Todd Lowen has resigned as the Chair of the United Conservative Party of Alberta's caucus and demanded the resignation of Premier Jason Kenney. This is a copy of the letter sent out by Todd Lowen to the entire caucus demanding Kenney step down.
00:00:49.980Dear Premier Kenney, it is with a heavy heart that I must inform you of my decision to step down as UCP caucus chair.
00:00:59.660I have copied all members of caucus to inform them as well.
00:01:03.740I no longer believe that caucus can function properly, meetings have been cancelled without members' consent, significant decisions of government have been made without notice to members, and our input as elected members is rarely considered.
00:01:21.480Additionally, I feel it is best to resign this position to be able to speak freely.
00:01:31.900The government's response to a hostile federal government has been perceived as weak and ineffective.
00:01:39.020Negotiations with physicians were not handled well.
00:01:43.320The government's action on the eastern slopes did not align with the expectations and values of Albertans.
00:01:49.700Albertans have lost trust in the leadership of our government and are no longer willing to extend us any benefit of the doubt on most issues.
00:02:00.680This makes it difficult for members to enact our policy agenda while effectively representing the concerns and interests of our constituents.
00:02:09.620The caucus dysfunction we are presently experiencing is a direct result of your leadership.
00:02:18.620Messaging from your government has been contradictory, confusing, and needlessly inflammatory.
00:02:27.900Alberta now faces a troubling economic crisis with historically high unemployment, dying small businesses, and staggering levels of debt.
00:02:39.620The people of Alberta have lost trust in this government because you have not brought needed balance and reason to the discussion.
00:02:48.960Albertans and our UCP party members deserve better.
00:02:53.780Albertans perceive our government as out of touch and arrogant, and they expect our caucus to bring their issues of concern to the government.
00:03:01.920Many of us have tried to do so repeatedly, only to be ignored and dismissed.
00:03:10.200When the Premier chooses not to listen to caucus, is it any wonder why the people choose to stop listening to the government?
00:03:20.700Our supporters and those I represent can no longer tolerate this.
00:03:26.120These folks have not abandoned the principles and values of the UCP.
00:03:35.180Personally, I have helped build the conservative movement in this province for 13 years, and have served faithfully as a public servant.
00:03:44.560I still uphold the principles and values under which I was elected.
00:03:49.780I believe I still represent the will of the party's grassroots, and wish to make it clear that I am not leaving the party.
00:03:57.920My constituents overwhelmingly believe in a strong united party, and I must represent that belief.
00:04:06.420Along with so many Albertans, our understanding was that we in the UCP had united around shared principles, integrity, and common sense approaches to government.
00:04:18.840In short, in Alberta, we did not unite around blind loyalty to one man.
00:04:29.400And while you promoted unity, it is clear that unity is falling apart.
00:04:33.960I know that many Albertans, including myself, no longer have confidence in your leadership.
00:04:40.760I thank you for your service, but I am asking that you resign so that we can begin to put the province back together again.
00:04:50.120Sincerely, signed, Todd Lowen, MLA, copied to all UCP caucus members.
00:04:58.440We will be following this story throughout the day, hopefully we can get an interview with MLA Lowen as well as some of the other UCP MLAs who may have comment and perhaps follow suit.