The Alberta Party echos province-wide frustration with the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline. While Premier Kenney and Prime Minister Trudeau should continue to advocate for the re-issue of permits for Keystone XL, focus on constructing the Trans Mountain pipeline and getting Canadian products to market must not be lost.

The Alberta Party calls for a delay in the process of approval for new open pit coal mines on the Eastern Slopes. 

Throughout the pandemic, Premier Kenney has taken less stringent public health measures than other Premiers. Rather than government mandates, he’s relied on Albertans exercising “personal responsibility.” He’s called for Albertans to voluntarily make the choices that will protect their neighbours from this deadly pandemic.

Unfortunately, those closest to him have failed to be responsible. But we trust Albertans to behave better than the so-called leaders Jason Kenney has surrounded himself with.

Albertans have made tremendous sacrifices. Through this holiday season, they’ve chosen to skip visiting with aging grandparents and newborn grandkids. They’ve given up family dinners, new years parties, and so much more. Most have taken government messaging to “stay home” to heart.

Which makes it outrageous to see a Minister and senior UCP political staffers vacationing in Hawaii while the province cautions Albertans to “avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada.” And disconcerting to hear rumours that other key UCP members have also been travelling over the holidays.

Over the coming days, there are going to be loud calls for Jason Kenney to follow the lead of Premier Ford and fire those who chose to flout travel restrictions. We support these calls.

However, they must not overshadow something even more important: the need for everyday Albertans to continue to fight this pandemic.

Acting Alberta Party Leader, Jacquie Fenske: “Leaders within the UCP have failed the ‘Personal Responsibility’ test. But I’ve always had a lot more faith in Albertans than I have in this government. Fortunately, everyday Albertans are rising above the UCP’s poor example. I trust most of us will continue to do our part to protect our neighbours.”

Our first priority must be to safeguard lives. We also want our economy to fully open again as quickly as possible. These will only happen if everyday Albertans rise above the examples being set by the UCP.