Liberals prep for leadership race as talk of uniting moderates heats up – Calgary Herald
Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann. David Bloom / David Bloom
As the Liberal leadership race sputters into gear, talk of a broader effort of uniting Albertas centrists is heating up with the involvement of former Edmonton mayor Stephen Mandel.
Friday is the deadline for candidates for leadership of the provincial Liberals to submit their papers to the party, with two having done so by midday: David Khan and Kerry Cundal.
Khan, a lawyer who has run twice previously for the Liberals, definitely intends to run while Cundal, a lawyer and former federal candidate, hasnt yet made a final decision on whether she will contest the leadership.
FILE PHOTO: David Khan Submitted
In an interview Friday, Khan said he wants to rebuild the Alberta Liberals, who currently hold only one legislature seat the Calgary-Mountain View ridingof leader David Swann.
Weve got a great opportunity to rebuild this party and provide a real middle-of-the-road option for most Albertans who arent far-right or left, said the 42-year-old Khan, who ran for the party in Calgary-Buffalo in the 2015 provincial election and in Calgary-West in a 2014 byelection.
Cundal, who is an adviser to federal Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen, declined to comment further as she weighs whether to enter the race. St. Albert mayor Nolan Crouse had been running for the Liberal leadership but abruptly pulled out earlier this week.
The formal start of the Liberal race comes as the election of former Conservative cabinet minister Jason Kenney as the leader of the Progressive Conservatives on a platform of unifying with the Wildrose has given new impetus to the idea of uniting moderates in the province.
Former Edmonton mayor and PC cabinet minister Stephen Mandel is one of the organizers of a meeting in Red Deer in two weeks that will bring together membersof the Liberals, the Alberta Party and some Progressive Conservatives.
In an interview Friday, Mandel downplayed what he said is a very preliminary meeting but said it is being held to discuss whether theres a willingness to join together.
Theres a lot of people talking about how to bring the centre together and a lot of people talk to me about it and I said, Ill see what I can do about bringing people together and see what happens,' he said.
Mandel said that on a personal level he thinks the PCs uniting with the Wildrose and shifting rightward is a bad idea.
Theres a tremendous number of people who think some of the Progressive has been lost (in the PC party), he said, numbering himself in that group.
Alberta Party Leader Greg Clark, who holds his partys only seat in the legislature, has confirmed he will attend the April 15 Red Deer meeting.
Clark, who has been hosting meet-ups across the province since the PC leadership vote, said the Mandel event is just one of many discussions being held about unifying centrists.
Theres a recognition that those of us in the centre need to get behind one thing anyone who wants to have that conversation, Im all in, said the Calgary-Elbow MLA.
Clark said that if common ground and shared values are found, he will advocate for the Alberta Party as the best vehicle to move forward. However, he said hewill listen to arguments for a different path, such as cooperation or a new party.
Khan said he had only recently heard about the meeting but he is interested in whats happening.
Im open to discussions with Albertans across the spectrum, he said.
