio talk show host for six years.
Kenney remained a backbench UKP legislator until his resignation. It is not yet known when a by-election will be held in Calgary-Lougheed.
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Kenney joins a long list of Conservative leaders in Alberta who have been sidelined in the middle of votes in leadership reviews.
Former Progressive Conservative prime minister Ralph Klein quit after winning 55 percent of the vote in 2006. Ed Stelmach and Alison Redford received 77 percent in their reviews, but stepped down from the top job when the party pushed back.
– With files from The Canadian Press
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