2017 United Conservative Party leadership election

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Alberta Election Commissioner are investigating allegations that Jason Kenney and his team were involved in orchestrating Jeff Callaway's campaign for the leadership of the United Conservative Party in an attempt to harm Kenney's biggest rival, Brian Jean. Documents obtained by The Toronto Star confirm that Kenney's campaign controlled major aspects of Callaway's campaign, including the providing of strategic plans, attack ads, speeches, and talking points intended to discredit Jean. These documents have since been handed over the election commissioner, according to Callaway's former campaign manager, Cameron Davies. Davies also said that Kenney had attended a meeting at Callaway's house in July 2017 where the "kamikaze campaign" was discussed and that Kenney had first-hand knowledge of this strategy. A leaked document alleged that Jason Kenney's team first approached Derek Fildebrandt in July 2017 about running a "dark-horse" campaign but ultimately decided against working with him. Fildebrandt confirmed this account but stated that it was he who rejected the idea. An emergency injunction was sought to halt the probe into the financing of Callaway's UCP leadership campaign for the duration of the 2019 Alberta general election, but was denied by Court of Queen's Bench Justice Anne Kirker who ruled it was in the public interest for the investigation to continue. Callaway, who declared his candidacy on August 10, 2017, only to withdraw on October 4, after the debates but prior to voting, was issued 24 fines totalling $70,000 by the Alberta Election Commissioner on July 18, 2019, during an investigation into allegations that Kenney's leadership team orchestrated Callaway's candidacy in order to attack to attack Jean and that Callaway's campaign was funded by illegal donations. While, Alberta elections commissioner Lorne Gibson has led to fines against 15 people totalling $207,223. ==Timeline==

• March 18, 2017 - Jason Kenney, former federal cabinet minister, is elected PC leader on a platform of joining with the Wildrose to form a unified right-of-centre party. • May 18, 2017 - PC leader Jason Kenney and Wildrose leader Brian Jean announce that merger referendums will be held in their parties on July 22, 2017. If they pass, with thresholds of 50%+1 of PC members and 75% of Wildrose members, the parties will begin the process of merging into the United Conservative Party, or UCP. • June 1, 2017 - Doug Schweitzer declares his candidacy. Brian Jean declares his candidacy. • September 28, 2017 - Leadership debate held in Edmonton. • September 29, 2017 - Membership sales end at 5 pm MT (UTC−6). • October 4, 2017 - Jeff Callaway withdraws his candidacy. • October 5, 2017 - Balance of entrance fee is due. • October 12, 2017 - Leadership debate held in Fort McMurray. • October 13, 2017, 5 pm MT (UTC−6) - Deadline for members to register to vote using photo ID as proof of identity. • October 17, 2017 - Leadership debate held in Lethbridge. • October 26, 2017, 9 am MT (UTC−6) - Voting begins via online and telephone balloting. • October 28, 2017, 5 pm MT (UTC−6) - Voting ends. Results announced at the BMO Centre in Calgary shortly after the close of voting. ==Declared candidates==

