Hyggen signals city ready to work with new leadership
By Lethbridge Herald on May 20, 2022.
Nicholas Allen
For the lethbridge herald
The announcement that Jason Kenney would be stepping down as premier has prompted mixed reactions from Alberta leaders.
On Wednesday, Kenney said he will no longer be staying on as the leader of the UCP in Alberta after he held the office since April 2019. Kenney won his leadership review with slightly more than 51 per cent of the vote but decided to step down after saying it was “not adequate support to continue on as leader.”
Mayor Blaine Hyggen is open to new leadership and said the role of council in Lethbridge is to work with any leader at any level of government in building relationships and working on behalf of the citizens of Lethbridge.
“Whoever they decide to choose, we’ll make sure that we work with them until the time that there’s a different leader,” said Hyggen during a media event on Thursday. “We’re just we’re happy for the process, the democracy that we all share, and look forward to this next leader.”
He said that it really speaks to the ability of those that carry memberships in the UCP to get out and vote for their leader. Hyggen said he looks up to the different levels of leadership no matter what affiliation they have and the ability for them to lead through the pandemic.
“I want to tip my hat to any leader that’s been able to make it through [the pandemic]… Oil prices are at an all-time low; the world [is in] economic downturn,” said Hyggen.
He said that even in Lethbridge they have had to change direction throughout the pandemic.
Hyggen also said he has “a huge amount of respect for him, or any leader, and I wish him well in his future endeavours.”
On Thursday, Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley thanked Kenney for his service to the people of the province.
“I know what it’s like to be premier. I know the toll that it takes and the sacrifice that it calls for. And I know that Jason Kenney has experienced both of those things,” said Notley.
Shortly after, she also had a message to Albertans who voted for the UCP and might now feel let down by their actions and behaviour over the last two years.
“You deserve better. And make no mistake, the drama and the infighting that has plagued this UCP is not over,” said Notley.
She said that the news of Kenney stepping down as leader is only the beginning of “more chaos and destruction” from the party.
“It’s a little premature to talk about what the new leader may or may not bring to the table. What we know right now is that the UCP has a record,” said Notley. “Has a record, quite frankly, that has let Albertans down.”
16-15
Sure, Hyggen is willing to work with any leader that might support another SCS. Watch out, folks!