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Alberta UCP nominate Kenney critic Brian Jean as candidate in upcoming byelection

EDMONTON — United Conservative Party byelection candidate Brian Jean says he expects Alberta Premier Jason Kenney to follow up on a promise to sign his nomination papers.
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FIRESIDE CHAT- From right, Alberta Wildrose Party Leader Brian Jean spoke to supporters and answered questions from House Leader Nathan Cooper during a special Q & A session in the exhibition hall of the Sheraton Convention Centre in Red Deer on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016. Alberta’s Official Opposition party held its Annual General Meeting in the City last weekend. Zachary Cormier/Red Deer Express

EDMONTON — United Conservative Party byelection candidate Brian Jean says he expects Alberta Premier Jason Kenney to follow up on a promise to sign his nomination papers.

That’s despite the fact Jean’s stated mission is to get Kenney fired as party leader.

Kenney had promised to allow Jean to run under the UCP banner if Jean was voted to run as the party’s candidate in the Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche constituency.

Jean, who helped form the UCP, says the party told him on the weekend that he won with 68 per cent of the vote, defeating challenger Joshua Gogo.

Jean is now on the road touring the province, talking to members and selling memberships with the expressed goal of getting Kenney out as leader.

Jean says there’s widespread sentiment in the province and party that Kenney is not trustworthy, and the UCP will lose the 2023 election to the NDP if Kenney is at the helm.

Kenney must hold the byelection no later than mid-March.