Progressive Conservative Leader Jim Prentice retained his seat of Calgary Foothills in the Alberta provincial election, but resigned after watching the stunning defeat of his party by Notley’s NDP. Gary Bobrovitz looks at what went wrong for the PCs.
CALGARY – Progressive Conservative Leader Jim Prentice retained his seat of Calgary Foothills in the Alberta provincial election, but resigned after watching the stunning defeat of his party by Notley’s NDP.
“Albertans have…chosen our collective future,” said Prentice in his speech Tuesday night. “While I am personally saddened by the decision, the voters are always right in a democracy.”
Prentice congratulated Notley and the NDP, and said Notley “ran an excellent campaign and clearly has the confidence of Albertans.” He then announced his resignation as both leader and MLA, effective immediately.
Prentice first won his seat in a byelection in October after he was elected Tory leader to replace Alison Redford.
READ MORE: Orange crush: Rachel Notley’s NDP stomps out 44-year PC dynasty
Prentice, 58, came to the provincial scene with a wealth of experience in federal politics.
He was first elected as an MP in Calgary in 2004 and was re-elected when the Conservatives won their first minority in 2006.
READ MORE: Alberta Election 2015: Jim Prentice holds seat in Calgary-Foothills
He served in several ministries, including Indian and Northern Affairs, Industry and Environment before leaving federal politics in 2010.
WATCH ABOVE: The NDP under leader Rachel Notley swept all 19 constituencies in Edmonton on Tuesday, made inroads in previously barren NDP territory in Calgary and Lethbridge, and added several seats in rural areas, prompting PC leader Jim Prentice to announce he’s stepping down as leader of the PC party.
With files from Global News
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