Stelmach prepares to take charge as premier

The new leader of Alberta's Progressive Conservative party will be sworn in as premier on Dec. 15.

Speaking in Edmonton Monday during his first news conference since being elected as head of the party, Ed Stelmachspoke briefly about his direction for government policy.

He promised to follow through ona review of Alberta's oil royalty structureand ensure the province is getting the most out of the resource.

"That's what came forward from Albertans on the campaign trail," he said.

Attracting more workers for Alberta's booming economy, spending more on infrastructure,and bolstering housing will be thekey priorities for his government, said Stelmach.

Stelmach said he would look atwhether morebitumen extracted from the oilsandscan be processed within Alberta instead of shipped to refineries in the United States.

However,he stressed heisnot about to make any changes that will slow down growth in the industry.

"The role of the government is to ensure that the services are in place as more people come to the province ofAlberta and the economy grows," he said.

"We're here to deliver the services required, there is no such thing as touching the brake or anything like that."

'Good long chat' with prime minister

Stelmach said he had already had a "good long chat" with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and expects his relationship with Ottawa will be a "good one."

"As I said during the campaign I'm one that wants to build relationships," he said.

"As the leader of the province ofAlberta I want to work with Stephen Harper and Ottawato make sure we build even a stronger Canada."

Stelmach wants to create a supplementaryAlberta pension plan, similar to Quebec's. He saidMonday he'll be watching to ensure that any new powers given to that province are extended to Alberta as well.

"It was very clear during the campaign that I'm going to fight for the same rights and privileges being assigned to this 'nation within a nation.'"

When asked by an audience member about Liberals who "seemed to be plottingthe economic raid of Alberta's resources," Stelmach said: "Well, they're going to be dealing with me."

New smaller cabinet

Stelmach said he would be meeting with the Tory caucuson Wednesday andannounce his new smallercabinet next week. He wouldn't say who would be in his cabinet or how many members it will have.

"I know that it's been an emotionalroller-coaster ride for all of the members," he said.

"I would like to bring them all to the caucus table, have a good chat and make sure we are all focused as a team after this leadership."

'Nobody is going to get left out'

Stelmach was alsoasked how he would reach out to Calgary because his support was stronger in Edmonton and rural Alberta.

"As a minister I've always found balance in how I looked after Edmonton and Calgary needs, and rural needs, and I'll continue to do that," he said.

"Nobody is going toget left out under my leadership."

Elected on the weekend

Stelmach began his press conference Monday by thanking his campaign team and volunteers, holding back tears as he talked about their efforts. He also thanked Alberta's civil service.

Stelmach was chosen as the party's leader during a weekend vote by party members.

With all 83 constituencies reporting early Sunday, Stelmach recorded 35.9 per cent of the vote, edging past 35.5 per cent for Jim Dinning. Ted Morton finished third with 28.6 per cent and dropped off the three-man ballot.

A total of 144,289 card-carrying party members voted, listing their first and second choices. With no candidate garnering a majority, Morton's supporters' second choices were apportioned to the top two to determine a winner.

The final tabulation gave Stelmach 53.9 per cent of the vote, compared with 38.5 per cent for Dinning, who was the front-runner going into the second ballot.

Sizing up the premier-designate

Before Stelmach's speech Monday morning, Alberta politicians and business peoplewere still busy sizing up the new premier-designate.

Calgary's Mayor Dave Bronconnier said he hopes Stelmach will follow through with a campaign promise to give municipalities $1.4 billion for infrastructure.

"We want to meet with him as soon as he is ready to help craft that policy, put the finishing touches on it, and of course get to work on building more infrastructure, not only in Calgary but for the rest of Alberta municipalities."

Dan Kelly, spokesman for Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said Stelmach's campaign platform was short on details.

"Early indications are positive. He's certainly speaking some of the right language on regulatory reform, on the shortage of labour that we're facing in Alberta. I'd like to see a little bit more on the taxation side."

Stelmach has shown a willingness to run his government differently, said Kelly.

"We've seen so many ad-hoc, last-minute decisions added into our provincial finances, and that's a real concern from a business perspective," he said. "Stelmach has committed to ensuring budgets are set and then budgets are kept."

Alberta Liberal leader Kevin Taft said he doesn't know much about Stelmach's policies.

"I've sat in the legislature across from him for five years and I haven't seen him bring forward any particular initiatives of any kind to be honest with you."