Jim Prentice promises to bring tenacity and vigour if elected

Former federal cabinet minister Jim Prentice promised to bring transparency and trust back to Alberta's Progressive Conservative party in front of a packed room at his official campaign launch in downtown Edmonton Wednesday morning.

He said he would also focus on updating provincial infrastructure and governance to reflect the changing face of Alberta.

I am running because I believe Alberta has before it, right now, an opportunity to achieve great things, he said. Its going to take discipline and its going to take focus, but we will do this.

Prentice said if he wins the leadership vote, he will bring in rules to remind caucus members that they are the servants of the people. He also pledged to end entitlements and sweetheart deals for political staffers.

"The bond of trust between the people of Alberta and their elected representatives must be repaired," he said. "I will introduce clear rules I will change the way that things are done and I will promise you that those rules will be enforced with discipline

Prentice, who said he plans to spend the coming months travelling the province to speak with Albertans, also promised to bring vigour and tenacity back to provincial politics in Alberta.

We need to make changes to ensure the party continues to thrive in the futureand Iwill make those changes, he promised in closing.

Hewill deliver a similar speech laterin Calgary.

MLAs gather in show of support

About 100 supporters, including about a dozen Tory MLAs, were on hand to support Prentice during the launch.

I haven't publicly said that he's my guy but ... everything I heard today is exactly what I was looking for, said Edmonton MLA Steve Young.

Former Edmonton city councillor Kim Krushell also spoke in favour of Prentices message.

"He doesn't wear the Redford government issues, which we're all seeing on a daily basis and which the media has focused on.

On May 8, a record 1,800 people turned out for a $500-a-plate party fundraiser in Calgarysomething that was attributed in part to burgeoning interest in a Prentice candidacy.

For six years between 2004 and 2010, Prentice. who is 57,was the Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre-North, serving under Prime Minister Stephen Harper in three cabinet portfolios.

He left politics three years ago to take an executive position withCIBCbut was persuaded to run for the leadership of the Alberta Conservative Party after Alison Redford quit the job in March over spending scandals and accusations of poor leadership.

Only official candidate to date

Prentice,who filed his nomination papers on Friday, is currently the only official candidate in the race.

Former Alberta cabinet minister Ric McIver intends to run but, as of Monday, was in the midst of collecting signatures.

Ken Hughes had originally planned to join in the leadership race, butwithdrewin order to support Prentices campaign.

Other potential candidates,including cabinet ministers DougHorner, Diana McQueen and Jonathan Denis, have announced they will not run.

Nominations will officially close on May 30. The leadership vote will take place in September.