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Alison Merrilla Redford ECA KC (born March 7, 1965) is a Canadian lawyer and former politician. She was the 14th premier of Alberta, having served in this capacity from October 7, 2011, to March 23, 2014. Redford was born in Kitimat, British Columbia, and grew up all over Canada and overseas before settling in Calgary as a teenager.

Key Information

In the 2008 provincial election, Redford was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the district of Calgary-Elbow. She served in the cabinet of Ed Stelmach as the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Redford became premier upon winning the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta, and on April 23, 2012, she led her party to victory in the 2012 provincial election. Redford is the first female premier in the province's history and the eighth woman to serve as a premier in the history of Canada.[1] Of the Alberta premiers with an elected mandate, her term in office was the shortest.[2]

On March 19, 2014, Redford announced that she would resign as premier of Alberta effective March 23, 2014.[3] She was succeeded by Deputy Premier Dave Hancock on an interim basis.[4] She announced her resignation as an MLA on August 6, 2014.[5]

Early life

[edit]

Redford was born March 7, 1965, in Kitimat, British Columbia, the daughter of Helen Kay (née Anderson) and Merrill Redford.[6] Her mother was a Scottish immigrant, originally from Glasgow.[7] Redford's family moved to Nova Scotia and Borneo, and to Calgary by the time Redford was 12.[8] She graduated from Bishop Carroll High School, Calgary, and the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan in 1988.[9]

Throughout the 1990s, Redford worked as a technical adviser on constitutional and legal reform issues in various parts of Africa for the European Union, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Canadian Government and the Government of Australia. Her work in Africa focused on human rights litigation, developing education programs, and policy reform with respect to gender issues.[9]

One of Redford's most notable appointments was by the Secretary-General of the United Nations as one of the four International Election Commissioners to administer Afghanistan's first parliamentary elections, held in September 2005. Political issues in the elections program within Alberta at that time were under question by the Elections Commissioner. She also served as an adviser to the Privy Council Office on Canada's future involvement in Afghanistan subsequent to the elections. Her work has included assignments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Namibia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and the Philippines. Before her most current post, Redford managed a judicial training and legal reform project for the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme People's Court in Vietnam.[9]

Redford is also a past member of the Girl Guides of Canada and was featured in a museum exhibit about prominent Girl Guides at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery.[10]

Political career

[edit]

Federal politics

[edit]

In the 1980s Redford served as Senior Policy Advisor to former Prime Minister Joe Clark, who was the Secretary of State for External Affairs. She went on to work in the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada from 1988 to 1990, under Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.[8] In this capacity, Redford organized a series of national foreign policy consultations facilitating public input on the Government of Canada's White Papers on Foreign Affairs and Defence. In the Canadian Parliament, she was also the Principal Legislative Advisor to the Secretary of State for External Affairs.[11]

In 2004, Redford unsuccessfully challenged Member of Parliament Rob Anders for the federal Conservative nomination in Calgary West.[6][12]

Provincial politics

[edit]

On March 13, 2008, after being elected MLA for the constituency of Calgary-Elbow, Redford was named Minister of Justice and Attorney General by Premier Ed Stelmach. In addition, she also served as a member of the Agenda and Priorities Committee, the Treasury Board, and the Cabinet Policy Committee on Public Safety and Services.[9] She resigned from the cabinet in early 2011 to devote herself to her campaign to succeed Stelmach as leader of the governing Progressive Conservative Party.

Premier

[edit]

Party leadership

[edit]
See also: 2011 Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta leadership election

On February 16, 2011, Redford announced she would be a candidate in the Progressive Conservative Association leadership race to succeed Stelmach, who had announced in January he would resign as leader and premier once his successor was chosen.[13] Redford was largely considered an outsider and had the support of only one MLA in her leadership campaign.[14]

In the first round of voting held on September 18, 2011, Redford placed second behind Gary Mar, the perceived frontrunner and the preferred candidate of caucus, with 19 per cent of the vote compared to 41 per cent for Mar. Redford's supporters included a large percentage of new members who had purchased party memberships solely to support her bid to provide progressive new leadership to a party which had held power in the province since 1971. Redford's promise to reverse the government's $107-million education cut gained the support of teachers and appealed to many Albertans who had lost confidence in the party establishment. [14][15] With no candidate winning the necessary 50 per cent plus one on the first ballot a second and third round of voting was held on October 2, 2011.[16] After the third round of voting Redford beat Mar, winning 51 per cent of the vote.[17]

Redford was sworn in as Alberta's 14th Premier at the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton on October 7, 2011.[18][19]

2012 election

[edit]
Main article: 2012 Alberta general election

On March 26, 2012, Redford met with Lieutenant Governor Don Ethell, who dissolved the current legislature and called an election for April 23, 2012.[20] After the election was called, support for the Wildrose Party supposedly surged past Redford's Progressive Conservatives. Throughout the campaign it was thought by some that the Wildrose, led by Danielle Smith, would win a majority government, ending the PC's 40-year reign.[21][22]

However, on election night, the Progressive Conservatives shocked pollsters and media pundits, by winning a twelfth majority government, taking 61 of the 87 seats in the provincial legislature—a loss of only five seats.[23] The Wildrose Party accused her of pursuing moderate policies to attract Liberal and NDP supporters in an attempt to prevent the right-wing Wildrose Party from gaining a foothold. [23][24] Wildrose lost momentum in the final weeks of the campaign, due to Smith's defence of two Wildrose candidates who had made controversial remarks.[25] According to the National Post, two of the Wildrose candidates' extreme views, as well as Smith's refusal to condemn them, cost her a chance of unseating Redford.[26] Ultimately, Wildrose failed to get much support in the urban areas, winning only two seats in Calgary and being shut out in Edmonton. With this win, Redford became the fourth woman in Canadian history to lead a political party to victory in an election, after Catherine Callbeck in Prince Edward Island, Pat Duncan in Yukon, and Kathy Dunderdale in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Redford campaigning during the 2012 provincial election

As part of the PC campaign platform, Redford expressed her intentions to work with nonprofits, calling for the creation of a new Department of Human Services as a "single point of entry" for non-profits.[27] Redford promised to build, of which some have now opened, 50 new schools, and renovate 70 more over the next four years.[28]

Post-2012 election Premiership

[edit]

Fiscal policy

[edit]

One of Redford's first actions as Premier was to abolish extra pay for committee work by Members of the Legislative Assembly. The issue of committee pay had been contentious during the 2012 election, and news of a so-called "No-Meet Committee" in which MLAs were paid handsomely for little or no actual work had prompted wide public outrage.[29] Another election issue had been "gold-plated pensions" and Redford rejected the advice of a panel of experts to reinstate handsome pensions for MLAs, as well as a suggestion she hike her own salary in excess of $300,000, instead vowing not to take a pension at all.[29] In the wake of public spending scandals involving the Minister for Tourism and senior executives with Alberta Health Services, Redford also instituted new transparency measures and accountability in the form of public disclosure of expense spending.[29] In 2013, after much public discussion following the dismissal of her chief of staff and the refusal to discuss his severance, Redford announced the creation of a "sunshine list" - a public disclosure of salaries and severances for public sector workers in the highest levels of Alberta's public sector.[29]

