Notley responds to Smith winning UCP leadership race

The United Conservative Party has a new leader. She is 51-year-old Danielle Smith. The former leader of the Wildrose Party of Alberta beat out former finance minister Travis Toews on the 6th ballot. Smith had around 53 per cent of the vote compared to Toews’ 46 per cent.

Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley offered up a congratulatory message to the new UCP leader Danielle Smith. She also says there will be turbulent times for Albertans leading up to the next provincial election.

“These next seven months will bring more chaos, more costs and more conflict. Smith has made it plain that the real issues Alberta families are struggling with are of no interest to her. Instead, she’s preoccupied with a so called Sovereignty Act. At best, it’s a fake. Another strongly worded letter to Ottawa. At worst, it will destroy jobs, destroy investor confidence, and stifle Alberta’s economy at a critical moment. On healthcare, Smith has lots of plans to fire people, but no idea about how to hire the frontline professionals we so desperately need.”