Alberta Party MLA Rick Fraser wiped his eyes with tissues as legislature members applauded as he made a plea for better LGBTQ rights in honour of his son. 

A day before the spring session of Alberta's Legislative Assembly gets underway, the Alberta Party's newly minted leader announced which of his caucus members will be fulfilling various duties.

The Alberta Party signalled it hopes to attract new votes in the next provincial election with an experienced conservative politician at the helm as former Edmonton mayor and Alberta cabinet minister Stephen Mandel was announced as its new leader on Tuesday evening.

The Alberta Party will announce its new leader Tuesday evening and Stephen Mandel, Kara Levis and Rick Fraser are all vying for the top job.

Former Edmonton mayor and PC health minister Stephen Mandel, Calgary lawyer Kara Levis and former UCP MLA Rick Fraser are all vying for the party’s top job.

Membership in the Alberta Party has multiplied by over six times over less than a year ago. The party's numbers have grown 539 per cent since last March.

The Alberta Party's leadership candidates squared off on money in their first debate, with candidate Kara Levis saying it's time to explore a provincial sales tax.

The deadline for people wishing to join the race to become the new leader of the Alberta Party passed on Monday night as the party announced dates for leadership debates and "meet and greet" events its three candidates will take part in across the province.

The new legislature calendar is out for 2018 and Alberta politicians are to be back in the house for a spring sitting that begins March 8.

A month ago it looked like no one was going to fill the shoes of departed Alberta Party leader Greg Clark, but that all changed this week.