Overview
- Elections Alberta records show the Alberta Party applied to change its name and the approval for the Progressive Tory Party of Alberta took effect on Dec. 18.
- Airdrie–Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie announced the new banner on Dec. 19 via social media and said more details will follow in the new year.
- The United Conservative Party recently passed legislation barring new parties from using terms such as conservative, democratic, liberal, green, independent, reform, republican and wildrose, which Justice Minister Mickey Amery said was to avoid voter confusion.
- Guthrie said choosing the nickname “Tory” exploited a gap in the law that did not capture synonyms.
- The party pitches a progressive-conservative approach focused on fiscal responsibility, reliable public services and respect for democratic institutions, following Guthrie’s April expulsion from the UCP caucus over his criticism of the government’s health contract scandal and a vote with the opposition.