Ric McIver appointed Interim Leader of PC Alberta

The PCs have picked former Calgary city councillor and Calgary-Hays MLA Ric McIver to lead the party after Jim Prentice stepped down following the defeat of his government in the provincial election last week.

“I’m honoured my caucus colleagues would entrust me to lead the party during this very important time,” said McIver, in a release on Monday. “We have a great caucus team, and everyone will be working to rebuild our party with the interests of Albertans at heart.”

“Our caucus has the experience to move this party forward,” said Terri Beaupre, President of PC Alberta. “Ric has spent nearly a decade on Calgary City Council, has held multiple key cabinet positions on the provincial level, and won his second term as the MLA of Calgary-Hays last week. I look forward to working with Ric and our caucus as we shape our future.”

McIver spoke to the media on the steps of the McDougall Centre in Calgary following the announcement and said he is ready to serve Albertans.

“We’ve resigned to what happened and people are wanting to serve. Everybody’s attitude is how do we help, how do we make Alberta better, how do we protect Alberta from bad things happening and how do we create that better future for our children and grandchildren that we were hired to do?” said McIver.

He would not say whether he would accept the position permanently saying “That’s a question for another day. “

McIver was elected as an MLA in 2010 and served as Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour and Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure under the PC banner.