Saying it鈥檚 been 鈥渁 strange day or two,鈥� Dave Hancock reassured Albertans Thursday that their Progressive Conservative government was moving forward, after his caucus selected him to be their interim leader and the province鈥檚 premier.
The five-term MLA was handed the post less than 24 hours after Alison Redford announced that she will step down effective Sunday. Redford had struggled to contain a caucus revolt and plummeting poll numbers.
Hancock gives a government in turmoil a steady, experienced hand. He is a five-term MLA who has served in cabinet posts such as health and education. Redford named him deputy premier during her most recent cabinet shuffle a few months ago.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a strange day or two, but I鈥檓 humbled and privileged to have the confidence of caucus to provide leadership for the government as we go forward,鈥� Hancock told reporters Thursday.
鈥淲e will be providing the government that Albertans want and expect, (that) they elected us to do.鈥�
The government will get to work passing the recently tabled provincial budget and will move forward with other items on the spring legislative agenda, Hancock said. It will also not abandon the Building Alberta fund, a massive infrastructure project that includes hospitals, schools and roads, Hancock vowed.
Redford stepped down during a brief but emotional press conference at the Alberta legislature Wednesday night following months of growing voter outrage over what they perceived to be lavish travel spending, including a $45,000 trip to Nelson Mandela鈥檚 funeral.
In recent days, two PC MLAs stepped down from caucus over leadership and other concerns.
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 Wednesday night. 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�
Redford will remain the MLA for Calgary-Elbow.
Redford did not attend the Thursday morning meeting at which caucus chose her successor. Instead, she arrived close to the meeting鈥檚 end alongside her daughter.
The search for a permanent new leader will begin after the party鈥檚 executive board meets on Monday.
鈥淭he mandate doesn鈥檛 change,鈥� Hancock said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the mandate of government, it鈥檚 the mandate which MLAs were elected under and that鈥檚 what we will continue to do until the party finishes its process in selecting a new leader.鈥�
The party must choose a new leader in no less than four months and in no more than six months. Voting rules have changed since Redford was selected in a come-from-behind victory in 2011. Now, if a candidate does not win an absolute majority on the first ballot, the top two candidates go to a runoff.
Several names have already emerged as potential leadership contenders, including Finance Minister Doug Horner who ran unsuccessfully three years ago.
Horner said Thursday he is unsure whether he will run again.
"Yesterday was a bit of a shock for a lot of people and we are going to take stock and make some decisions in the future about my future,鈥� Horner said.
Employment Minister Thomas Lukaszuk also hasn鈥檛 ruled out making a leadership bid.
Meanwhile, Service Minister Doug Griffiths, another leadership hopeful who lost in 2011, said family matters will prevent him from running again.
Whoever wins will have a big job ahead pulling the party out of the basement of public opinion. The most recent polls put Redford鈥檚 support at a lowly 19 per cent.
Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith, who has the most to gain from a PC collapse, said the problem lies with the party, not its leader.
鈥淭his party is done and it cannot be fixed,鈥� Smith said.
With files from CTV Edmonton and The Canadian Press
