Poilievre appoints Edmonton MP to lead party’s pro-unity campaign ahead of Alberta separatism referendum

Skip to Content Subscribe Our Offers My Account Manage My Subscriptions FAQ Newsletters Canada Canadian True Crime Canadian Politics Health World Israel & Middle East Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Comics NP News Quiz New York Times Crossword Horoscopes Life Eating & Drinking Style Sponsored Play for Ontario Travel Travel Canada Travel USA Travel International Cruises Travel Essentials Culture Books Celebrity Movies Music Theatre Television Business Essentials Advice Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Buy Canadian Home Living Outdoor Living Kitchen & Dining Tech Style & Beauty Personal Care Entertainment & Hobbies Gift Guide Travel Guide Amazon Prime Day Deals Savings National Post Store More Sports Hockey Baseball Basketball Football Soccer Golf Tennis Driving Vehicle Research Reviews News Gear Guide Obituaries Place an Obituary Place an In Memoriam Classifieds Place an Ad Celebrations Working Business Ads Archives Healthing Epaper Manage Print Subscription Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ Newsletters Canada World Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Life Shopping Epaper Manage Print Subscription This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.HomeNewsCanadaCanadian PoliticsPoilievre appoints Edmonton MP to lead party's pro-unity campaign ahead of Alberta separatism referendum‘Our task is not to scold Albertans. It is to hear them,’ Poilievre wrote to Parkland MP Dane Lloyd in a letter confirming the positionLast updated 0 minutes ago You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.MP Dane Lloyd, the Conservative party’s Alberta caucus chair. Photo by Blair Gable/PostmediaOTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is appointing an Edmonton MP and military veteran to take charge of the party’s campaign to convince Albertans to vote to stay in Canada in an upcoming referendum.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERSEnjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. 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Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountThe position was confirmed Sunday to Parkland MP Dane Lloyd in a letter from Poilievre obtained by National Post.“In this role, you will work with me, our leadership team, and the Conservative Alberta Caucus to listen to Albertans, answer their concerns, and lead our work to keep Canada united through hope, respect and real change,” Poilievre wrote.Lloyd, 35, is currently the Conservative party’s Alberta caucus chair. He was named national security adviser to the leader earlier this month, having previously served as critic for emergency preparedness.He was first elected in a 2017 by-election, holding the seat after the resignation of former interim Conservative party leader Rona Ambrose. Prior to entering politics, he was a captain in the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserve.The letter instructs Lloyd to acknowledge Albertans’ “legitimate concerns and grievances” while making the case that a better deal is possible within Confederation.“Our task is not to scold Albertans. It is to hear them,” Poilievre wrote.He also directs Lloyd to remind Albertans that a Conservative government would repeal unpopular Liberal resource and gun control policies.”This is not a zero-sum fight. What is good for Alberta is good for Canada. More pipelines, more homes, lower taxes, safer streets, stronger borders and more freedom will help workers and families in every province,” writes Poilievre.“I know that your service to our country in the Armed Forces has given you the fortitude needed to help lead the Conservative response to this referendum,” wrote Poilievre.Lloyd is one of 33 Conservative MPs representing Alberta in the House of Commons, where the party holds all but four of the province’s seats. He was one of the first to express his support for a united Canada after Poilievre announced in May that he and his caucus would be campaigning for the federalist side.Some members of the party’s Alberta caucus have reportedly been reticent to express support for a united Canada, particularly those from rural parts of the province where separatism enjoys some of its strongest support.The Alberta referendum will take place on Oct. 19. Albertans will vote on whether to remain in Canada or start the legal process required under the Constitution to hold a binding referendum on independence.National Post rmohamed@postmedia.comOur website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.