Alberta.

AuthorRempel, Jody
PositionLegislative Reports

Leadership Contests

Alison Redford's (Calgary-Elbow) resignation as Premier in March 2014 set the stage for a leadership race within the Progressive Conservative (PC) Association of Alberta. When the nomination period closed on May 30, 2014, three individuals had put their names forward for consideration as the next leader of the PC party: Thomas Lukaszuk (Edmonton-Castle Downs), former Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour, Ric McIver (Calgary-Hays), former Minister of Infrastructure, and Jim Prentice (former Member of Parliament for Calgary North Centre). The first leadership vote will take place on September 6, 2014. If no candidate secures a majority a second vote between the top two contenders will be held on September 20, 2014.

The Alberta New Democratic Party has also started the process for a leadership contest following the announcement by Brian Mason (Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood) that he would step down as leader of the party as of October 19, 2014. Mr. Mason has indicated that he will continue to serve as a Member of the Legislative Assembly. The nomination period closed on August 5, 2014. David Eggen (Edmonton-Calder), Rachel Notley (Edmonton-Strathcona) and Rod Loyola, President of the Non-Academic Staff Association at the University of Alberta, have entered the race.

Changes to Caucus Membership

Almost one year after resigning from the PC Caucus in July 2013, Mike Allen (Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo) was accepted back into the caucus on July 7, 2014. With this membership change the composition of the Assembly is now at 59 Progressive Conservatives, 17 Wildrose, 5 Alberta Liberals, 4 New Democrats, and 2 Independents.

Appointment of a New Ethics Commissioner

On November 15, 2013, Alberta's third Ethics Commissioner, Neil R. Wilkinson, announced that he would not seek reappointment when his term expired. On May 7, 2014, the Select Special Ethics Commissioner Search Committee completed its mandate and unanimously recommended Marguerite Trussler be appointed the next Ethics Commissioner for the Province of Alberta. The motion to concur in the Committee's report was passed in the House unanimously and without debate. The appointment became effective on May 26, 2014, and Ms. Trussler was officially sworn in as Alberta's fourth Ethics Commissioner on June 4, 2014.

Ms. Trussler was born and raised in Alberta and served on the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench for 20 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from the...

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