St. Albert MLA Stephen Khan joins PC leadership race

A former St. Albert MLA has thrown his hat into the PC leadership race – Stephen Khan launched his campaign for the position Thursday.

“This is about strong leadership. I love this party. I love this province and I just couldn’t sit on the sidelines anymore,” he said.

“I’m a strong fiscal conservative. But with that said, in my Alberta, there’s a place for everyone who shares our values. I didn’t see that necessarily reflected going into this campaign so that’s why I’m running.”

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Khan said there is a need to rebuild trust on the constituency level between the party and party officials, which he said will in turn help rebuild the party after its devastating loss to the NDP in 2015. The late Jim Prentice resigned from the post shortly afterward. The party is being led by Ric McIver in the interim.

READ MORE: Outgoing Alberta premier says Tory party humbled by huge election loss

When asked whether he supported the movement to unite the right, Khan said he favours an inclusive approach.

“We’re trying to get a modern conservative movement here, and we absolutely believe in uniting like-minded Albertans. There’s a place for all Albertans in our movement, we’re not going to leave anybody behind.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We're trying to get a modern conservative movement here, and we absolutely believe in uniting like-minded Albertans. There's a place for all Albertans in our movement, we're not going to leave anybody behind."

Khan said his background in the private sector gives him an edge over his competitors, adding he knows what it takes to be a strong entrepreneur.

PC house leader Richard Starke, former PC MLA Donna Kennedy-Glans, former Conservative MP Jason Kenney, Calgary lawyer Byron Nelson and Calgary MLA Sandra Jansen are also in the running.

The Progressive Conservatives currently have nine members in the 87-seat legislature.

The party will meet in Red Deer this weekend for its fall policy conference and the first of two leadership debates.

The deadline for nominations closes November 10 and a permanent leader will be elected March 18, 2017.