Alberta's new leader gets to work

Alberta's first female premier-designate says there won't be room for some well-known politicians when she puts her cabinet together.

 Alison Redford isn't saying who will be left out, but she indicates some recognizable names will be off the list.

"I think that Progressive Conservatives [PC] in this province have provided very good government and many strong ministers, but there's also an opportunity to do something different and I think Albertans asked for that on Saturday night," said Redford, referring to her second ballot win of the Tory leadership.

She is wasting no time preparing for her new role, including forming a transition team to help choose her cabinet and hire key people in the premier's office.

After picking her cabinet, Redford says she wants a legislative session — complete with a throne speech and new budget  —but has already ruled out a fall sitting.

Oil industry uncertain

If the oilpatch is worried about Alberta's new leadership, it's not showing it.

In a statement, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers president David Collyer says it’s looking forward to working with the new premier "to enable responsible growth of the Alberta oil and gas industry, for the benefit of Albertans and all Canadians."

One of the industry's top priorities is to get the Keystone XL pipeline approved and the premier-designate seems to be listening.

"We will be making that case in Washington," Redford told CBC Alberta@Noon host Donna McElligott Monday.

The premier hasn't ruled out a trip to Washington herself.

"We're just making those decisions now," she said.

The company behind it, TransCanada, feels either a verbal or written submission from the premier-designate would be a symbolic gesture that would mean so much for the industry.

Experts also caution the new leader to tread carefully and avoid a mistake made by the former premier.

"Knowing what's happened before with Premier [Ed] Stelmach there were some concerns there when the royalty review came out without a lot of consultation with the industry," said Haskayne School of Business professor Bob Schultz.

"The industry is gonna want consultation on anything new and support on existing projects."

Schultz said the mood right now is uncertainty.

Environmentalists excited

The Pembina Institute says with Redford as leader Alberta may become greener.

The institute says Redford is promising to "improve the social and environmental sustainability of the province's hydrocarbon resources."

Pembina’s executive director Ed Whittingham thinks that means recognizing the environmental limits to developing the oilsands and promising to develop renewable energy technologies.

"I think there's a big opportunity for Alberta to reduce emissions associated with its electricity grid, which is largely coal-based, but bringing on a lot of wind, which we have the tremendous potential for in Alberta," he said.

Rural vote intact?

Marvin Garriott has run a small diner in Black Diamond for the past 11 years and feels he had a good idea of what rural voters are talking about following the election of a new Tory leader.

"I think the talk is a lot more about Danielle Smith actually," he said pointing to the Wildrose leader, Alberta’s other right-leaning party.

Garriott was a longtime PC supporter but has since gone over to Wildrose. He believes the election of Redford, known as a Red Tory, will push other rural voters to make the same move.

But he doesn’t speak for all right-of-centre voters. Walter Burton has been a Tory voter for 25 years and said he’s not going anywhere.

"I think the party is still very strong," said Burton. "It needed a change in leadership. They've got someone now in place ... we got to give her a chance to deliver."

Nurses hopeful

The United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) says it looks forward to working with Redford to enhance and protect the province's public health care system.

UNA president Heather Smith says in a release they believe her election shows the depth of support for public health care among PC party members and all Albertans.

Smith noted that Redford was the only Tory leadership candidate to meet Alberta nurses' union representatives during the campaign.

Reaction pours in

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement Sunday congratulating Redford and her team on their election victory.

 "I look forward to working with premier-designate Redford on issues that matter to Albertans and all Canadians, including the challenges posed by the current global economic climate," said Harper.

'It's great to see that Alberta has changed. Look at the diversity of all leaders.' — Alberta Liberal leader Raj Sherman

The newly-appointed Alberta Liberal opposition leader Raj Sherman tweeted out his congratulations to Redford and her team Sunday for a well-run campaign and victory.

"It's great to see that Alberta has changed. Look at the diversity of all leaders," Sherman followed up with on Twitter.

Alberta New Democrats leader Brian Mason joined in by tweeting, "Congratulations to Alison Redford. I look forward to a productive and vigorous debate."

The leader of the Wildrose party says while having two strong female party leaders in Alberta is exciting, Redford’s election does not mean the Conservatives are heading in the right direction.

Danielle Smith says Redford's policies could mean the same old thing — throwing money at problems and centralizing decision making. Smith says her party wants local decision making and money on the front line.

The Wildrose released the final piece of its 15-part platform Monday.

Calgary mayor happy

Calgary's mayor says choosing Redford will pay dividends for the city as he appreciates her take on municipal issues.

"It will be great to have a Calgarian who understands the important role of our big cities," said Mayor Naheed Nenshi about the Calgary-Elbow MLA in a statement.  

He pointed to a CitiesMatter.ca survey, which was a series of questions the mayor sent to all of the Tory leadership candidates on issues that affect Calgary.

Nenshi said Redford was strong on saying the province needs to look at civic charters and new ways to finance municipal government.

"These reforms will grant Calgary additional financial flexibility, giving it more money and increased discretion to spend it," Redford wrote in her reply.