A year after she resigned her role as Premier, Redford reflected on her tenure in a Globe and Mail interview:

After a long stretch of soul-searching, she was reluctant to identify specific mistakes she made, but did point to a range of other factors contributing to her difficulties, from her gender to back-stabbing in her own caucus.[30]

Education and labour

[edit]

Some labour unions criticized the first budget, claiming that the Conservative government failed to honour a 2012 provincial election promises to continue increases to post-secondary education at a rate of 2%. Instead the budget was cut by 7.2%.[31] On October 9, 2013, following 900 academic staff and faculty job losses across the province, Thomas Lukazuk, the Minister responsible for Advanced Education, announced $142.5 million had come available to construct a new Engineering building at University of Calgary.[32] This figure was a controversial amount, close to the $147 million needed to reverse cuts 8 months before. The decision was also at odds with the government's written assurances to university administrators on July 3, 2013 that they would advocate to reverse the budget cuts if additional dollars became available: "Look guys, you're not happy, I'm not happy with this budget. But this is the reality ... The moment I have any extra dollars I can access, I'll be the first on my knees before the treasury board advocating for you to get your dollars. But in the meantime, get your financial houses in order," he said.[33]

Bill 45
[edit]

However, in 2013, the Redford government tabled Bill 45 which increased fines for illegal strikes. Protests against Bill 45 came from the AUPE as well as the United Nurses of Alberta, Health Sciences Association of Alberta and Canadian Union of Provincial Employees-Alberta, representing 85,000 Albertans.[34] Bill 45 imposes severe economic sanctions on provincial workers that strike. Those workers are already forbidden from striking as they are deemed "essential services." On March 20, 2015 it was reported that Bill 45 was being repealed. Premier Jim Prentice, Redford's successor, announced that "I don't agree with the content of the legislation and we will move forward and define essential service legislation that is as respectful of our employees as it is respectful of taxpayers." The AUPE felt that "'one of the most odious remnants of the Redford era' will be gone."[35]

Bill 46
[edit]

The government also passed Bill 46: Public Service Salary Restraint Act which unilaterally stripped the union of its right to arbitration, a right previously granted by Premier Peter Lougheed.[36][37] The AUPE launched a legal challenge against Bill 46, and two months later Court of Queen's Bench Justice Denny Thomas granted an indefinite injunction, saying that "the legislation could irreparably harm labour relations, guts the collective bargaining process and effectively emasculates the AUPE." Redford continued to defend the legislation and "reiterated the government's intent to appeal the judge's order."[38] In the words of one observer, "the Redford government felt it was necessary to come down hard on them in order to snuff out any hope of wage increases that might add to the provincial budget deficit."[39] Following Redford's resignation, the AUPE and the Hancock government reached a tentative agreement calling for an immediate $1800 lump sum for salaried employees (prorated for wage earners) and a pay increase of 6.75% to be spread over four years.[40] The compensation deal proposed by the Redford government had been just 2% over four years and an $875 lump sum in 2014/15.[41] The government dropped its appeal against the injunction after the deal with the AUPE was reached.[42]

Energy

[edit]

With Redford advocating for the oil industry and British Columbia premier Christy Clark in opposition, their relationship was described as "rocky." The main area of contention was a trans-provincial pipeline. Controversy and delays in approving the Keystone XL Pipeline focused attention on moving bitumen from Alberta to the west coast.[43] Clark had initially demanded a share of royalties in exchange for granting access to build the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines, prompting a "frosty" response from Redford in October 2012.[44] In November 2013, a framework for a deal was worked out between the two leaders, with Redford's position on royalties remaining unchanged.[45] One analyst remarked that the "public scuffle with British Columbia’s Premier, Christy Clark, over the Northern Gateway pipeline, was a first indication of unproductive handling" of energy issues by Redford's government. There was also an instability of appointments in the energy portfolios (including the removal of Ken Hughes as energy minister and the resignation of Kennedy-Glans as associate minister for electricity and renewable resources).[46]

Handling of Mike Allen's sex scandal

[edit]

On July 15, 2013, Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo MLA Mike Allen was charged with soliciting prostitution during a government trip to St. Paul, Minnesota. The Human Trafficking Department of the St. Paul Police Department said Allen had responded to an ad posted by an undercover officer on Backpage. Allen resigned from the PC caucus when he was released from police custody the next morning, and sat in the Alberta Legislature as an Independent MLA.

Redford could not call for Allen's resignation after he resigned from caucus, but was "shocked," "disappointed" and "disgusted" with "that MLA's conduct," and refused to mention Allen by name when she was asked about him by media.[47][48] Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith claimed to call for Allen's resignation so a byelection (in which her party had massive support) could be called.[49] NDP Leader Brian Mason said Redford did not want to risk losing Allen's seat to an opposition party, and said she was hypocritical to condemn Allen's action but not call for a resignation.[50]

Fulfilment of mandate

[edit]

Many of the Redford government's decisions were reversed by career politician Premier Jim Prentice once he assumed office. When the 2014 fall legislative session was prorogued, two controversial bills died on the order paper (the Public Sector Pension Plans Amendment Act (Bill 9) and the Employment Pension (Private Sector) Plans Amendment Act (Bill 10)). The move satisfied the AUPE who had objected to these bills, in concert with Bills 45 and 46. The promise was also made not to re-introduce Bills 9 and 10.[51] The following day, it was announced that Prentice would visit Michener Centre, a long term care center controversially marked for closure by the Redford government. Opposition parties had called on successive governments to keep the centre open.[52][53] Many of Prentice's first actions in office were seen as an attempt to rehabilitate the Progressive Conservative Party in the eyes of the public.[54] On March 20, 2015 Prentice announced that Bill 45 would be repealed, stating "I don't agree with the content of the legislation."[55]

Controversy and resignation

[edit]

In 2013, at the invitation of the Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Redford and numerous provincial premiers attended the funeral of Nelson Mandela, with whom she worked with and for in the fight against Apartheid.[56] Her attendance created a controversy when it was revealed the Alberta government covered the approximately $45,000 cost for her trip, including roughly $10,000 for a privately chartered flight to return to Alberta from South Africa for a swearing-in of the new Alberta Cabinet.[57] Redford's travel further elicited disapproval from social media pundits when it was revealed that Redford's 12-year-old daughter and her friend had occasionally travelled with her mother on official government trips.[58] In mid-March 2014, Redford repaid the costs of the Mandela funeral trip and apologized.[59] It was reported in the press that the money was repaid only after weeks of refusals to do so, and Redford "only relented after tensions within her caucus spilled into the public realm."[60]

