Following her leadership victory Thursday night, Premier-elect Danielle Smith met with all UCP MLAs at McDougall Centre Friday morning..During her remarks Thursday evening Smith said she would get to work immediately. Her first actions as leader are to bring caucus together, talk and collaborate..“Albertans want a government that is united and successful, not side-tracked by infighting and disunity. Alberta’s conservatives want the same. I am committing to working to bring all caucus members together," Smith said.."We must be focused on governing for all Albertans and preparing to beat Rachel Notley and the NDP next May. I am looking forward to meeting with all of caucus as a group and as individual MLAs.”.In a letter sent to every UCP MLA, Smith invited them to attend a caucus meeting Friday morning and outlined her plans for the coming weeks leading up to the party’s annual general meeting the weekend of October 21-23..According to Smith, her letter opens the door to mended relationships and a clean slate so that caucus, the party and government can move forward.."After enjoying Thanksgiving weekend with our families, I intend to be sworn in as premier the morning of October 11, and request the Cabinet travel to the Legislature to meet with me in person on Tuesday, October 11. Further details shall be circulated shortly," Smith said.."I would also invite you to personally sit down with me for about 30 minutes during the week after Thanksgiving so we may become better acquainted, discuss the most pressing priorities for your local constituents and discuss what areas of governance and policy you believe your unique skill set can best serve Albertans.".In the letter, Smith also invited MLA's to attend a caucus retreat to be held in Sylvan Lake October 17-19.."The focus on this retreat will be team building, unity and positioning caucus as central to the policy development and legislative process. After the Caucus Retreat is complete and I have met with every Caucus member, I will announce any intended changes to the Cabinet and other leadership positions prior to our Party’s AGM from October 21 – 23 in Edmonton, with the membership of various committees and the Treasury Board to be determined shortly thereafter," Smith wrote in the letter.."To that end, at the conclusion of the Cabinet meeting on October 11, I will direct our Cabinet to refrain from conducting further ministerial business or making any public announcements until after October 24, and would request that any exceptions to this," said Smith..Smith also announced the appointment of an eight-member team to support her transition to premier. The majority of the transition team will form the core premier’s office staff..Smith instructed her transition team to build and operate a premier’s office committed to serving Albertans by empowering government MLAs and cabinet ministers to be "directly and meaningfully involved in government policy development and implementation."."Chief Billy Morin will be providing the transition team with his advice and counsel to continue strengthening the relationship between the Government of Alberta and Alberta’s indigenous and Metis peoples," Smith stated..The team members are .• Rob Anderson – Transition Team Chair and Executive Director of Premier’s Office.• Marshall Smith – Chief of Staff.• Peter Guthrie, MLA for Airdrie-Cochrane – Caucus Liaison.• Erika Barootes – Principal Secretary.• Chief Billy Morin – Special Advisor on Indigenous Relations.• Jamie Mozeson – Executive Director of Government Strategy.• Jonah Mozeson – Executive Director of Communications.• Matt Solberg – Executive Director of Caucus.According to Smith, the transition team begins its work immediately on an accelerated transition that will last less than a month..Smith will be sworn-in as Premier on October 11..“I am pleased to have eight strong conservative leaders, strategists and advisors who are committed to a strong United Conservative government. I am confident their experience will navigate a smooth transition within government and caucus," Smith said.
Following her leadership victory Thursday night, Premier-elect Danielle Smith met with all UCP MLAs at McDougall Centre Friday morning..During her remarks Thursday evening Smith said she would get to work immediately. Her first actions as leader are to bring caucus together, talk and collaborate..“Albertans want a government that is united and successful, not side-tracked by infighting and disunity. Alberta’s conservatives want the same. I am committing to working to bring all caucus members together," Smith said.."We must be focused on governing for all Albertans and preparing to beat Rachel Notley and the NDP next May. I am looking forward to meeting with all of caucus as a group and as individual MLAs.”.In a letter sent to every UCP MLA, Smith invited them to attend a caucus meeting Friday morning and outlined her plans for the coming weeks leading up to the party’s annual general meeting the weekend of October 21-23..According to Smith, her letter opens the door to mended relationships and a clean slate so that caucus, the party and government can move forward.."After enjoying Thanksgiving weekend with our families, I intend to be sworn in as premier the morning of October 11, and request the Cabinet travel to the Legislature to meet with me in person on Tuesday, October 11. Further details shall be circulated shortly," Smith said.."I would also invite you to personally sit down with me for about 30 minutes during the week after Thanksgiving so we may become better acquainted, discuss the most pressing priorities for your local constituents and discuss what areas of governance and policy you believe your unique skill set can best serve Albertans.".In the letter, Smith also invited MLA's to attend a caucus retreat to be held in Sylvan Lake October 17-19.."The focus on this retreat will be team building, unity and positioning caucus as central to the policy development and legislative process. After the Caucus Retreat is complete and I have met with every Caucus member, I will announce any intended changes to the Cabinet and other leadership positions prior to our Party’s AGM from October 21 – 23 in Edmonton, with the membership of various committees and the Treasury Board to be determined shortly thereafter," Smith wrote in the letter.."To that end, at the conclusion of the Cabinet meeting on October 11, I will direct our Cabinet to refrain from conducting further ministerial business or making any public announcements until after October 24, and would request that any exceptions to this," said Smith..Smith also announced the appointment of an eight-member team to support her transition to premier. The majority of the transition team will form the core premier’s office staff..Smith instructed her transition team to build and operate a premier’s office committed to serving Albertans by empowering government MLAs and cabinet ministers to be "directly and meaningfully involved in government policy development and implementation."."Chief Billy Morin will be providing the transition team with his advice and counsel to continue strengthening the relationship between the Government of Alberta and Alberta’s indigenous and Metis peoples," Smith stated..The team members are .• Rob Anderson – Transition Team Chair and Executive Director of Premier’s Office.• Marshall Smith – Chief of Staff.• Peter Guthrie, MLA for Airdrie-Cochrane – Caucus Liaison.• Erika Barootes – Principal Secretary.• Chief Billy Morin – Special Advisor on Indigenous Relations.• Jamie Mozeson – Executive Director of Government Strategy.• Jonah Mozeson – Executive Director of Communications.• Matt Solberg – Executive Director of Caucus.According to Smith, the transition team begins its work immediately on an accelerated transition that will last less than a month..Smith will be sworn-in as Premier on October 11..“I am pleased to have eight strong conservative leaders, strategists and advisors who are committed to a strong United Conservative government. I am confident their experience will navigate a smooth transition within government and caucus," Smith said.
