What to Expect
More UCP leadership hopefuls are expected to launch this week. Minister of Transportation Rajan Sawhney announced she was joining the race on Monday, and Minister of Children’s Services Rebecca Schulz announced she is doing likewise this morning. Brian Jean is officially launching his campaign tomorrow. And there are rumours that Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner may join the fray. It is shaping up to be a crowded field, with at least eight candidates. This may make it harder for a clear frontrunner to emerge.
Meanwhile, the government will roll out announcements. You can expect some new initiatives to be announced as the UCP Priorities Implementation Cabinet Committee met yesterday in Calgary. Southern Alberta is also facing flood risk this week, which will take some of government’s attention.
The Week That Was
The Alberta government has launched the new advisory council, the Minister’s Advisory Council of Higher Education and Skills (MACHES). It will be responsible for advising the Minister on the trajectory of the province’s post-secondary system and measure performance. The committee members are as follows:
- James Barmby (chair)
- Frank Cotae
- Darshana Dave
- David Finch
- Glen Jones
- Denis Ram
- Anne Rimmer
- Terry Rock
- Elka Walsh
The government, in partnership with Counselling Alberta, will be providing virtual mental health services across Alberta and begin developing partnerships with local organizations to increase affordability for in-person services.
The provincial government is dedicating $23 million to the University of Calgary’s strategic partnership with the University of Alberta and University of Lethbridge, supporting their goal of developing a Quantum City at the University of Calgary.
The United Conservative Party’s Leadership Election Committee has released the rules, procedures, and mechanisms under which the 2022 Leadership Election is to be conducted. The deadline for applicants to apply to the leadership contest is Friday, July 29, while supporters have until August 12 to join or renew their membership. The Leadership Election officially commenced on May 19, and the party’s new leader will be announced on Thursday, October 6. The official rules and procedures can be found here.
