A private email authored by UCP MLA Peter Guthrie and sent to fellow caucus members accuses some in the party of using taxpayer funds to influence members in favour of Premier Jason Kenney as he prepares for the upcoming AGM.
The email which was exclusively obtained by the Counter Signal appears to show Guthrie claiming that Kenney’s office is dedicating public resources to win the favour of party members.
“The Party is also known to be actively working to replace sitting MLAs that oppose you, Premier. Shockingly, I have it, from multiple direct sources, that PAC’s, supporting Premier, are offering to pay member AGM fees as well as providing other favors in exchange for their votes at this weekend’s AGM,” the email reads.
“Those involved in the scheme include staff from your office (using taxpayer dollars), as well as the party and even MLA’s.”
The Counter Signal contacted Guthrie for a comment on the email but the MLA declined further comment.
Guthrie goes on to request that Premier Kenney initiates an investigation into the allegations which he describes as being “unethical.”
“This may not be illegal, but it is certainly unethical. Winning back the favour of Albertans should be our priority. And this kind of undermining of the process will do nothing but drive Albertans away,” writes Guthrie.
At the UCP AGM this weekend, Kenney could face a leadership review if it receives enough votes. A review on his leadership has already been scheduled for 2022 but dozens of constituency groups have been calling for it to be earlier.
Kenney’s popularity has continued to slide down in the polls and is currently sitting around 20% of people approving of his performance. The poll results make Kenney the least popular premier in all of Canada.
Even MLAs within the party have broken ranks and openly criticized the premier’s handling of the pandemic and other issues.
It should also be noted that these allegations are yet to be proven.
