Premier Ed Stelmach has always put Albertans first and so when he occupied the premier’s chair in the Alberta Legislature for the last time Thursday with the conclusion of the spring session, it was a sad day for Alberta, according to St. Paul-Lac La Biche MLA Ray Danyluk.
Describing the premier’s job as “the most thankless job in Alberta,” the Infrastructure minister said Friday he was “very happy” for Stelmach but “it’s a sad day for Albertans. He always put Albertans first.”
Stelmach announced in late January he would not run as a candidate in the next provincial election. He was first elected to the Alberta Legislature in 1993 and became the Progressive Conservative leader in 2006 following Ralph Klein’s retirement. Danyluk was the first MLA in Alberta to stand up and publicly support Stelmach when the Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA threw his hat into the leadership ring.
“He was committed to very much doing the right thing. If he said it, he would do it,” Danyluk said of Stelmach, adding the premier was not one to play games. “I always knew, when I walked out his office, where I stood.”
Infrastructure has always been a priority for Stelmach, Danyluk said, adding the premier was focused on Alberta being ready for the next economic upswing. During the recession, through the Sustainability Fund, he kept infrastructure stable and kept Albertans working, he said.
“He was never one to stand on the pedestal and expect congratulations, his position was just get it done. You don’t only need the vision but also the persistence to do it.”
The timeline for Stelmach’s replacement involve Stelmach sending a letter of resignation as the party leader, likely within the next couple of weeks, Danyluk estimated. The official nomination of leadership hopefuls would then take place, followed by a leadership race likely in late September or early October.
Danyluk is not interested in the province’s top job for himself, saying he got involved in politics to begin with because of his desire to work for and with communities.
“Being involved with community, that’s where my heart is, in the constituency. I’m not going anywhere.”
