EDMONTON – Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says he will not resign over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that he has committed to a leadership review at a later time.
Kenney has been under continued pressure and criticism for the way he has handled the fourth wave in Alberta.
There has been fighting within his caucus and rumours about the party trying to push him out as leader.
Kenney has invited a leadership review at a later time but says it would be grossly irresponsible right now.
“We cannot allow politics, including internal politics, to distract us from the essential task,” he said.
RELATED:
-
What’s happening in Alberta?
-
Shandro, Copping swap roles as Kenney shuffles cabinet
-
Notley, AUPE respond to Kenney’s cabinet shuffle
“One hundred per cent of my attention, that of my team, and the whole government, has to be focused on the life-and-death crisis that we are facing.”
Kenney shrugged off any unrest within his party, saying his caucus represents a wide range of opinions that Albertans have across the province.
“It’s no secret that there are a lot of supporters of my party who don’t like public health restrictions,” he said.
“That has been something with which we’ve been grappling with from the very beginning of the pandemic. There’s no point in sugarcoating it.”
His remarks come as the UCP caucus meets Wednesday.
-with files from Jeff Slack
