Chestermere-Strathmore MLA Leela Aheer has announced she will not be running for re-election in 2023.
The two-term MLA, former UCP deputy party leader, and recent UCP leadership nominee formally announced her intention to step away from provincial politics via her Twitter account on Oct. 26.
While giving no explicit reasons for her decision not to run again, Aheer did state the recent change in leadership in her party, with Danielle Smith assuming the party leader role in the early October vote, was a factor in her decision.
“I chose to run for the UCP leadership to reflect my commitment and values, and give back to the province that has given so much to my family and me,” Aheer wrote in a public letter announcing her intention not to run again. “But the (party) members have stated their wishes for leadership and a new direction for our party. I respect their decision.”
Aheer went on to state she would continue to support the government and honour her commitment to Chestermere-Strathmore constituency until her successor is chosen. The next provincial election is slated for May 2023.
The MLA's constituency office in Chestermere responded to a request for comment by replying that Aheer is not taking interviews at this time.
Aheer previously served as Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and the Status of Women under Jason Kenney’s government, as well as deputy party leader. But she was removed from those roles shortly after she offered blunt, public criticism of Kenney when he and several cabinet ministers were caught on camera flouting public health rules in the so-called “Skypalace” scandal at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many in Alberta at the time accused Kenney of hypocrisy, as his government had imposed mandatory masking, gathering restrictions and strict social distancing policies on the general public.
“I am confused and, like you, extremely hurt, and I’m so sorry for any pain, anger, or frustration this may have caused you,” wrote Aheer on Facebook at the time, addressing all Albertans.
“All of us make mistakes, but this one is a big one, and I am truly sorry. You’ve had to manoeuvre, pivot, and adapt to the rules put in place by our government. I can only imagine how disappointed you must be.”
Aheer went on to say later Kenney should show his contrition for this lapse in judgment and apologize.
After being demoted from cabinet, Aheer again called on Kenney to publicly apologize for his government’s “botched” response to skyrocketing infection and hospitalization numbers when the fourth wave of COVID hit later in the year.
"He must show some humility and admit he was wrong and tell us how he will make it right," Aheer posted on Twitter at the time.
Seen by many political observers as a more moderate voice within the UCP, Aheer decided to run for leadership of the party after Kenney announced he would be resigning as party leader and premier earlier this year.
The theme of her leadership campaign was regaining the trust of Albertans.
"We owe that to people … to be able to be truthful about the mistakes that have been made because there's been plenty," Aheer said on the Ryan Jespersen's Real Talk podcast after she first announced her bid.
Continuing her blunt public advocacy, Aheer was one of Danielle Smith’s most vocal opponents during the leadership race, at one point in the Sept. 8 leadership debate calling Smith’s proposed sovereignty act either symbolically meaningless or “blatantly unconstitutional, and the equivalent of starting a bar brawl in the middle of confederation.”
However, the tide was against Aheer, and Smith rode a wave of populist sentiment into the UCP leadership. Aheer was again left standing on the sidelines looking in when Smith appointed her new cabinet earlier this month.
In her letter announcing her intention not to run again, Aheer said despite all the challenges she had faced in politics she was grateful to have been given the opportunity to represent Albertans and Chestermere-Strathmore constituents in public office for seven years.
“No matter who you love or who you pray to, whether you are First Nations, newcomer, or a generational Albertan, this is your Alberta,” she stated. “I am truly grateful you allowed me the opportunity to be part of it.”