The fallout over the Mandela funeral trip led to further scrutiny, with subsequent revelations of Redford's expenses to promote the province and questionable spending, while her government was making public service cuts.[14] This led to some claiming abuse of power and a culture of entitlement.[59][61] Critics also pointed out that Redford's staff had high salaries, including her chief of staff who earned more than his counterparts who worked for the Canadian Prime Minister or U.S. President.[62][63][64][65] Further public allegations were that Redford's executive assistant charged $9,000 in lodging while working in Edmonton, averaging $200 a night for what the press referred to as "luxury hotel" stays.[66]

Despite winning the party leadership and general election, some unions claimed that Redford did not fulfill campaign promises. At the same time, others complained that the province had an accumulated debt of $8.7-billion (the Canadian Taxpayers Federation projected that it would reach $17-billion by 2016),[67] aided by changes to the accounting rules made in the 2013 budget.[15]

As a result of these controversies, Redford's personal approval rating dropped to 18 per cent (the first sitting Alberta premier since Don Getty to have an approval rating below 20 per cent) and party support fell to 19 per cent, versus 46 per cent for opposition Wildrose.[14] Backbencher Len Webber quit the Progressive Conservative caucus to sit as an Independent, saying that Redford was a "not a nice woman" and a bully". Steve Robson, president of the PC association in the northeast Edmonton, described Redford as an "arrogant" leader who does not listen to her caucus and called on her to resign.[64][59] During the weekend of March 15–16, 2014, Redford met the PC party executive in a closed-door meeting, where she faced a caucus revolt, with 10 MLAs announcing publicly their intention to meet on March 16 to debate whether to leave the PC party and sit as Independents. On March 17, the rookie associate minister for electricity Donna Kennedy-Glans left the PC caucus.[64] Later that week, some riding association presidents were preparing non-confidence motions in Redford's leadership.[14]

On March 19, 2014, Redford announced she would resign as premier of Alberta, effective March 23, 2014.[3] She was succeeded by deputy premier Dave Hancock as the interim party leader and premier until Jim Prentice was chosen as a successor at a leadership election, which was the Progressive Conservative Party's third contest in eight years.[4][68][69] Redford announced her resignation as the MLA for Calgary-Elbow on August 6, one day before an Auditor General's report into her travel expenses was scheduled for release.[70] On August 7, 2014 a report by the Auditor General of Alberta noted that as Premier she and her office had "used public resources inappropriately," "used public assets (aircraft) for personal and partisan purposes" and that Redford "was involved in a plan to convert public space in a public building into personal living space." The report concluded that these abuses arose due to an "aura of power around Premier Redford and her office and the perceptions that the influence of the office should not be questioned."[71][72] The key findings included:

  • The (Premier's) office did not comply with the expense policy because the staff responsible for approving expenses did not document their rationale for key decisions that impacted travel costs. These key decisions included the type and class of transportation used by and the standard of accommodation provided to Premier Redford and her office staff.
  • The government does not require a premier to certify that costs incurred by a premier or on behalf of a premier are for government business and are a reasonable use of public resources.
  • There was no formal oversight structure to monitor the office's travel expenses and use of government aircraft.
  • Government aircraft policy was not followed. There was personal and partisan use of the aircraft by Premier Redford.[72][73]

Post-resignation MLA

[edit]

Continuing financial controversy

[edit]

Following Redford's resignation, further allegations of fiscal mis-management came to light.

Travel spending

[edit]

Overspending on a trip to India was revealed, to the tune of $11,000, when members of Redford's "inner circle" flew on a trade mission to India then stopped over in the United Kingdom before a conference in Switzerland.[74] Further scrutiny by media and opposition parties has led to a re-examination of fifty government flights in which Redford's daughter and her nanny) were accommodated, as well as two trips to the mountain resort of Jasper, Alberta.[75] There was no official reply to repeated requests for information from both Redford and interim Premier Dave Hancock and, subsequently, no evidence to substantiate a claim that the Jasper trips were for government business.[76] Even more documents released by the Auditor General of Alberta on July 29, 2014 suggested that Redford's staff falsified aircraft bookings in order that Redford could fly alone with her staff rather than permitting other government officials or passengers access to government planes.[77]

Travel scout

[edit]

On June 25, 2014, the CBC reported that even more documents had come to light revealing "hundreds of thousands" of dollars in additional travel-related expenses, including $330,000 for a civil servant a government employee Michele Tetreault who acted as a trip scout, including work on excursions the opposition criticized as "politicking at public expense." These expenses were never publicly disclosed nor proven.[78] The Auditor General's report elaborated on the role of the trip scout, which was a new position created shortly after the 2012 election. The following year Tetreault's salary was listed as $127,827 annually. Among her duties was advance travel to locations the Premier was expected to visit, and emails released in the wake of the Auditor General's report reveal that among her activities she was "forwarding photos of hotels and suites, sussing out suitable patios and restaurants and at least once advising on public toilets." The position was cancelled after Redford's resignation as Premier, and Tetreault was reassigned within the government.[79]

Skypalace

[edit]

On March 28, 2014, it was reported that Redford had ordered a private penthouse for herself and her daughter in a government building close to the Legislature, to be constructed by the provincial government.[80] The renovations became known as "Skypalace" in the press, and even though the contentious renovations were leaked to the media, they were apparently never cancelled.[81] The total cost for the "Skypalace" is estimated $2.76 Million.

Personal staff

[edit]

The cost incurred by the severance packages of her personal support staff also drew criticism. According to the terms of the contracts they were engaged under, her chief of staff, communications director and other "senior staffers" became entitled to receive a total of over 1 million dollars in severance benefits.[62] Additional payouts to staff and executive council accounted for an additional 1.3 million dollars.[82] In May 2014 it was revealed that Redford was assigned a personal protective security detail from the Calgary Police Service, at a forecast of $1.8M over budget. Her predecessor, Ed Stelmach, was protected by seven provincial sheriffs. Heavily redacted documents obtained by the media gave no evidence as to what rationale Redford had for the additional security detail, which provided security to Redford and her family in Calgary, Canmore and Banff.[83]

Audit of travel expenses

[edit]

After concerns regarding the permier's office travel and expense claims came to light, Premier Redford herself requested a full audit by the Auditor General. [76] On August 7, 2014, the Auditor General tabled its report, concluding that Redford and her office had "used public resources inappropriately," "used public assets (aircraft) for personal and partisan purposes" and that Redford "was involved in a plan to convert public space in a public building into personal living space." The report concluded that these abuses arose due to an "aura of power around Premier Redford and her office and the perceptions that the influence of the office should not be questioned."[72]

Attendance in the legislature

[edit]

