Danielle Smith sworn in as Alberta's next premier
CTV
It's official: Danielle Smith has been sworn in as Alberta's 19th premier.
It's official: Danielle Smith has been sworn in as Alberta's 19th premier.
In a ceremony at Government House in Edmonton Tuesday morning, the former Wildrose party leader was sworn in by Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani.
Smith won the United Conservative Party's leadership race to replace Jason Kenney on the sixth and final ballot with 53.77 per cent of votes, defeating her closest challenger Travis Toews, the former finance minister.
In May, Kenney received 51.4 per cent support from party members in a leadership review — enough to technically remain in the UCP's top job — but resigned, indicating it did not represent "adequate support to continue on as leader."
Smith becomes Alberta's eighth premier since 2006 and the third woman to hold the province's top job — a Canadian first.
"I am truly humbled and honoured to serve," she said. "Like many Albertans, I've always believed that freedom is foundational."
Smith said she would stand up and protect Alberta's Charter rights and "exclusive rights" over areas of provincial jurisdiction.
