Departing Stelmach laments 'attacks in politics'

Premier Ed Stelmach hinted at another possible reason he's stepping down in several weeks, telling his farewell dinner Wednesday night that politics has changed for the worse.

"We wonder why there's low voter turnout. Well, everybody speaks negatively about those that are elected. Who the hell is going to go vote?" he told a crowd of 1,500 supporters at a PC Party fundraiser in Edmonton.

There's too many personal attacks in politics, Stelmach said, though he will still miss his job, which he called the best in Canada.

Stelmach announced in January that he would not seek another term, then specified in May that he would leave office Oct. 1. He's not running again for a seat in the legislature, either.

In his half-hour farewell speech Wednesday night, he thanked his family and supporters, as well as the cooks who made the perogies in honour of his Ukrainian heritage.

Former deputy prime minister Don Mazankowski was among those who saluted Stelmach's five years as premier. Before that, Stelmach spent 20 years as a county counillor, rural MLA and cabinet minister.

As for the official reason he's resigning, Stelmach said only that he's accomplished his goals.

Six people are running to replace him at the helm of the Progressive Conservatives: Justice Minister Alison Redford, former deputy premier Doug Horner, MLA Doug Griffiths, former finance minister Ted Morton, former energy minister Rick Orman and former cabinet minister Gary Mar.

The first ballot in the vote for a new leader will take place Sept. 17. If no one receives more than half the votes that day, a second ballot with the top three candidates will be held Oct. 1.