Following her resignation as Premier, Redford did not return to her seat in the Legislature.[84] According to Section 34 of the Legislative Assembly Act.[85] Redford's extended absence caused speculation when no official statement was forthcoming from the interim Premier as to her whereabouts or reasons for not attending.[84] Speculation was heightened further when Redford was spotted in the resort town of Palm Springs, California during her absence.[86] It was later revealed that Redford had, in fact, served official notice to the speaker and that her absence would continue, though "the reason for her excuse is confidential."[85] In declaring her absence to the speaker, Redford ensured she would not be docked pay for non-attendance in the Legislature,[87] whose rules state that a token deduction of $100 a day would be levied for each day missed, after the first 10 consecutive days absent.[88] Redford returned to the legislature on May 5, 2014.[89] In response to a media scrum, she noted that she spent the time off with family in Palm Springs but also worked in her constituency, as her intention was to complete her term as the MLA for Calgary-Elbow.[89] On August 6, 2014, she resigned her seat in the legislature in order to "start the next chapter of my life." In a public statement published in the Calgary Herald and Edmonton Journal she recognized "that mistakes were made along the way" and accepted responsibility for her decisions.[90] She added that she and her family will continue to live in Alberta and that she plans to teach as well as resume her work in international development and public policy.[91]

Standing in the party and resignation

[edit]

Redford returned to the Legislature and the back benches on May 5, 2014. Redford retired from politics on August 6, 2014.[92] Redford's resignation was tendered in the form of a letter published in Edmonton and Calgary newspapers on May 30, 2014. [93]

Independent Ethics Commissioner finds CBC accusations of Conflict of Interest Unfounded

[edit]

In November 2015, the CBC claimed that an investigation into the process with which Alberta chose a legal consortium for a $10-billion lawsuit against the tobacco industry was "manipulated, allowing former premier Alison Redford the opportunity to select a consortium with close personal and political ties".[94] T On April 3, 2017, Paul Fraser, British Columbia's acting ethics commissioner, concluded that Alison Redford did not break Alberta's Conflict of Interest Act.[95][96] Fraser noted, "In making the choice of counsel in the tobacco litigation, she used sensible and principled reasoning, based on cogent information she received in the briefing note from government officials and that she had collected in the course of her active tenure as Minister of Justice and Attorney General."[96]

Policy advisor in Afghanistan

[edit]

In November 2017, Redford took a position as a policy advisor in Kabul to the government of Afghanistan to help reform its Ministry of Mines and Petroleum and help the country develop its natural resources. The position was developed as part of a partnership between the Afghan government and the World Bank. Redford said that her priorities were restoring the power grid and attracting international investment.[97]

Personal life

[edit]

In July 2015, Redford revealed that following her resignation, she no longer belongs to any political party.[98]

Election results

[edit]
2012 Alberta general election: Calgary-Elbow
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Alison Redford 11,198 58.09 +16.01
Wildrose James Cole 5,509 28.58 +21.97
Liberal Beena Ashar 1,067 5.53 −33.67
New Democratic Craig Coolahan 761 3.95 +1.96
Alberta Party Greg Clark 518 2.69 –
Evergreen William Hamilton 225 1.17 −2.44
Total valid votes 19,278 100.00 –
Total rejected ballots 257 – –
Turnout 19,535 58.44 +12.60
Eligible voters 33,430 – –


2008 Alberta general election: Calgary-Elbow
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Alison Redford 6,130 42.08 +3.75
Liberal Craig Cheffins 5,711 39.20 −6.57
Wildrose Alliance Dale Nelson 963 6.61 +2.44
Independent Barry Erskine 948 6.51
Green Jonathon Sheffield 526 3.61 −1.99
New Democratic Garnet Wilcox 290 1.99 −1.31
Total valid votes 14,568 100.00
Total rejected ballots 77
Turnout 14,645 45.84
Eligible voters 31,947
Progressive Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +5.16%

Tribute

[edit]

In 2016, Redford's official portrait was unveiled; it has been added to the collection which is permanently displayed in the Alberta Legislature Building.[99]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Alison Redford

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Alison Merrilla Redford KC (born March 7, 1965) is a Canadian lawyer and former politician who served as the 14th Premier of Alberta from October 7, 2011, to March 23, 2014. She was the first woman to hold the position of Premier in Alberta and led the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta to a majority victory in the 2012 provincial election. Redford's tenure, however, was marked by significant controversies, including the inappropriate use of taxpayer-funded aircraft for personal and partisan purposes, as detailed in an Auditor General report that identified instances of "false passengers" on flights and overall misuse of public resources. These scandals contributed to internal party unrest and her resignation in 2014. Prior to entering provincial politics, Redford practiced internationally, advised on for federal leaders, and held roles in justice and international organizations, culminating in her election as MLA for in 2008 and appointment as Minister of Justice. After her premiership, she transitioned to advisory roles, including work in and corporate board positions in the energy sector.

Early life and education

Family background and upbringing

Alison Redford was born on March 7, 1965, in , , to Merrill Redford and Helen Redford. Her father, born in , , worked as an electrician, which necessitated frequent relocations for employment opportunities. Her mother had emigrated from , . The eldest of three daughters, Redford grew up alongside her younger sisters, and Lynn, in a family with deep roots through her father's side and maternal grandparents, Scotty and Robina Anderson, who were early settlers in the oil region. Due to her father's career, the family lived nomadically in her early childhood, including periods in , , and , before settling in , , when Redford was around 12 years old. This peripatetic upbringing exposed Redford to diverse environments from a young age, fostering adaptability amid international moves driven by economic demands in the and sectors. The family's eventual stability in provided a foundation for her teenage years in a city with strong ties to her paternal heritage.

Academic and early professional training

Redford graduated from Bishop Carroll High School in . She completed her legal education at the College of Law, obtaining her in 1988. After receiving her degree, Redford articled at the Calgary law firm Rooney Prentice, fulfilling the practical training component required for admission to the bar in . She then engaged in private legal practice in , initially with small partnerships before establishing her own firm, accumulating several years of experience in legal advisory and representation matters. In addition, she held the position of Senior Legal Counsel for the , providing counsel on governmental legal issues.

Pre-political career

Following her graduation from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in 1988, Redford worked briefly as a senior policy adviser for , who had previously served as federal Minister of External Affairs. She then returned to , where she articled at the law firm Rooney Prentice. Redford subsequently practiced in , first in a small and later through her own firm, which she established during the 1990s. Her work emphasized commercial matters amid 's energy-driven economy. In recognition of her contributions to the , she was appointed Queen's Counsel in Alberta on December 31, 2009, though some sources date the honor to 2008. Prior to entering provincial politics, Redford engaged in international advisory work focused on constitutional reform, legal development, and electoral processes. In the , she served as a technical advisor on constitutional and legal reform issues across for the and the , including support for post-apartheid transitions in where she advised the African National Congress's legal and constitutional affairs committee on drafting foundational documents. Her assignments spanned multiple countries, encompassing , , , , , , the , and , often in collaboration with the Canadian Privy Council Office to promote democratic governance and frameworks. In 2005, Redford was appointed by Secretary-General as one of four international election commissioners to oversee Afghanistan's inaugural parliamentary elections, contributing to the administration of the vote in all 34 provinces amid post-Taliban reconstruction efforts.

