EDMONTON — Alberta premier-designate Alison Redford said Sunday she will keep her promise to restore millions in funding cuts to Alberta schools in the next 10 days.
Nine hours after winning the Progressive Conservative leadership race, Redford also ordered the suspension of controversial land laws, pledged to review politician pay and reiterated her promise to call a public inquiry into allegations of doctor intimidation and queue-jumping in Alberta’s health-care system.
“My first two priorities will be reversing the education cuts and, second, beginning to rebuild faith in public health care,” Redford said, adding she will meet soon with treasury officials to try find the $107 million for schools.
She has previously said she will also consider withdrawing money from the province’s sustainability fund to fulfil that promise. “I believe it’s entirely feasible to do it and I haven’t changed my mind on that,” she said.
Redford became the province’s first female premier shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday morning in a nail-biting leadership vote at the Edmonton Northlands Expo Centre. She defeated front-runner Gary Mar by 1,613 votes, capturing 51 per cent of the vote in a run-off of preferential ballots.
The 46-year-old former justice minister built her campaign on a series of maverick, anti-establishment promises, which she pledged Sunday to keep.
The “absolutely” plans to call a public inquiry into allegations of political meddling in the health system, a step rejected by her predecessor and by current Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky.
Zwozdesky has previously said a judge-led public inquiry could take years and cost up to $40 million. By contrast, the Health Quality Council of Alberta’s ongoing closed-door review is expected to cost up to $1 million.
“I can’t give you details (about the inquiry.) As soon as we can, we will,” Redford said, adding later she plans to change the rules so the HQCA is fully independent. “I think that then feeds into where we go with the inquiry with respect to queue-jumping,” she said.
During the campaign Redford promised to establish a commission to review politician pay and perks within 90 days. “I don’t see any reason why we can’t do that,” she said Sunday.
She also told reporters she will keep her vow to immediately suspend the controversial Land Stewardship Act, or Bill 36, pending public consultation. “We will suspend any further action under that legislation until we’ve had a chance to fully consult and to introduce the amendments that we need to introduce.”
Redford again promised to make the Child and Youth Advocate accountable to the legislature, a move opposition parties have been advocating for years. Redford didn’t address, and wasn’t asked about, her promises to increase funding for Albertans receiving Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped or to reinstate coverage for chiropractic services.
Redford has not yet named her cabinet or her chief of staff. She said Calgary lawyer Robert Hawkes will lead the transition team. Hawkes and Redford were married for five years in their 20s.
Tory caucus members will play a crucial role in defining government policy in the coming months, she said, adding there is room in her cabinet for failed leadership candidates. She said Gary Mar will play a meaningful role in her government if he runs for office in the next election.
Mount Royal University political scientist Duane Bratt said Mar won’t return to the legislature.
“Mar has to be devastated. His career is over. He’ll do a Jim Dinning and we won’t see him again,” Bratt said, referring to the former finance minister who suffered a stunning defeat to underdog candidate Ed Stelmach in the 2006 Tory leadership contest.
Mar was not available for comment Sunday.
Hours after her win, Redford received congratulations from Prime Minister Stephen Harper as well as calls from B.C. Premier Christy Clark and Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall.
“What happened yesterday was that our politics caught up with who we are,” Redford said. Asked who was responsible for the doubling, tripling and even quadrupling of votes in some ridings, she said there were many teachers who would have come out, nurses who came out, there was a reference to soccer moms.
“You know what? That’s who we are. That’s who Albertans are, and that’s who I want the PC party to be,” she said.
Redford’s husband Glen Jermyn and her daughter Sarah joined her briefly at the podium Sunday morning. Sarah, 9, was sleeping when the vote was decided Sunday morning.
“So when I got up this morning I was trying to be quiet, and she said: ‘Who won?’ And I said: ‘I won,’ ” Redford told reporters. “She said: ‘I knew you’d win.’ ”
Redford’s mother, Helen, died suddenly Tuesday of an undisclosed illness. The family will mourn her passing at a private ceremony later this week. Redford was asked Sunday what her mother would say about her victory. Her eyes welled with tears.
“Someone said to me today: ‘Is there anyone you want to call this morning?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, my Mom. But I can’t.’ ”
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