Jim Prentice wins Alberta Tory leadership and will be next premier – Times Colonist
EDMONTON – Jim Prentice swept to victory Saturday in the Alberta Progressive Conservative party’s leadership vote, promising to clean up a government bludgeoned and demoralized by scandal.
“Over time the government has lost its way,” said Prentice, who will soon be sworn in as Alberta’s 16th premier.
“Watching from afar, I was as disappointed and frustrated as anyone.
“I wasn’t at the table when those decisions were made, but I’m at the table now,” he said to applause from about 350 party supporters.
“I can tell you this: I will restore a commitment to fiscal prudence and ethical conduct in Alberta.”
The 58-year-old former Calgary Conservative MP and cabinet minister handily defeated former provincial cabinet ministers Ric McIver and Thomas Lukaszuk in a vote overshadowed by computer and phone foul-ups that left some members saying they were unable to cast a ballot.
