Alison Redford is stepping down as premier of Alberta, effective this Sunday.
Redford announced her resignation as leader of Alberta鈥檚 ruling Progressive Conservative party Wednesday evening, following weeks of intense criticism that she was abusing her political power as head of government.
Without addressing specifics, Redford called the turmoil within government in recent weeks 鈥渁 distraction鈥� that is getting in the way of her party鈥檚 mandate, and that it鈥檚 been 鈥渨eighing heavily鈥� on her mind.
鈥淨uite simply, I am not prepared to allow party and caucus infighting to get in the way of building a better future for our province and for all Albertans,鈥� Redford said in a brief speech. 鈥淎nd that is why I am announcing today that with a profound optimism for Alberta鈥檚 future, I am resigning as premier of Alberta, effective this Sunday.鈥�
To loud applause, an emotional Redford said she has given her 鈥渉eart and soul to this province鈥� every day for the last two years.
She touted her government鈥檚 record, saying they鈥檝e kept taxes low while implementing social programs and improving infrastructure.
The embattled premier has been facing down critics since early this year, when she expensed about $45,000 for a trip overseas for Nelson Mandela鈥檚 funeral.
For weeks, Redford ignored calls to refund the money, which many called an extravagant and unnecessary use of public funds.
In mid-March, Redford apologized and repaid the costs associated with the trip, but it appeared the damage was already done.
Critics lambasted Redford for what they called a sense of entitlement as more revelations of questionable spending were brought to light, including allegations that Redford had flown on her own government plane while Progressive Conservative MLAs took half-empty flights to the same destinations.
Backlash reached a fever pitch in recent weeks, when backbencher Len Webber quit the Progressive Conservatives to sit as an Independent last Thursday, claiming Redford was a 鈥渂ully.鈥�
And then Steve Robson, president of the PC association in the northeast Edmonton, called on Redford to step down, calling her an 鈥渁rrogant鈥� leader who doesn鈥檛 listen to her caucus.
Donna Kennedy-Glans, associate minister for electricity, also quit Redford鈥檚 caucus to sit as an Independent, criticizing what she called the government鈥檚 culture of entitlement.
Shortly after Redford鈥檚 announcement, Wildrose Party Leader Danielle Smith said that her resignation indicates the PC party鈥檚 problems 鈥渞un far too deep for one leader to change.鈥�
Smith said that Redford was elected as an 鈥渙utsider鈥� who would 鈥渇undamentally change鈥� what it meant to be a Progressive Conservative.
鈥淚 have no doubt that she intended to be that leader, I have no doubt that Albertans had high hopes that she would be that leader, but what we鈥檝e witnessed during her short, 29 months as premier is the clearest indication yet that the PC party simply can鈥檛 be fixed,鈥� Smith said.
She added that the business of governing Alberta will now 鈥渙nce again take a backseat鈥� to the internal politics of the PC party as they look for a new leader.
However, Smith said Redford 鈥済ave everything she had鈥� to her job as premier 鈥渁nd for that, she should be proud and for that, we should be thankful.鈥�
In a statement, Stephen Harper thanked Redford for her years of service and her 鈥渃ommitment to the people of Alberta and to Canada.鈥�
鈥淲e wish her the best in whatever comes next,鈥� Harper said.
In a tweet, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird called Redford a 鈥渟mart and classy woman鈥� and also wished her all the best.
Redford鈥檚 resignation comes as her approval rating plummeted to 18 per cent, the lowest of all Alberta party leaders. The poll, released Wednesday, show Redford鈥檚 approval rating dropped 40 points in the last year and a half.
Redford was elected premier in 2011.
