Redford sworn in during emotional ceremony

Alison Redford becomes Alberta's 14th premier

Premier Alison Redford makes remarks after being sworn in as Alberta’s 14th premier on Oct. 7, 2011, in a ceremony at the Alberta Legislature

EDMONTON - With a smile on her face and a tear in her eye, Alison Redford became Alberta’s 14th premier Friday during a formal ceremony in the legislature.

The official swearing-in lasted less than 30 minutes and included some touching moments for the province’s first female premier, and for the 400 exuberant people who packed into the rotunda for the event.

Redford momentarily stumbled reciting the oath of office, but recovered and gave the crowd a little smile. During her subsequent speech, she briefly choked up when mentioning her mother, Helen Redford, who died last week during the final days of the Tory leadership campaign.

“The only shadow on this day for me is that my mom isn’t here to see it,” said Redford, who credits her mother for sparking her interest in democracy and government. “Without her and her influence in my life, I wouldn’t be here today.”

The crowd jammed into the rotunda and its accompanying balconies included most of the Progressive Conservative caucus, opposition leaders, Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel, Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, and federal cabinet minister Rona Ambrose.

There were also a number of children, including two Grade 6 classes from Edmonton.

“They were awfully excited when we got the invite. They are normally well behaved but today it was hard to keep them quelled,” said Ian Gray, principal of Aurora Charter School. He said the school got the invite from their MLA, Doug Elniski, who was one of the few members of caucus to support Redford’s leadership bid.

Redford picked up on the theme of children in her speech, emphasizing her campaign promise to improve the education system, along with health care and the province’s finances. Her status as Alberta’s first female premier was referred to only briefly.

“People have said this leadership campaign marked a sea change for Alberta,” she said. “I don’t agree. I think what happened here was Alberta politics caught up with where Albertans already were.”

Redford’s speech was scheduled to come after remarks by Lt.-Gov. Donald Ethell, but Ethell forgot the order and sent the new premier to the podium ahead of him.

When Redford finished to a standing ovation, Ethell took the microphone and explained his mistake.

“It’s a good thing I report to Her Majesty the Queen, because if I reported to the premier, I think she would have me fired,” he told the crowd, eliciting laughter from Redford.

“I’m sorry I screwed up,” he told her as they hugged.

In his remarks, Ethell praised Redford’s intelligence, her past public service in places such as Africa and Afghanistan, and her grace under pressure last week balancing a leadership race and the death of her mother.

He quoted Winston Churchill: “Without courage, all other virtues lose their meaning.”

Former premier Ed Stelmach started the ceremony by officially handing his resignation letter to Ethell. The lieutenant-governor accepted and signed the document, then asked the outgoing premier if he had a recommendation for a successor.

Stelmach named Redford, who stepped forward, took a Bible in her left hand and recited the 49-word oath of office. She then signed the Roll Book with Ethell, officially becoming the premier at 11:14 a.m.

Redford had been critical of Stelmach during the leadership campaign but on Friday she was only complimentary.

“I want to thank Ed Stelmach for your support of me as a rookie MLA, and for the confidence you showed in me by appointing me as your minister of justice,” she said as Stelmach received an enthusiastic standing ovation. “Mr. Stelmach is a very kind, honourable man and I want to thank him for the kindness he’s extended to me and the honour he brought to the office of premier.”

She also took time to acknowledge her husband, Glen Jermyn, and her daughter, Sarah, telling the nervous nine-year-old that she was “wise beyond her years.” Sarah flashed back a shy smile as she fiddled with her necklace.

One of those in attendance was Natalie McFadden, who has been friends with Redford for the last six years. They met through their children in Calgary.

“Sarah, she’s a real surprise,” McFadden said, when asked how the premier’s daughter might be holding up to new media and public attention. “She’s managing a lot better than a normal girl would. It’s just in their blood. They’re just balanced women.”

Following the ceremony, Redford took several minutes to greet people in the crowd, then was taken to Government House for a private reception.

It was just the third swearing-in of an Alberta premier in the last 26 years, and believed to be the first in the rotunda. Most previous premiers were sworn in at Government House while Stelmach was sworn in outside on the legislature steps.

Source:The Edmonton Journal