The leadership race is heating up as candidates are hot on the campaign trail, and Travis Toews made a stop in the Drumheller valley last Saturday.
On July 16, Toews was at the Jurrasic Canalta to meet with Drumheller and area residents to introduce himself and what he stands for in his bid to lead the UCP part in wake of the resignation of leader Jason Kenney.
“It’s great getting around to Albertans, sharing my vision for the province and most importantly, hearing from Albertans,” Toews tells the Mail. “When I travel around hearing from Albertans, they feel they haven’t been heard in the last couple of years.”
Toews is relatively new to Alberta politics and was elected as MLA for Grande Prairie-Wapiti in 2019 and was appointed Minister of Finance and President of the Alberta Treasury Board.
“I never really aspired to political life until 2018. As my wife and I were confronted with the decision, it seemed like a very meaningful thing to do at that season,” he said. “I was privileged to serve as Minister of Finance for the last three years. We have made great progress fiscally and economically in this province. I don’t want to see those gains eroded.”
Prior to entering politics, he worked in a public accounting practice and grew a ranching operation and oilfield company. He was the president of the Candian Cattlemen’s Association.
He says the campaign is engaging all Albertans.
“Part of the benefit of a well-run leadership campaign is we can engage all Albertans. If I have the privilege of serving as premier, I will be the premier of all Albertans. That is not lost on me at all. One thing I think is critically important is leadership candidates don’t take positions in this leadership race for personal or political gain that will leave the movement unelectable in the general election in 2023.”
Nate Horner, MLA for Drumheller-Stettler is endorsing Toews in this leadership run and has described him as a bridge builder. Toews takes this responsibility seriously.
“There is a lot of division across the province period. So much of that is I think the result of the loss experienced by so many over the last two years. There is some division in the conservative movement as well and you can cut it in a few ways he said. “There is generally a different way of thinking in rural Alberta than there is in Urban. There is certainly a different view of the last two years. I believe I am uniquely positioned to bridge that urban and rural divide.”
He says his leadership style is very different from the outgoing leader Kenney.
“My leadership style and tone are going to be very different than our current leader. I have a very different background. I am a cattle rancher. I was in the private sector until 2019,” he said. He also says he will stand up for Alberta as a province.
“One thing I will do is stand up for Alberta’s vital economic interests and stand up for Albertans. I believe when Alberta stands strong it is good for the nation. We have been the economic engine of the nation for decades,” he said. “There are some fundamental changes we need to see for Alberta within confederation.”
“I won’t use the tired method of a lot of political bluster, overpromising and underdelivering, which has yielded very little gains. My approach will be assertive but strategic.”