Photo courtesy Erika Rolling

By Curtis Galbraith/Erika Rolling

Provincial Politics

Toews seeking UCP leadership

May 31, 2022 | 4:33 PM

Grande Prairie – Wapiti MLA Travis Toews has become the first candidate to enter the race to become the new leader of the United Conservative Party.

Toews says it feels good to be representing the Peace.

“Alberta has been my lifelong home. My wife and I, and (my) family, have been lifelong residents of this great region, the region of the northwest. I feel very privileged and pleased to offer to Albertans my leadership in the United Conservative Party.”

Toews says the events of the last three months show the importance of Alberta’s traditional businesses like energy and agriculture even though the province’s economy is diversifying.

He adds there is more to do when it comes to spurring growth and attracting investment.

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“All of that will be very positive for the Peace Country because, in the Peace Country, we are one of the true economic engines of Alberta and Alberta is the economic engine of the nation.”

“So, what we do up here matters. We have an incredible entrepreneurial spirit.”

Toews has resigned as finance minister. Premier Jason Kenney had previously said that any minister running in the leadership race must resign from cabinet.

Toews is also a rancher in the Beaverlodge area and a former president of the Canadian Cattleman’s Association.

He says he would like to help the agriculture industry become more competitive.

“We’ll be working to ensure that we have very competitive market access into every importing region of the world, and we’ll be continuing to work to ensure that we can reduce the regulatory burden. We made great progress, but we need to continue to reduce the regulatory burden on Alberta’s farmers and ranchers.”

Toews says he would also like to see Alberta have more value-added food manufacturing.