Entry into politics

Federal political involvement

Redford entered federal politics in the 1980s, serving as Senior Policy Advisor to during his tenure as Secretary of State for External Affairs in the Progressive Conservative government. In 2004, she pursued elected office at the federal level by contesting the nomination for the Calgary West riding, where she challenged incumbent Rob Anders but lost the bid. Between 2005 and 2008, Redford worked as an advisor to the Office, focusing on Canada's strategic involvement in following the country's parliamentary elections, including recommendations for long-term policy engagement.

Provincial candidacy and initial legislative roles

Redford entered provincial politics as the Progressive Conservative candidate for the riding in the Alberta held on March 3, 2008. This district, previously held by long-serving until his retirement in 2006, attracted multiple contenders, but Redford secured the nomination and won the seat with 6,130 votes, defeating challengers from other parties. Her victory marked her first elected office, positioning her as a (MLA) amid the Progressive Conservative Party's continued dominance, securing a under Ed . Following her election, Redford was swiftly appointed to cabinet on , 2008, as Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, a role reflecting her legal background despite her status as a political novice. In this position, she oversaw key areas including , , and legal affairs, introducing early initiatives such as reforms to impaired driving legislation. Her rapid elevation to a senior portfolio underscored the party's confidence in her expertise, though it also drew scrutiny from those questioning the preparedness of inexperienced MLAs for high-stakes executive roles. Redford retained this ministry through Stelmach's tenure, using it as a platform to build her profile within the party ahead of future leadership contests.

Rise to leadership

Progressive Conservative leadership race

The 2011 Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta leadership election was triggered by Ed Stelmach's announcement on May 10, 2011, that he would not seek re-election as , following dissatisfaction with his government's fiscal policies and low approval ratings. Six candidates entered the race, including Redford, who announced her candidacy on June 28, 2011, positioning herself as an agent of change critical of Stelmach's record. Other major contenders were Gary Mar, a former cabinet minister favored by party insiders; Doug Horner, Stelmach's finance minister; and Ted Morton, a social conservative senator. The election used a preferential ballot system open to party members, with memberships available for $5 until the second ballot closed. The first ballot on September 17, 2011, saw Mar lead with 41% (24,195 votes), followed by Horner at 19%, and Redford at 18% (11,127 votes), advancing the top three while eliminating others including Morton. Redford's campaign, managed by strategist Stephen Carter, emphasized policy renewal, including promises like $107 million for schools to appeal to teachers' unions, a personal image overhaul, and strong debate performances that boosted her momentum among new and urban voters, particularly in Edmonton. Despite limited support from the party caucus, she mobilized grassroots enthusiasm and second-preference votes. On the second held , 2011, with Horner eliminated, his supporters' preferences flowed disproportionately to Redford, who secured 51% (37,104 votes) to Mar's 49% (35,491 votes), clinching victory in the early hours of October 2. This upset outcome, as a perceived with international legal experience rather than deep party establishment ties, marked Redford as the first woman to lead the PCs and positioned her to become the province's first female .

Formation of government

Following her victory in the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta leadership election on October 2, 2011, where she defeated front-runner Gary Mar in the final preferential ballot, Alison Redford succeeded as party leader. Redford was sworn in as Alberta's 14th Premier on October 7, 2011, during a ceremony at the Alberta Legislature in , marking the first time a woman held the office. On October 12, 2011, Redford announced her initial cabinet, reducing the size from 24 ministers under Stelmach to 21 to streamline operations. The shuffle incorporated new faces alongside experienced MLAs, with notable appointments including former leadership rival Doug Horner as deputy premier and minister of finance, and other rivals such as Rick Orman and Jonathan Denis in key roles to foster unity within the party. This formation emphasized geographical representation, with ministers from various regions including four from Calgary and others from Edmonton and rural areas. Redford's cabinet retained some continuity from the prior administration, such as as energy minister, while introducing changes to signal a shift toward her priorities of , , and economic diversification. The appointments were designed to balance veteran expertise with fresh perspectives, though some observers noted the retention of figures from the Stelmach era amid calls for renewal.

Premiership

2012 provincial election

Alison Redford, who had assumed the premiership on October 7, 2011, following her election as Progressive Conservative leader on , called a snap provincial election on March 26, 2012, for April 23, setting a 28-day campaign period. The election pitted Redford's Progressive Conservatives against the surging , led by , which had capitalized on voter fatigue with the PCs' 41-year dynasty and promised and reduced government intervention. Pre-election polls consistently showed Wildrose leading, with some projections indicating a potential majority for the upstart party. The campaign featured intense debates over , , and resource development, but Wildrose's momentum faltered amid candidate controversies, including remarks dismissing human-caused and opposing school-based gay-straight alliances, which alienated moderate voters and prompted a late shift toward the Progressive Conservatives. Redford positioned her party as a moderate alternative, emphasizing job creation, , and social programs while defending the PC record on economic management amid oil sands expansion. The Progressive Conservatives outspent rivals significantly, raising and expending the most funds during the contest. On April 23, 2012, the Progressive Conservatives secured a , winning 61 of 87 seats with 44% of the popular vote, defying pollster predictions and marking their 12th consecutive . The gained official opposition status with 17 seats and 34% of the vote, while the Liberals and New Democrats won 5 and 4 seats respectively. Redford retained her seat in . reached approximately 54%. The outcome was attributed to against Wildrose extremes and Redford's appeal as Alberta's first female .

Fiscal and economic policies

Redford's Progressive Conservative government prioritized maintaining Alberta's no-sales-tax policy and avoiding new taxes or royalty rate changes in its initial budgets. The February 2012 budget projected a $886 million operating deficit for the 2012-13 fiscal year, financed by drawing down on the , while promising a by fiscal 2013-14 and surpluses thereafter without service cuts. Program spending rose nearly 7 percent that year, with allocations increasing for , healthcare, municipal , and supports for vulnerable populations. Subsequent budgets faced revenue shortfalls from the "bitumen bubble," where discounted heavy prices reduced income by approximately $6 billion in 2013 alone, exacerbating deficits despite high global prices. Redford attributed fiscal pressures to these external factors rather than solely domestic spending, vowing no hikes and signaling potential restraint measures such as reductions in physician compensation to curb operating expenses. Capital spending expanded significantly to address and demands, contributing to overall fiscal strain even as operating budgets aimed for surplus. Per-person program spending growth averaged 0 percent annually during her premiership from 2012 to early 2014, excluding one-time 2013 flood relief expenditures, though critics contended that structural spending commitments outpaced revenue volatility management. Economically, Redford's administration emphasized responsible development of Alberta's energy resources, including advocacy for pipelines and to sustain the province's oil-dependent , which generated the bulk of non-renewable revenues funding public expenditures. Policies avoided aggressive diversification mandates, continuing reliance on resource royalties amid debates over depleting the Heritage Fund for current spending rather than long-term savings. Alberta's later critiqued the 2013 and 2014 budgets—delivered under Redford—for inadequate accounting practices that obscured deficit projections and failed basic standards.

