Former premier Jason Kenney, who co-founded Alberta’s governing United Conservative Party, says separatists have infiltrated it and are wielding an outsized influence.
Kenney, speaking to business leaders in Edmonton alongside his former political rival Rachel Notley, said Tuesday that after the province’s Alberta referendum separation vote the party will face a “reckoning.”
He said the UCP needs to decide whether it stands on its founding federalist principles, and if so, separatists need to be shown the door.
“There’s no doubt that those folks have infiltrated (the party),” Kenney said at an Edmonton Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
“They’re welcome to participate in democracy, but if their primary goal is separation, then they have to do it in a separatist party,” he said.
Kenney’s conservatives defeated Notley’s NDP government in 2019.
Kenney stepped down in the spring of 2022 after he receiving 51.4 per cent support in a leadership review, which came amid frustration in his party over COVID-19 restrictions.
Premier Danielle Smith took over as UCP leader in the fall of 2022.
Kenney said Tuesday many of the same hard-right Albertans angered by COVID “conspiracy theories” became organized and have moved on to the next fight — separation.
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Kenney’s comments come as advance polls open and Albertans vote on 10 questions in a referendum ahead of the final polling day Monday.
The key question asks whether the province should stay in Canada or hold a second, binding referendum on leaving the country.
Notley and Kenney have united in a campaign to keep the province from quitting Canada.
Kenney said it appears the majority of the UCP caucus is committed to Canada.
“But, there is clearly a problem that the folks who used to run these marginal separatist parties got tired of getting pummeled with one or two per cent of the vote,” he said.
He also pointed to Quebec, where he said it would be unthinkable to hold a referendum on secession without an explicit mandate from the people in an election.
“We should have at least as much respect for the democratic process here as Quebec separatists do there,” he said.
Notley agreed, saying the UCP needs to do some soul-searching to understand how “such a small tail on an otherwise completely respectable dog” has garnered the influence it has.
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Speaking to reporters later Tuesday, Kenney said the UCP would not even exist as a party had loyalty to Canada not been agreed to by its founding parties.
“The commitment is clear, and separatists trying to infiltrate a federalist party are fundamentally dishonest and disrespectful of democracy,” he said.
He added that while as UCP leader, he invalidated some three dozen would-be candidates from running in the 2019 election because they had a record of advocating for separatism.
“You’re either for Canada, national unity, or you’re not, and if you’re still a citizen, you’re welcome to be involved in democracy. Go and do that in a separatist party,” said Kenney.
When asked to comment on Smith’s leadership, and willingness to accept separatism advocates in her caucus and party, Kenney declined to weigh in.
“I don’t want to be a Monday morning quarterback,” he said.
“When this is all over, I hope that the party that was elected twice as a federalist party, that was founded on federalist principles, will clearly be a federalist party.”
Notely, however, said the rest of Alberta is being “held hostage” by a small segment of the population.
She said Smith needs to eject members of caucus and cabinet who will not commit to staying in Canada.
“That’s exactly what the leader should do, and in failing to do that she is abdicating her obligation to Albertans and to Canadians.”
Smith has repeatedly said she will vote in favour of staying in Canada.
Despite some of her caucus members supporting separation or declining to say where they stand, Smith has emphasized that her party and government take the position that they support staying in Canada.
Smith has said every political party has a range of diverse views, but the majority view wins the day.
They can’t kick us out of our own homes for having a difference of opinion..
REALLY!! Shame on you people..
Danielle’s turds are smarter than both of them
Is Kenney’s pension not covering his expenses that he feels he needs to come back? No one wants him back and hismopinions really are irrelevant.
D Smith wicked witch of the west.
Whatever the outcome of this referendum, I’m just glad I had the chance to be part of the movement. Yes, we are the minority, and we’re called traitors and worse but at least WE HAD THE BALLS to tell Ottawa what we think of them.
Even if the separation doesn’t happen this time, at least they now know we’re not going to be ignored and taken for granted anymore.
Once you set something this important in motion, it gives others hope as well.
Other provinces are hurting, not just Alberta. Maybe next time and, believe me, it is possible, they will join Alberta and stand up to parasites in the East.
As a FORMER premier, Kenney needs to shut up and stay out of it all. He wasn’t re-elected because he flip-flopped on his own promises so whatever he says today doesn’t mean much.
UCP sure wasted money on this schlock.
Kenney’s always guaranteed to show up for a luncheon.
We’ll expel you, Jason. You were a failure!