See the article here:
Liberals prep for leadership race as talk of uniting moderates heats up - Calgary Herald
- The Impossible Plight of the Pro-Tariff Liberals - The Atlantic - May 8th, 2025 [May 8th, 2025]
- SANDOVAL: Liberals Ruin Iconic Site With Yet Another Massive Eyesore - dailycaller.com - May 8th, 2025 [May 8th, 2025]
- Joe Rogan mocks Canada for re-electing Liberals, claims Pierre Poilievre turned down podcast offer - Yahoo News Canada - May 8th, 2025 [May 8th, 2025]
- The final Canada election result has a twist in the tail, Liberals on the receiving end - The Economic Times - May 8th, 2025 [May 8th, 2025]
- Liberals on brink of near-total wipe-out in Australia's suburbs - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - May 8th, 2025 [May 8th, 2025]
- Gender quotas are the only way for the Liberals to go: Simon Birmingham - The Conversation - May 8th, 2025 [May 8th, 2025]
- Gina Rinehart urges Liberals to stick with Trump-like policies in the wake of election loss - The Guardian - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Analysis | Trump is making foreign liberals, free trade and immigrants great again - The Washington Post - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- When Liberals Were on "The Wrong Side of History" - Catholic Answers - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Second-term Albanese will face policy pressure, devastated Liberals have only bad options - The Conversation - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- CNNs Donie OSullivan pushes back on annoying liberals who criticize humanizing Trump supporters - New York Post - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- The Liberals women problem may seem intractable, but heres what they could learn from the Teals - The Conversation - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- What the Liberals election win could mean for Canadas economy - The Real Economy Blog - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Mark Carneys Liberals win Canadian election upended by Trump, Conservative challenger loses his seat - PBS - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Canada's Liberals win minority government; Carney says old relationship with US 'is over' - Reuters - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Why Carney's Liberals won election - and the Conservatives lost - BBC - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Trump wanted to break us, says Carney as Liberals triumph in Canadian election - The Guardian - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Mark Carneys Liberals Win Canadas Election. Here Are 4 Takeaways. - The New York Times - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Sweeping policy reset needed to reconnect with voters, senior Liberals say as others call for lurch further right - The Guardian - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Canadas Liberals fall short of a majority in Parliament, and Conservative leader loses his own seat - WOWT - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Conservatives less trusting of science compared to liberals in the United States - PsyPost - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Trump Inserts Himself Into Canadas Election and Liberals Cant Stop Saying Merci - Rolling Stone - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Afternoon Update: Liberals start soul-searching; husbands denial in mushroom trial; and a 478-hour slow TV stream ends - The Guardian - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Game change Canadian election: Mark Carney leads Liberals to their fourth consecutive win - The Conversation - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- The game change Canadian election: Mark Carney leads Liberals to their fourth consecutive win - The Conversation - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- The Liberals need a few floor-crossers to form a majority. That might not be so easy - CBC - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Trump campaign chief claims he visited Australia to advise Liberals at start of election campaign - The Guardian - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- How the Liberals came up short in Ontario and lost their majority bid - CBC - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- The Liberals Who Cant Stop Winning - The Atlantic - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Morning Mail: Israels intensified plan to seize Gaza, the voters that swung to Labor, Liberals in crisis - The Guardian - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Mark Carneys Liberals win Canadas crucial election and set to form minority government - The Independent - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Conservatives signal they are willing to back Carney's Liberals on some legislation - CBC - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- The Conservatives and Liberals refuse to stand on guard - The Globe and Mail - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- Candidates make final pitch in Canada election with Liberals holding lead - Yahoo - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- Polls tighten as Canadians head to the polls. Will Liberals pull off the ultimate comeback? - GZERO Media - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- When equal does not mean the same: Liberals still do not understand their women problem - The Conversation - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- Federal Election Poll: Liberals poised to win slim majority or minority government - Vancouver Sun - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- Stories That Show How Modern Liberals Have Lost Their Way - The New York Times - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- Yes, Kashmir Faces Settler-Colonialism But Not The Kind That