Calgary – Ken Hughes, MLA, Calgary West, announces that he will not run in the next provincial election.
“It has been a great honour to serve the people of Calgary West as their MLA. Today I am announcing that I will not be running in the next provincial election.
I wanted to make my future intentions known before Premier-elect Prentice selects his new cabinet. It is not appropriate to allow my name to stand for cabinet consideration given that I have decided not to seek re-election.
Nobody can argue with the analysis that the Progressive Conservative Party, the caucus, the cabinet and the government need renewal. Since last spring, I have argued that fundamental renewal is critical for Albertans to achieve our potential.
I am taking this personal step at this time to help create momentum for that renewal. There can be no space at the cabinet table if some people don’t step back and allow renewal to take place. The strongest possible way for me to make this statement about the importance of renewal and support Jim Prentice in his work is to take this step.
Jim Prentice and I have known each other for decades; he is a long-time friend. He understands Alberta, and Alberta’s important role in the world. He also understands smaller Alberta communities because of his roots there.
I have had the rare honour to serve Albertans in different ways for more than six years in recent history and five years as an MP before that. For nearly three and a half years, I took on the challenge as the founding Chair of Alberta Health Services. I served as Minister of Energy of 19 months and Minister of Municipal Affairs for 4 months before stepping aside to engage Albertans in the leadership process. I am very proud of the many specific accomplishments in each of these roles.
I will continue to work hard for the people of Calgary West. I want to thank my constituents for their support and encouragement.”