Ric McIver named interim leader of Alberta's PC party

Ric McIver one of onlythree PC cabinet ministers left standing afterAlberta's election has been appointed as the interim leader for the Progressive Conservatives.

• Jim Prentice resigns after orange wave sweeps Alberta
• PC Alberta leader's dinner to proceed despite having no leader

Speaking to reporters at the McDougall Centre, theMLA for Calgary-Hays said the party is focused on getting to work.

"Our attitude is that we're going to do what's best for Albertans. We will support Premier Notley when she does the right thing, we will oppose Premier Notley when she does the wrong thing because that's what Albertans expect us to do," he said.

The PCs lost 60 seats after the Alberta election, ending the party's nearly 44-year reign in power in the province and effectivelybumping them to third-party status.

Prentice resigned his seatand theleadershipon election night after themajor loss to the Alberta NDP.

McIver said he's disappointed the PCs are not still in government but understands that voters were telling the party they have some lessons to learn.

'The voters have made a decision'

"I actually believe in democracy.I actually believe that what the voters decide should be final.It is," he said. "The voters have made a decision and it's for us now to serve Albertans and do the best we can to make Alberta better."

McIver, a formercouncillorfor the City of Calgary,held a couple ofkey cabinet positions including labour and infrastructure after being elected to the legislature in 2010.

He ran to be the PC party leader last spring, but lost to Jim Prentice in the race. He will take Prentice's place and speak at thePC Alberta leader's dinner.

"I'm hearing that people are looking forward to what we're going to do because a large number of Albertanshave come to depend upon and trust thepartyand our party's representatives.Alot of Albertans still trust and want to depend upon our party," he said.

"I look forward to the opportunity with my colleagues, who are as committed to public service, as I am to addressing them and making sure they know we are stillkey on public service."

McIversays it is not yet determined if he will seek the leadership on a permanent basis.