Education, health, and labor policies

During her premiership, Redford pledged to reverse $100 million in prior cuts to K-12 funding, a commitment welcomed by teachers amid concerns over classroom resources. She also promised to eliminate Grade 3 and Grade 6 provincial achievement tests, replacing them with alternative assessments described as "regular but sensitive measurements of academic progress." Additionally, Redford campaigned on introducing universal full-day , estimated at $200 million annually, but implementation was delayed due to fiscal constraints and not achieved province-wide before her resignation. In post-secondary education, her government froze tuition fees for the 2013-2014 academic year to provide affordability relief. However, the 2013 provincial budget reduced for universities and colleges by 7.2 percent, totaling approximately $147 million in cuts, prompting warnings from institutions like the about long-term competitiveness impacts and leading to around 900 academic staff job losses. In health care, Redford's government emphasized primary care access through family care clinics, promising 140 such facilities across Alberta by 2015 as a key 2012 election platform to integrate multidisciplinary teams for comprehensive patient services. By June 2013, 24 communities were targeted for new clinics, building on three initial pilots, though the full target proved unattainable amid operational and budgetary challenges. To improve system navigation, the Patient Advocate Act was proclaimed on November 18, 2013, establishing an independent advocate to assist Albertans in accessing services and resolving complaints. Redford also committed to health care stability in her final year, amid ongoing negotiations with physicians to align compensation with fiscal restraint measures. On labor issues, Redford's administration raised the provincial from $9.40 to $9.75 per hour effective October 2012, shifting Alberta from the lowest to the second-lowest in , with liquor servers' rate adjusting accordingly. Facing deficits, however, her government enacted Bill 46, the Salary Restraint Act, on December 11, 2013, imposing a four-year deal on 22,000 Alberta Union of Provincial Employees members: zero percent increases for two years followed by one percent annually, bypassing . Complementing this, Bill 45 increased fines for illegal strikes and lockouts to deter disruptions, drawing union criticism and legal challenges, including a suspending parts of the restraint for infringing . Redford defended these measures as necessary to align compensation with restraints on teachers and doctors, citing fiscal sustainability.

Energy sector initiatives

During her premiership, Redford prioritized regulatory streamlining to facilitate while emphasizing compliance and transparency. In December 2012, her government introduced Bill 2, the Responsible Energy Development Act (REDA), which established the Energy Regulator (AER) as a single, arm's-length entity overseeing approvals, compliance, and enforcement for upstream oil, gas, and coal projects. The AER, operational from June 13, 2013, replaced overlapping boards to reduce duplication, aiming to cut project approval times by up to 25% while maintaining rigorous environmental standards. Critics, including legal scholars, argued the act concentrated too much power in an industry-influenced regulator, potentially undermining public input on major projects like expansions. Redford advocated aggressively for improved market access for Alberta's , which held approximately 170 billion barrels of and drove 90% of Canada's oil production. In early 2012, she launched efforts for a pan-Canadian energy strategy, including federal-provincial cooperation on pipelines such as Keystone XL to transport to U.S. refineries and reduce price discounts. She conducted promotional tours, including visits to U.S. states in March 2012, to highlight the sector's economic contributions and counter environmental criticisms, asserting that oil sands emissions represented only 0.1% of global gases. On environmental stewardship, Redford's administration committed to energy efficiency improvements and reductions, aligning with 's pre-existing 2008 Climate Change Strategy. Her government reaffirmed plans to phase out coal-fired electricity by 2030, transitioning to and renewables, though implementation relied on technological advancements like carbon capture. Redford positioned as a leader in "responsible" resource development, defending the against figures like by challenging perceived myths on emissions and , while critics contended her policies prioritized extraction over aggressive decarbonization.

Response to scandals and internal party issues

In early 2014, amid revelations of extensive use of government for non-official purposes—including trips involving family members and friends—Redford defended the expenditures as essential for time-efficient travel and personal security given her role's demands, while distinguishing them from personal misuse. On March 4, 2014, she announced reimbursement of $3,156 to cover commercial-equivalent costs for flights taken by her daughter's friends on provincial jets, framing the decision as addressing optics rather than acknowledging impropriety. She further justified some family-related travel as unavoidable costs of motherhood while serving as , rejecting broader claims of entitlement. Redford's office also released documents in June 2014—post-dating her premiership but responding to ongoing scrutiny—detailing a $330,000 expenditure over 20 months for a dedicated trip planner, which she portrayed as a standard administrative support function rather than extravagance. In preliminary responses to emerging "false passenger" bookings on her flights, identified by preliminary reviews in July 2014, her team maintained that such practices facilitated scheduling flexibility without intent to deceive, though no formal apology was issued during her tenure. To address internal Progressive Conservative Party divisions exacerbated by her leadership style and policy shifts, Redford initiated efforts to bolster engagement. In May 2013, she proposed and defended a policy framework allowing party members direct input into government legislation, positioning it as a measure to reduce perceptions of top-down control. This followed criticisms from party ranks over her progressive stances diverging from traditional conservative priorities, such as reforms and sector regulations. By March 2014, amid MLA rebellions and threats to withdraw , Redford attended a contentious Progressive Conservative board meeting on March 15, where she fielded unfiltered criticisms on expenses, attendance, and governance—acknowledging the session's intensity but framing it as constructive dialogue to rebuild unity. Party insiders later attributed some internal attacks to orchestrated smears, which Redford's responses implicitly echoed by emphasizing external opposition over intra-party betrayal, though these efforts failed to quell the factionalism driving her eventual leadership exit.

Controversies and resignation

Travel expenses and "Skypalace" allegations

During her premiership, Alison Redford faced scrutiny over her use of government aircraft, which Alberta's Merwan Saher later determined involved inappropriate applications of public assets for personal and partisan purposes. Specific instances included flights carrying her daughter and friends on non-official trips, with records showing the daughter traveled approximately 50 times on these planes, often without evident government business. Additionally, an review identified at least a dozen flights where "false passengers" were listed in manifests, a practice that enabled unauthorized individuals to board or obscured actual usage patterns. A prominent example was a November 2013 government plane trip from to , departing at 3:11 p.m. with Redford and select MLAs, which critics alleged prioritized convenience over commercial options despite short distances. Broader travel expenditures drew public ire, including a $45,000 government jet flight to in December 2013 to attend events following Nelson Mandela's death, which Redford defended as necessary for international representation but opponents highlighted as excessive given available commercial alternatives. The "Skypalace" allegations centered on Redford's involvement in plans to renovate a top-floor suite in Edmonton’s New Executive Building into a luxury living quarters for the premier, complete with high-end features like a private gym and lounge, at an initial taxpayer cost exceeding $173,000 for preliminary work by late 2013. Documents obtained by CBC News in March 2014 revealed the project, dubbed "Skypalace" by media, had progressed under Redford's oversight despite lacking formal legislative approval, with the Auditor General confirming her office's direct role in its advancement. The initiative was halted in January 2014 by incoming Infrastructure Minister Ric McIver, though the Auditor General noted in August 2014 that related planning persisted into Redford's final months in office. Saher attributed such spending patterns to an "aura of power" surrounding the premier's office, which deterred internal challenges.

