Redford has been facing increasing unrest within her caucus, fuelled by concerns over her leadership style and a $45,000 trip to South Africa.
Last week, Calgary backbencher Len Webber also quit the Tory caucus, calling Redford a bully and “not a nice lady.”
Kennedy-Glans, who is a lawyer, co-authored a book on how companies can act with integrity. She said in the release Monday that she was looking forward to putting her beliefs into practice as a government member.
She said that she supported issues discussed during the last election such as a more open and transparent government and one “free of entitlement.”
“Since being elected, however, and particularly since joining cabinet, I am increasingly convinced that elements of this 43-year old government are simply unable to make the changes needed to achieve that dream of a better Alberta,” she said.
She did not specifically criticize Redford.
Kennedy-Glans was one of the ministers grilled by the Opposition in the house last week for taking a government plane ride from Grande Prairie after a Tory fundraiser. The Wildrose has used the trip as an example of misuse of government aircraft.
The premier was meeting with her caucus Monday morning. It was expected the discussion would focus on a “work plan” hammered out during a party board meeting and given to Redford in Calgary on the weekend. There were few details on what that plan would entail.
Party president Jim McCormick said the board meeting was a “wide-ranging, no-holds barred discussion” and that the premier’s expensive trip to South Africa for Nelson Mandela’s funeral came up.
On Friday, the president of a Progressive Conservative riding association in northeast Edmonton said Redford must resign or the party will lose the next election.