Toews targets Ottawa in Lethbridge campaign stop

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on September 14, 2022.

Herald photo by Ry Clarke UCP leadership candidate Travis Toews speaks at a campaign stop Monday at the Rocky Mountain Turf Club.

Travis Toews, candidate for the UCP leadership, was in the city Monday hosting a barbecue and rally at the Rocky Mountain Turf Club.

The Club presented a Warrior Relay Race demonstration to audience members with Toews riding in on horseback to start the races off. Toews watched and mingled with the crowd before giving a speech towards his campaign. The UCP leadership race is fast approaching the homestretch with ballots mailed out to eligible party members on September 2 and results announcing the winner expected on October 6.

“Right now, Conservative members are taking a look at the leadership options in this race. Leadership really matters. What I’m hearing on the ground is so many conservative minded Albertans are really believing that unity is critical,” said Toews speaking to local media on Monday. “Leadership matters, I always say this, the best way to know how an individual will lead is to take a look at how they have led. A lot of conservative members are taking a look at our track records right now, and as a party we need to elect a leader who can bring strong, principled, proven leadership that can unite this movement, and win the election in ’23.”

Speaking about Pierre Poilievre’s win as the new leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Toews said he is excited by his victory and the impressive 68 per cent win on first ballot.

“That bodes well for our federal party and unity,” said Toews. “We need regime change in Ottawa. That is very apparent, certainly from Alberta’s perspective. I’m confident that Pierre understands the challenges and the opportunities in Alberta. He understands and knows the importance of our energy industry and our resource-based economy here in the province. He knows and understands how important that economic contribution is not only to Alberta, but for the nation as a whole. I look forward to serving as Albertan’s Premier and working with Prime Minister Pierre Poilievre.”

To reach that goal Toews will tour around the province and meet conservative members in their community to talk with them.

“It’s been a privilege to meet with members and hear their concerns. I will talk about my vision for the province and engage with so many Albertans, who over the last two years have felt they haven’t had a voice, we need to ensure that all Albertans have a voice, unity is critical.”

Toews also says he would bring that freedom of voice to his MLAs who represent the views of their constituents.

“I have 29 MLAs who are publicly endorsing my leadership,” said Toews. “One thing that has to happen if unity is going to occur is that MLAs need a voice and they need to be heard. I would ensure that every MLA has the opportunity to bring the views of their constituents to the caucus table, and pound the table advocating for them. I will not only tolerate divergent views; I will welcome that to the table.”

With mail-in ballots due on October 3, the next few weeks will see many UCP leadership candidates traverse the province, hoping to secure votes and sway the odds in their favour.