Auditor General findings on public fund misuse

In August 2014, Alberta's Auditor General, Merwan Saher, released a special duty report examining expenses incurred by the Office of the Premier under Alison Redford from September 2011 to March 2014, as well as the province's Air Transportation Services program. The investigation, initiated at Redford's request on March 4, 2014, under Section 27(2) of the Auditor General Act, identified multiple instances where public resources were used inappropriately for personal and partisan purposes, attributing the lapses to an "aura of power" surrounding the premier's office that discouraged accountability and bypassed standard approval processes. The report highlighted the misuse of government aircraft as a primary concern, documenting three flights dedicated exclusively to partisan Progressive Conservative Party events without any government business: a trip to Grande Prairie on October 25, 2012; Red Deer on June 15, 2013; and Lethbridge on August 26, 2013. Redford's daughter accompanied her on approximately 50 such flights during the period, including two without the premier and four involving a friend, often lacking sufficient justification for the use of taxpayer-funded planes over commercial alternatives. Notable examples included cancelling a $1,252 commercial flight in December 2012 in favor of a $10,684 government plane to Scottsdale, Arizona, and opting for a $45,000 first-class return flight from South Africa in December 2013 after Nelson Mandela's funeral, despite available commercial options and a free federal aircraft offer that would have allowed timely return for cabinet duties. Beyond aviation, the criticized accommodations and expenditures totaling $659,690 from 2012 to 2014, with $147,844 allocated to hotels often exceeding limits—such as rates up to $825 per night abroad—due to inconsistent documentation and a preference for luxury options without adequate rationale. The report also noted the premier's intervention to construct a private suite in the Federal Building in , dubbed the "Skypalace," which incurred additional design and construction costs beyond standard office fit-outs, though exact figures for this project were not quantified in the findings. Systemic issues included the use of "false placeholder passengers" to block-book aircraft, limiting access for others, and a pervasive lack of receipts or approvals, which the report described as a consistent failure to adhere to treasury board policies. The concluded that these practices reflected a broader culture where the premier's office wielded , leading to unmonitored spending and recommending enhanced documentation requirements, clearer guidelines for aircraft use (including for family and guests), and independent oversight to prevent recurrence. No criminal charges resulted from the findings, as confirmed by the RCMP in 2015 following their review.

Legislative attendance and leadership decline

Redford's attendance in the Alberta Legislative Assembly drew criticism during her premiership, particularly in early 2012 when opposition members highlighted her frequent absences from . As of March 16, 2012, she had missed five of the previous seven sitting days, including three consecutive absences the prior week due to travel to the for meetings with decision-makers and a funding announcement elsewhere in the province. Opposition Liberal Leader calculated that Redford had been absent for roughly half of the spring session sittings since February 7, 2012, prompting accusations of neglect from Wildrose critic Rob Anderson, who questioned her commitment during legislative debates. These early lapses fueled perceptions of detachment, exacerbating internal Progressive Conservative Party tensions amid broader fiscal and scandal-related pressures. Redford defended her schedule as necessary for executive duties, but the pattern contributed to eroding caucus confidence and public approval, with polls later reflecting views of arrogance in her governance style. Post-resignation as premier on March 23, 2014, Redford's prolonged absence as MLA for Calgary-Elbow amplified leadership decline narratives. She did not return to the legislature for the initial weeks of the spring session, missing nine sitting days by April 23, 2014, and ten by April 25, despite notifying Speaker Gene Zwozdesky that her absences were warranted under assembly rules, allowing continued full salary collection of approximately $90,000 annually plus expenses. Her office cited unspecified reasons, but photographs of Redford vacationing in Palm Springs, California, on April 26, 2014, intensified backlash from opposition figures like NDP Leader David Swann and within her own party, who viewed it as emblematic of entitlement amid ongoing expense scandals. This non-attendance, spanning over a month until her return on May 5, 2014, underscored a broader erosion of authority, with interim Premier avoiding direct comment but facing calls to review absentee MLA policies. The episodes, layered atop prior controversies, diminished her standing, prompting party pressure and contributing to her eventual full exit from elected office later in 2014.

Resignation from premiership

On March 19, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. Mountain Time, Premier Alison Redford announced in the rotunda of the Legislature that she was resigning as leader of the Progressive Conservative Association of and thus as premier, effective the evening of March 23, 2014. In her statement, Redford expressed "profound optimism for 's future" and emphasized her unwillingness to permit internal divisions to obstruct provincial progress, declaring, "Quite simply, I am not prepared to allow party and caucus in-fighting to get in the way of building a better future for our province and for all Albertans." The resignation followed escalating caucus discontent, including threats from up to 10 members of the to defect from the party, amid public and internal scrutiny over her administration's spending practices, such as unauthorized flights and luxury accommodations. This pressure intensified after Progressive Conservative MLA Donna Kennedy-Glans resigned from the earlier that month to sit as an independent, attributing her departure to a "sense of entitlement" within the party and a shift away from fiscal restraint. Redford's leadership had previously withstood a party review at the November 2013 , where she received approval from 77% of the 1,197 voting delegates (920 in favor), but subsequent revelations eroded support. Party president Jim McCormick praised the decision as prioritizing Albertans, , and the Progressive Conservatives, while Mayor described it as the political system having "chewed up and spit out" a capable individual. Under the party's constitution, a new leader was required to be selected within six months, with Deputy Premier assuming the role of interim premier immediately following Redford's departure to maintain continuity ahead of the scheduled 2016 provincial election. The resignation marked the end of Redford's tenure less than two years after her 2012 election victory, amid broader questions about accountability in 's long-dominant Progressive Conservative government.

Post-premiership legislative tenure

Ongoing financial scrutiny and ethics reviews

Following the release of Alberta Auditor General Merwan Saher's August 7, 2014, report, which detailed inappropriate use of public funds by Redford's office—including over $300,000 in unauthorized air travel expenditures—interim Premier directed the province's Justice Minister to request an RCMP investigation into potential criminal misuse of resources. The probe focused on allegations of falsified manifests and personal use of aircraft, such as flights accommodating family members and non-essential trips totaling approximately 338 flights during her premiership. On February 20, 2015, the RCMP concluded its review, determining insufficient evidence for criminal charges and closing the case without further action. Parallel to the financial probe, ethics reviews into Redford's role in selecting a legal for Alberta's $10-billion tobacco lawsuit—allegedly favoring firms with personal ties—extended into her post-premiership period. Initially cleared by Alberta Ethics Commissioner Neil Wilkinson on December 4, 2013, the investigation faced renewed scrutiny after leaked government documents in November 2015 revealed omitted evidence, prompting an independent review by former Ontario Chief Justice . Iacobucci's April 4, 2016, report criticized Wilkinson's process for lacking key details, such as communications between Redford's office and the selected firm, though it stopped short of recommending sanctions. In response, British Columbia Acting Ethics Commissioner Paul Fraser, in an August 4, 2016, assessment, urged Alberta to reopen the case due to procedural flaws. A re-investigation under Alberta's Conflicts of Interest Act, initiated thereafter, culminated in Fraser's March 29, 2017, exonerating Redford once more, finding no breach despite the firm's prior representation of her in personal matters, as the connections predated her ministerial role and did not influence the 2012 award. Critics, including opposition figures, argued the repeated clearances reflected inadequate initial probes rather than absolution, highlighting systemic gaps in Alberta's ethics enforcement. These reviews, spanning 2015–2017, underscored persistent questions about transparency in government contracting under Redford's leadership, though no formal penalties ensued.