Rachel Notley and Jason Kenney are both best known for the total destruction of their respective parties. Both best known for corruption and arrogant division. Was only a matter of time until these two parasitic anti-canadian low lives joined forced. Lets be real. Nobody is using either of their names anymore their egos cannot stand it. Mr Kenny. GTFO of Alberta. You are not welcome here.
Jason Kenney is the reason I will never vote conservative again :)I can’t support any party that aligns with his basement values.
These 2 will be the first out the exit door.
Buh-bye.
Alberta out!!!
Too many commentators fall into the trap of painting groups with the same brush.
Plenty of those who favour separation are not far right covid conspiracy theorists, just like not all Remain supports are Liberal bootlicks.
Jason Kenney is a nobody in Alberta or Canada. His comments mean nothing.
Kenny and his NDP are selling their souls to the Liberals.
We are being strapped over a barrel and paying for it for 121 years , we are stopping the GRAVY TRAIN!!!!!!
No more Money for the east that Screws Alberta!!!!
Separatists isn’t a movement or ideology. Its the “I’ve had enough” in the relationship with federal government and eastern canada. This isn’t fixable or forgettable or forgivable.
Irreconcilable differences.
Go out and vote people
I C KENNEY HASNT CHANGED HIS COLORS ! COVID CONSPIRACY! THATS WHY HE ISNT RUNNING ALBERTA ! AND OLD SADDLE FACE , WELL NO COMENT NEEDED ! AND AS FOR TRUE ALBERTA PATRIOTS IN THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY I WOULD SOONER HAVE THEM THEN THE DOOMSDAY CREW FROM OUT EAST !
Kenney talks about people that want freedom from the oppression of the east and a return to democracy as some sort of mental disorder. A lot of people hate democracy when they don’t get their way.
I hope that the vote for independence goes through just to shut Kenney up.
You first Corey. Answer the question no federalist will: why is AB better off in Confederation. Remember: no answers of fear, uncertainty and doubt about the ramifications of separation. Why is AB better off being in Confederation?
And his discredited career gives him authorirty? He gonna say how we need to nationalize O+G again because of his commitment to free enterprise? Have another doughnut
I lived in alberta all my life .it was a great place 30 to 40 years ago . Everything was cheap .Plenty of land .houses jobs . No packed hospitals no immigrants taking over . ALBERTA NEEDS TO SEPARATE
If anyone gets expelled it’s those two POS traitors!
Kunny, natly, who are they? Made porn movies together?
WE albertans need to start by EXPELLING Kenney BACK TO eastern canada where he was born an easterner. They seem to be making the most noise about Alberta wanting to leave behind all their demands on us all after all these years of telling us all what to do and how to do it. Just like now.
I worked oil and gas industry for fifteen years, Alberta and Canada could have been an ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE , but here we are
Bought off policies beholden to their Ottawa leash handler.
@ Cory 6:49.
Good luck in putting in comments that mean something. The hatred from Separatists will come fast and often as that is all that makes them feel important.
Then the Liberals will tell you how crazy you are if you don’t agree with them.
Just go out and vote and be positive as some or most of them mess will hopefully be put away for a while.
Will be interesting to see how the floor crossing Wildrose Premier will flip flop after the results come in.
Cheers and watch the hate comments come out as they always do and will!
You lib swallowers are as DUMB as bag of rocks, born DUMB , DIE DUMB!
@ Joe keys, open your eyes are you blind and dumb!
Keep scking carnholes dck kunny, you piece of dog shat
Reading the comments i notice how easy it is to disagree and disparage. What I dont see is any comments regarding what a separation looks like realistically. Its an unrealistic, virtually impossible task. The time and energy going through the process would immediately eclipse any sort of benefit. Even if we managed to circumvent the indigenous issues, and releasing our pentions. Im not confident that we would see any benefits for decades.
Two fools that couldn’t run a province . Now we are to listen to them?
Ucp leader with red underwear on. Get bent Kenny
All the usual negative comments from people who just like to complain. Think positive, your life will be better for it.
@B 11.06 you are a trader to Alberta leave go to Ontario you pos !
Buncha nuts that deserve each other
this is a sign not to stay in Canada when these two idiots team up
Pair of traitors
They are going to tell the Chamber of Commerce that if Alberta separates and taxes go down, regulations go down, red tape goes down that businesses and investment will run away?
Riiiight…
Amazing that Notley can show her face in this province after her clown show leadership.
Randal turncoat!
Then leave, randal, we dont want your unpatriotic a** here anyway
That says it all. If Jason Kenney and Rachel Notley are FOR staying in Canada, something is wrong staying in Canada.
Only reason Kenny got in was to remove the evil witch Notley. Pair of clowns.
Isn’t Nutley still Hooking??