Central Peace-Notley MLA Todd Loewen (Facebook)

By Shaun Penner

Loewen, Barnes voted out

MLA Loewen ousted from United Conservative Party caucus

May 13, 2021 | 7:48 PM

Central Peace-Notley MLA Todd Loewen has been voted out of the United Conservative Party caucus, after he publicly called for the resignation of party leader and Premier of Alberta, Jason Kenney.

Loewen called for Kenney’s resignation in an open letter issued late Wednesday night, which led to an emergency caucus meeting to be called Thursday.

Loewen, who represents communities such as Valleyview, Fox Creek, Fairview, Spirit River, Falher and McLennan, was ousted along with Medicine Hat-Cypress MLA Drew Barnes. Both will now sit as Independents.

UCP Caucus Whip Mike Ellis said in a statement following the vote that the party must remain strong and united around it’s leader in Kenney.

“There is simply no room in our caucus for those who continually seek to divide our party and undermine government leadership, especially at this critical juncture for our province,” said Caucus Whip Mike Ellis, in a statement issued Thursday evening.

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“We look forward to moving ahead as a stronger, more united team.”

In his letter Wednesday, Loewen pointed to a number of “persistent problems” within the party, suggesting Kenney’s leadership is the root of those problems.

Loewen accused Kenney and his government of weak dealings with Ottawa, ignoring caucus members, delivering contradictory messages, and botching critical issues such as negotiations with doctors and a controversy over coal-mining on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

“Albertans 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.”

Loewen and Barnes were two of 18 UCP backbench members to break with Kenney’s government in April over restrictions aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19. The group said the rules were needlessly restrictive and infringed on personal freedoms.

Kenney had tolerated the open dissension for weeks, saying he believed in free speech and that backbenchers are not in cabinet and don’t speak for his government.

With that said, Loewen stated in his letter that backbench members are sidelined and ignored.

“I 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.”

He said the caucus has tried to be heard.

“Albertans perceive our government as out of touch and arrogant, and they expect our caucus to bring their issues of concern to the government. Many of us have tried to do so repeatedly only to be ignored and dismissed.

“When the premier chooses not to listen to caucus, is it any wonder why the people choose to stop listening to the government?”

The UCP have now lost three seats in government since winning a strong majority in the 2019 provincial election, as Loewen and Barnes join Lesser Slave Lake MLA Pat Rehn as Independents.

There are now 60 UCP MLAs in the 87-seat Legislature. The balance of the legislature (24 seats) is made up of New Democrat Party members.

(With files from the Canadian Press)