Dharminder Premi, one of the candidates for the UCP nomination in Chestermere-Strathmore, made a $1,000 donation to the federal Liberals in 2015.
According to Elections Canada records, Premi contributed $1,000 to the Liberal Party of Canada on October 19, 2015 — the same day Prime Minister Justin Trudeau formed government for the first time.
The donation went to Liberal Party MP Darshan Singh Kang, who stepped down two years later, in 2017, after two sexual assault accusations from female staffers. Kang denies the allegations.
Premi did not respond to a media request from The Counter Signal.
Premi announced his bid for the UCP nomination on Facebook.
“I am running in the upcoming UCP nominations to be held on December 17 2022 to become the UCP MLA candidate for Chestermere-Strathmore constituency,” he said Wednesday.
“I choose to run for the UCP Candidacy to reflect my values and commitment to the future of Alberta.”
“This diverse riding needs a strong and experienced candidate who can understand the needs of its constituents and can be their strong voice in the legislative assembly.”
The election takes place Saturday, December 17, at the Strathmore Municipal Library. Premi is running against Chantelle de Jonge.
The nomination is up for grabs after incumbent UCP MLA and former leadership candidate Leela Aheer announced she would not seek reelection after Danielle Smith won the leadership contest and the Alberta Premiership.
“The members have stated their wishes for leadership and a new direction for our party. I respect their decision,” Aheer said.
During the leadership contest, Aheer sold 25 party memberships at a Calgary Stampede pancake breakfast with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. As reported by True North, she argued that many Albertans vote for the federal Liberals, but for the Conservatives provincially.
There are two Liberal MPs in Alberta. There were zero before the 2021 federal election.