Party standing and final resignation

Following her resignation as premier on March 19, 2014, Redford retained her seat as the Progressive Conservative (PC) Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for , amid ongoing caucus unrest and diminished party support. Her leadership had eroded internal party cohesion, with MLAs expressing frustration over her management style and expenses, contributing to a caucus revolt that precipitated her exit from the premiership. PC party approval ratings had declined sharply by late 2013, reflecting broader voter disillusionment tied to her tenure. Tensions persisted into mid-2014, as interim premier , Redford's successor, directed the justice minister on August 6 to request an RCMP probe into her air travel expenditures, intensifying scrutiny on her post-premiership role. That same day, Redford announced her resignation as MLA, severing her direct involvement in provincial legislative duties and effectively ending her active representation under the PC banner. This move came amid calls for her full departure from politics, though she maintained formal party membership initially. By July 20, 2015, Redford publicly declared she was no longer affiliated with the Progressive Conservative Party, marking her complete disengagement from the organization she had once led to a majority victory in 2012. This final step followed the PC party's loss of government to the in the May 5, 2015, election, after which Redford cited a desire to move forward independently. Her departure underscored the party's internal fractures, as factions critical of her centrist policies and administrative decisions had long advocated for ideological realignment toward .

Post-political career

International policy advisory work

Following her resignation as Premier of Alberta in March 2014, Alison Redford transitioned into international policy advisory roles centered on energy sector governance and regulatory reform in emerging economies. In November 2017, she was engaged as a senior policy advisor to Afghanistan's Ministry of Mines and , a position established through a partnership with the World Bank to support the development of the country's nascent oil and gas industry. Her work involved recommending regulatory frameworks to enhance transparency, mitigate corruption risks, and attract foreign investment, with funding provided by the World Bank rather than the Afghan government. Redford divided her time between and for this advisory assignment, drawing on her prior experience in resource policy to address challenges in resource-rich but unstable regions. Redford's advisory efforts extended beyond Afghanistan to broader consultations with national governments and ministries in other developing markets, focusing on reforms to bolster investor confidence in extractive industries. Through affiliations such as Strategia Worldwide, where she serves as a strategic advisor on global and issues, she has contributed to strategies emphasizing and governance in the sector. Her independent firm, the Redford Group, similarly supports international clients in advancing regulatory policies for transitions and in , leveraging her legal and governmental background. These roles underscore a pattern of targeted interventions in high-risk jurisdictions, prioritizing empirical regulatory adjustments over ideological approaches to economic diversification.

Corporate and governmental appointments

In September 2021, Redford was appointed as an to the board of Gran Tierra Energy Inc., an international oil and gas exploration and production company focused on and . In this role, she leverages her experience in energy regulation and governance to advise on matters including regulatory reform and investor confidence in emerging markets. The appointment followed her post-premiership advisory work in extractives sectors, aligning with Gran Tierra's operations in resource-rich but politically complex regions. On June 7, 2024, Premier appointed Redford to the of Invest Alberta Corporation, a provincial Crown corporation tasked with attracting foreign and promoting economic diversification beyond oil and gas. This governmental role marks her return to public service structures a decade after resigning amid expenses scandals, with Smith citing Redford's international expertise in economic strategy as a key qualification despite prior political criticisms. The board position, which carries no specified in public announcements, focuses on enhancing 's global competitiveness in sectors like and renewables. Redford holds the Institute of Corporate Directors' ICD.D designation, underscoring her governance credentials for such appointments.

Personal life and legacy

Family and personal challenges

Redford was first married to attorney Robert Hawkes, son of former MP Jim Hawkes, before their divorce in the early 2000s; she later married federal lawyer Glen Jermyn, with whom she has a daughter, Sarah, born around 2002. A significant personal challenge occurred in September 2011, when Redford's mother, Helen Redford, died at age 71 from complications of a long-term illness on September 27, just days before the Progressive Conservative Party leadership vote that Redford ultimately won; she briefly paused her campaign but resumed participation in debates and voting. As from 2011 to 2014, Redford grappled with the demands of office alongside raising her young daughter, resulting in her daughter accompanying her on approximately 50 government flights, including instances with the family nanny, which fueled public and media scrutiny over the use of taxpayer funds for family travel. Redford defended these arrangements as necessary accommodations for a working mother in a high-pressure role lacking flexible options, though critics, including opposition figures, portrayed them as emblematic of entitlement amid broader spending controversies. Media coverage during her tenure often highlighted Redford's status as a divorced and remarried mother entering politics later in life with a young child, framing her family dynamics as atypical for political leaders and subjecting her personal choices to intensified examination compared to male predecessors.

Electoral record and public assessments

Redford was first elected to the Alberta Legislative Assembly in the March 3, 2008, provincial election, representing the riding as a Progressive Conservative candidate, defeating incumbent Liberal MLA Craig Cheffins. In the April 23, 2012, , held shortly after she assumed the premiership, Redford was re-elected in by a narrow margin of 992 votes (8.5 percentage points) over her closest challenger, Liberal candidate John Rogan, amid a competitive race in the traditionally swing riding. Under her leadership, the Progressive Conservative Party secured a with 61 seats in the 87-seat legislature, capturing approximately 44% of the popular vote, while the opposition won 17 seats with 34%. This marked the PCs' 12th consecutive majority, defying pre-election polls that had favored Wildrose. Public assessments of Redford's leadership initially reflected strong support following the 2012 victory, with her personal approval rating at 55% in August . However, it declined amid controversies over , including unauthorized use of provincial aircraft for personal and family travel, leading to a drop to 47% by December . By April 2013, her approval had fallen further to 29%, placing her among the lower-rated provincial leaders in at the time. A mandatory party leadership review at the November 2013 Progressive Conservative convention yielded a 77% approval vote from delegates, though analysts noted its similarity to past failing premiers' internal endorsements as a potential warning sign. By March 2014, amid ongoing ethics probes into her travel expenses and perceptions of entitlement, her public approval rating plummeted to 18%—the lowest for a sitting Alberta premier since the —contributing to internal party pressure and her subsequent . Critics, including poll respondents, attributed the decline to displays of arrogance and misuse of public funds, as evidenced by repayments exceeding $45,000 for a 2013 trip to Nelson Mandela's memorial.

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