Left-Liberals Want You To Believe - Swarajyamag - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- Liberals on course to take majority of N.S. seats, polls and experts agree - CBC - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- Red ripple in blue Calgary? Liberals eye record gains in Conservative stronghold - CBC - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- POLLS: Liberals hold a steady lead, and other poll insights - SooToday.com - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- Liberals vs. Conservatives: comparing proposed immigration policies ahead of the 2025 election - CIC News - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- Candidates make final pitch in Canada election with Liberals holding lead By Reuters - Investing.com - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- Mandryk: Liberals will need more than a few NDP votes to win in Saskatchewan - Regina Leader Post - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- Mark Carneys Liberals will stand up for British Columbia against President Trump - Liberal Party of Canada - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- 'Slugging it out': Liberals up by four points ahead of election, poll finds - National Post - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- Carney tells Assembly of First Nations Liberals are committed to implementing UNDRIP - CBC - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- The phantom menaces of the Liberals and Conservatives - The Globe and Mail - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- Mark Carneys Liberals will protect B.C. workers and build Canada Strong - Liberal Party of Canada - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- First YouGov MRP of 2025 Canadian federal election shows Liberals on track to win a modest majority - YouGov /Research - April 23rd, 2025 [April 23rd, 2025]
- Liberals Vs Conservatives: Where Things Stand In Canada Polls 2025 - NDTV - April 23rd, 2025 [April 23rd, 2025]
- As Canadas Elections Loom, Liberals, Not Trump, Are the Real Danger to the Dominions Sovereignty - The New York Sun - April 23rd, 2025 [April 23rd, 2025]
- Election Writ 4/22: Liberals still favoured after flurry of new polling - The Writ - April 23rd, 2025 [April 23rd, 2025]
- Meet the Conservative populist looking to unseat Canadas Liberals - The Washington Post - April 23rd, 2025 [April 23rd, 2025]
- Liberals and Conservatives fighting for support from centrist voters, poll shows - National Post - April 23rd, 2025 [April 23rd, 2025]
- Letters, April 23: Liberals should thank Trump if they win - Edmonton Sun - April 23rd, 2025 [April 23rd, 2025]
- The fascist moment is here: Have mainstream liberals heard the alarm go off? - Salon.com - April 23rd, 2025 [April 23rd, 2025]
- Mark Carneys Liberals Stand Up to President Trump for Qubec Identity and Economy - Liberal Party of Canada - April 23rd, 2025 [April 23rd, 2025]
- Liberals promise $130B in new spending and no timeline to balance the budget - Yahoo News Canada - April 23rd, 2025 [April 23rd, 2025]
- Bill Maher taunts liberals with 1-word description of himself after Trump dinner - SILive.com - April 23rd, 2025 [April 23rd, 2025]
- What went wrong with the Liberals verification system and what does it mean for the future? - The Globe and Mail - April 23rd, 2025 [April 23rd, 2025]
- Liberals try and recapture Toronto-St. Pauls after byelection loss - CityNews Toronto - April 23rd, 2025 [April 23rd, 2025]
- Mark Carneys Liberals to protect and modernize Canadas public health care system - Liberal Party of Canada - April 23rd, 2025 [April 23rd, 2025]
- John Ivison: Carney takes to showboating as the Liberals savour their comfort zone - National Post - April 23rd, 2025 [April 23rd, 2025]
- Did the Liberals try to strip religious groups of charitable status? - Canada's National Observer - April 23rd, 2025 [April 23rd, 2025]
- Can the teal appeal hold? Liberals targeting Curtin and Goldstein argue independent wave has passed - The Guardian - April 23rd, 2025 [April 23rd, 2025]
- Gilbert: How Wisconsin liberals have made spring elections a nightmare for Republicans - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - April 23rd, 2025 [April 23rd, 2025]
- Opinion: The Liberals and Tories are so similar, they look like Tweedledum and Tweedledee - The Globe and Mail - April 23rd, 2025 [April 23rd, 2025]
- Liberals to release fully costed platform as election campaign hits the homestretch - CityNews Toronto - April 23rd, 2025 [April 23rd, 2025]
- A case study in groupthink: were liberals wrong about the pandemic? | US politics - The Guardian - April 8th, 2025 [April 8th, 2025]
- Federal election: Conservatives and Liberals are targeting different generations and geographies online - The Conversation - April 8th, 2025 [April 8th, 2025]
- GOP must Musk up, liberals vs. the Constitution and other commentary - New York Post - April 8th, 2025 [April 8th, 2025]
- How to make Trump obey courts? Heres an explosive strategy liberals will love - NJ.com - April 8th, 2025 [April 8th, 2025]
- CT liberals united on combating Trump, but issues remain - Connecticut Public - April 8th, 2025 [April 8th, 2025]
- Liberals 'abundance agenda' takes time to absorb, but it's worth it - The Statehouse File - April 8th, 2025 [April 8th, 2025]
- Liberals win majority of the Wisconsin Supreme Court - CNN - April 8th, 2025 [April 8th, 2025]
- Mark Carney visits Victoria as Liberals try to break into southern Vancouver Island - Vancouver Sun - April 8th, 2025 [April 8th, 2025]
- Liberals hold Wisconsin Supreme Court after campaign shaped heavily by Musk - The 19th News - April 8th, 2025 [April 8th, 2025]
- Mark Carneys Liberals to deliver urgent support to protect Canadian retirees in this global crisis - Liberal Party of Canada - April 8th, 2025 [April 8th, 2025]