Former deputy premier appointed judge; alderman to run for his seat

Former deputy premier Ron Stevens has been appointed an Alberta Court of Queen's Bench judge, and a Calgary alderman has already announced plans to try to replace him.

Stevens, 59,will replace Judge L.D. Watkins, who decided to become a supernumerary judge in February. Stevens announced his resignation as an Alberta cabinet minister and asmember of the legislative assemblyfor Calgary-Glenmore on Friday.

The federal government announced his appointment to the Court of Queen's Bench on Wednesday.

Stevens received his law degree from the University of Alberta in 1975 and was admitted to the Alberta bar in 1976. From 1976 until his election as MLA in 1997, he practised law with Code Hunter Wittman in Calgary.

During his time in politics, Stevens served as minister of justice, attorney general and minister of gaming.

The race has already begun to fill his seat.

Diane Colley-Urquhart, an alderman for Calgary's Ward 13, announced Wednesdaythat she will seek the Progressive Conservative nomination for Calgary-Glenmore. Colley-Urquhart has represented the ward for the past nine years and is the president of the constituency association.

"The opportunity has presented itself in Calgary-Glenmore, which is where I live. It's whoI know and it's probably at a time in my life and in my career when I can consider this," she said.

Colley-Urquhart said she will continue her council duties while seeking the nomination, but should she win, she will take a leave of absence and return her city hall salary pending the outcome of a byelection, which must be held within six months.