PENHOLD - The Alberta Progressive Conservative Party has chosen a new leader with a new direction and local PCs could not be happier.
Jason Kenney, 49, a former federal cabinet minister and member of Parliament for Calgary Southeast, is that new leader following the provincial PC leadership convention in Calgary on March 17 and 18.
Mike Walsh, president of the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake PC Constituency Association, said many party members are excited for the future with Kenney as leader.
"I heard several times at the convention, from long-time PC members, that the atmosphere at the convention hasn't felt like this since the Ralph Klein days," said Walsh. "With such enthusiasm and excitement for the future.
"The one thing that I've heard several times is people are really impressed with Mr. Kenney's work ethic. He's never sitting and waiting," he added. "He won the leadership and he's right to work on the unity part of his proposal."
A total of 15 delegates from the constituency association attended the leadership convention in Calgary.
"I think most of us feel that it's time to come back and be a big, conservative party again," said Walsh.
Dennis Cooper, former president of the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake constituency association and a delegate at the leadership convention, said he has full confidence in Kenney to lead the party.
"As a delegate I had a chance to cast my ballot and move forward with the change Jason Kenney is bringing forward," said Cooper. "Right now we're all optimistic and open-minded and we're in the process of trying to move our party forward."
Cooper noted Kenney ran his campaign with the promise to unite the right.
"Jason Kenney definitely has a very set plan to unite the right. He's moving forward. He's had meetings with the board and he's working through his plan," said Cooper, adding that Kenney is reaching out to Albertans in his new role.
Kenney is scheduled to be at the multiplex in Springbrook on April 1.
"He's going out to the grassroots to tell people how he's going to do it," said Cooper, adding he believes choosing Kenney is a step in the right direction.
"Change is inevitable in anything and he's bringing change to the party," said Cooper. "The grassroots have spoken.
"I think it's a change and we're going to join with other like-minded conservatives and move our party forward.
"I strongly support what Jason Kenney is doing," Cooper concluded.
The Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta has announced that a Progressive Conservative-Wildrose merger proposal is expected by the end of April.
Dennis Cooper, former president of the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake constituency association
"Jason Kenney definitely has a very set plan to unite the right. He's moving forward. He's had meetings with the board and he's working through his plan."