===Brian Jean=== ;Background Brian Jean, 54, was the final Leader of the Wildrose Party (2015–2017). Jean is the MLA for Fort McMurray-Conklin (2015–2018). He served as MP for Athabasca (2004–2006) and Fort McMurray—Athabasca (2006–2014), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (2006–2011), and Leader of the Official Opposition in Alberta (2015–2017). Jean was elected Wildrose leader after previous leader Danielle Smith and eight other Wildrose MLAs crossed the floor to join the PC government of then-Premier Jim Prentice. :Date candidacy declared: July 22, 2017 :Campaign website: :Amount of deposit paid: Full Wayne Anderson (Highwood), Todd Loewen (Grande Prairie-Smoky), Don MacIntyre (Innisfail-Sylvan Lake), Ron Orr (Lacombe-Ponoka), Glenn van Dijken (Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock), Fred Nash (Rocky Mountain House Mayor), Steve Upham (County of St. Paul No. 19 Reeve), Rod Hay (8-time Canadian Rodeo champion), :Campaign website: :Amount of deposit paid: Full Scott Cyr (Bonnyville-Cold Lake) Prab Gill (Calgary-Greenway), Grant Hunter (Cardston-Taber-Warner), Ric McIver (Calgary-Hays), Jason Nixon (Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre), Rick Strankman (Drumheller-Stettler) :Federal politicians: (23) John Barlow (MP for Foothills), Bob Benzen (MP for Calgary Heritage), Kerry Diotte (MP for Edmonton Griesbach), Earl Dreeshen (MP for Red Deer—Mountain View), Jim Eglinski (MP for Yellowhead), Ron Liepert (MP for Calgary Signal Hill), Shannon Stubbs (MP for Lakeland), Chris Warkentin (MP for Grande Prairie-Mackenzie) Maggie Croenen (Town of Cardston Mayor), Andrew Prokop (Town of Taber Councillor and Interim Mayor) :Former MLAs: (11) Jack Ady (Cardston-Chief Mountain, 1986–1997), David Dorward (Edmonton-Gold Bar, 2012–2015), Jonathan Denis (Calgary-Egmont, 2008–2012; Calgary-Acadia, 2012–2015), Denis Ducharme (Bonnyville-Cold Lake, 1997–2008), Paul Hinman (Calgary-Glenmore, 2009–2012; Cardston-Taber-Warner, 2004–2008), Genia Leskiw (Bonnyville-Cold Lake, 2008–2015), Ty Lund (Rocky Mountain House, 1989–2012), Marvin Moore (Smoky River, 1971–1989), Shayne Saskiw (Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills, 2012–2015) :Other prominent supporters: (2) Jeff Callaway (President of the Wildrose Party, 2008–2010; 2014–2017), Candice Malcolm (Calgary Sun Columnist) Doug Schweitzer ;Background Doug Schweitzer, 38, is a Calgary lawyer and longtime PC party member. He served as CEO of the Manitoba PC Party (2008–2009) and campaign manager of Jim Prentice's successful PC leadership campaign in 2014. :Date candidacy declared: June 1, 2017 :Former MLAs: (1) Peter Elzinga (Sherwood Park, 1986–1993) :Former federal politicians: (1) Jay Hill (Prince George—Peace River, 1993–2010) :Other prominent supporters: (2) Kevin O'Leary (Businessman and television personality), Chris Warren (President of the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta, 1998; 2002–2004) ;Policies • Calls for massive cuts to Alberta's corporate and personal income tax rates, including replacing progressive income tax with a flat tax of 10% for those making more than $100,000 a year and 9% for those making less than that amount. • Advocates the elimination of the province's carbon levy. Proposes cutting salaries of public sector workers across the board by 3% for those making less than $120,000 a year and by 6% for those making more than that. • Calls himself a moderate on social issues. • Says most Albertans are "socially moderate" and that issues such as "gay-straight alliances," "diversity," and inclusion of women are non-partisan issues. ==Withdrawn candidates==

Jeff Callaway ;Background Jeff Callaway, 40, was formerly President of the Wildrose Party (2008–2010; 2014–2017) and 2015 Wildrose candidate for Calgary-North West. He is currently a Calgary-based senior investment advisor. :Date withdrawn: October 4, 2017 :Subsequently endorsed: Jason Kenney ==Declined==

• Leela Aheer, MLA for Chestermere-Rocky View (2015–2023). Endorsed Jean. • Paul Hinman, Leader of the Alberta Alliance (2005–2008) and the Wildrose Alliance (2008–2009) and MLA for Cardston-Taber-Warner (2004–2008) and Calgary-Glenmore (2009–2012). Announced interest in running but was unable to raise enough money to pay entrance fee. Endorsed Kenney. • Ric McIver, Interim Leader of the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta (2015–2017), MLA for Calgary-Hays (2012–present), City of Calgary Alderman for Ward 12 (2001–2010), Minister of Transportation (2012–2013), Minister of Infrastructure (2013–2014), and Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour (2014–2015). Endorsed Kenney. ==Results==