Chestermere- Strathmore MLA Leela Sharon Aheer has thrown her name into the leadership race for the UCP. Aheer announced today that she will be running to be the next leader of the United Conservative Party.

She was first elected as the MLA for Chestermere-Rocky View in 2015. She was re-elected in 2019 as the MLA for Chestermere-Strathmore.

Aheer was stripped of her portfolio as the Minister of Culture, Mutliculturalism and Status of Women last year after a disagreement with Premier Jason Kenney during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She had asked the premier to apologize after images of the premier, three ministers and staff having lunch at the Federal Building were revealed.

When she made the announcement that she will be running to be the party leader she said purpose of the leadership race is to regain the trust of Albertans.

Also in the running are Danielle Smith, Brian Jean, independent MLA Todd Loewen, former finance minister Travis Toews and Bill Rock, mayor of the village of Amisk.

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