The Breakdown - Episode 3.33 - Leela Aheer

In what is a significant first for us here at the Breakdown, we are proud to present our very first conversation with a UCP MLA. First elected in 2015 under the Wildrose banner and then again in the 2019 election under the UCP Banner, MLA for Chestermere-Strathmore Leela Aheer is the Deputy Leader for the UCP and was appointed as Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism, and Status of Women. After photos of Jason Kenney and some of his cabinet were leaked (cough, cough) showing them disregarding their own public health restrictions and drinking on the legislature grounds, Leela condemned the behaviour and shortly after was stripped of her ministry. Following several other scandals, including a harassment lawsuit launched against the premiers office by a former government Chief of Staff who was fired after raising concerns regarding harassment and alcohol abuse, Leela began to publicly call for Jason Kenney’s resignation. And on this episode, she joins us to discuss these events, and more. (As a minor point of clarification, which to be clear came at the request of Leela Aheer, Jody Wilson-Raybould was first elected as a Liberal in 2015 and then after being expelled from the Liberals in 2019 ran and was elected as an independent. ) As always, if you appreciate the kind of content that we’re trying to produce here at The Breakdown, please consider signing up as a monthly supporter at our patreon site at www.patreon.com/thebreakdownab, and if you’re listening to the audio version of our podcast, please consider leaving us a review and a rating and don’t forget to like and follow us on facebook, twitter and instagram all at @thebreakdownab.