Alberta Liberal Party leadership election, 2017

Alberta Liberal Party leadership election, 2017

Date	TBD
Resigning leader	Raj Sherman

An Alberta Liberal Party leadership election will be held at the Alberta Liberal Party's 2017 Annual General Meeting to choose a permanent successor to Raj Sherman who resigned on January 26, 2015. Sherman, who was under investigation over alleged illegal campaign donations,^[1] indicated in a statement to the media that he was resigning as leader immediately for personal reasons and did not run for re-election as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta at the provincial election held on May 5, 2015.^[2] The leadership election was originally scheduled for April 23, 2016 but has been delayed for a year to give prospective candidates more time to organize.^[3]

Timeline

• January 26, 2015 - Raj Sherman announces his immediate resignation as leader.^[4]
• February 1, 2015 - Party board of directors elects former leader David Swann as interim leader over Laurie Blakeman and rejects Blakeman's proposal for a merger with the Alberta Party, at least until after the next provincial election.^[5] Swann is expected to lead the Liberals into the next provincial election, widely expected to be called for the spring of 2015.^[6] The party says it will hold a leadership election within a year but will not be setting a date for the vote until the fall.^[7][6]
• April 7, 2015 - Alberta legislature is dissolved for a general election.
• May 5, 2015 - Alberta general election is held. Alberta New Democratic Party elects a majority government and brings the Progressive Conservative dynasty to an end after 44 years. The Liberals are reduced from 5 seats to 1 seat with Swann elected as the Liberal's only MLA.
• May 30, 2015 - Party holds its Annual General Meeting but does not schedule a leadership election. Swann indicates he wishes to see a leadership election "within a year" and that he intends to continue as interim party leader until then.^[1]
• January 9, 2016 - Liberal executive met in Red Deer, Alberta.^[8] The executive voted to postpone the leadership election until 2017, in order to give candidates and the party more time to prepare, and decided unanimously to have David Swann stay on as interim leader until then.
• May 13-14, 2016 - Liberal Party 2016 Annual General Meeting and convention at the Sheraton Hotel Red Deer.^[9]
• Spring 2017 - Leadership election is expected to be held.^[3][10]

Prospective candidates

• Laurie Blakeman, former MLA (Edmonton-Centre, 1997-2015), third place candidate in 2011 leadership election.^[2] Had expressed an interest in becoming interim leader and said that while she is not interested in becoming permanent leader she won't rule it out altogether. Proposes a merger with the Alberta Party.^[11] Lost her seat in the May 5, 2015 provincial election.

Declined

• Dr. David Swann, MLA (Calgary-Mountain View, 2004-present), interim leader of the party (2015-present), former permanent leader (2008-2011), only Liberal MLA elected in May 5, 2015 provincial election.^[12]

References

1. "Beleaguered Alberta Liberals face uncertain future after worst election showing in 33 years". National Post. June 1, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
2. "Raj Sherman quits as Alberta Liberal leader, won’t seek third term as MLA". Edmonton Journal. January 26, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
3. "Alberta Liberals put off leadership race for one year". Edmonton Journal. January 11, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
4. "Sherman resigns as Liberal leader, says he's "lived a lifetime in politics already"". Calgary Herald. January 26, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
5. "Swann returns as interim Liberal leader, party rejects Alberta Party union". Calgary Herald. February 1, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
6. David Swann picked by Alberta liberals to lead party (February 1, 2015). "http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/david-swann-picked-by-alberta-liberals-to-lead-party-1.2215822". CTV News. External link in |title= (help);
7. "David Swann is the new interim leader of the Alberta Liberal Party". Global News. February 2, 2015.
8. "Alberta Liberals to choose new leader next spring". Edmonton Journal. November 3, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
9. http://www.albertaliberal.com/alberta_liberal_convention
10. "Alberta Liberals will retain Dr. David Swann as interim leader". CBC News. January 11, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
11. "Laurie Blakeman Eyes Interim Alberta Liberal Leader Job". Huffington Post. Canadian Press. January 28, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
12. "Alberta PCs, Liberals will likely look for new leaders next spring". Calgary Herald. October 2, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2016.