The political landscape of Alberta changed when the Wildrose and Conservative parties amalgamated into the United Conservative Party and it's likely to change again as the UCP holds it's Founding Convention and first Annual General Meeting this weekend in Red Deer.  

Airdrie MLA Angela Pitt, who also serves as the UCP Shadow Justice Minister, is pumped for the convention.  She thinks the meeting this weekend will provide unity for the young party.  "I believe this AGM is about unity.  It's about showing a united Conservative voice in this province.  It's about showing this province that this is a big tent party that has a diverse range of views and that there is a place for just about everybody and showing a united force to defeat the NDP in the next election."

When Pitt mentions "a place for just about everybody," that includes women and she's excited by the number of women who have put their name forward for positions on the party executive.  She believes it may change the perception that politics is an "old boy's club."

"It's good to see so many women put their names forward into a position that they have to be elected for.  Women make up 51 percent of the population and you always hope that's also reflected in the elected official positions in your party and we hope to see similar results in the general election."

The UCP will be discussing policy at the convention, lots of policies.  Pitt says 1,300 are set to hit the floor and while she doesn't expect they'll get to all of them, she is hopeful that a health policy that may impact Airdrie will be talked about.

"I would like to see some health policies that reflect some of the innovative ideas that Airdrie is trying to move forward with.  Airdrie's needed room to explore in terms of government policies and it would be nice to see that reflected in some of the United Conservative policies that come through this weekend.  As a representative for Airdrie and knowing some of the things and hearing some of the things from the Airdrie Health Co-op and different health professionals in our community, we have such an opportunity to be that testing ground and do something really cool."

The convention, that begins with registration at 4:00 pm today then continues through Sunday, is expected to be the largest political event in Alberta's history.  More than 2,000 people are expected to attend the sessions and overflow rooms have been set up in the Sheraton Red Deer Hotel, the home for the convention.

Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper is expected at the event, along with current federal leader Andrew Scheer, former interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose. along with Brad Wall, the former Premier of Saskatchewan.  

Brian Jean who lost to Jason Kenney in the race to become UCP leader will also be honoured by party members this weekend.  

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