$2.6-BILLION PROMISE,
United Conservative Party leadership candidate Brian Jean announced his economic policy Tuesday, promising $2.6 billion in immediate cuts if elected, but offering few specifics on which government services he would slash or provincial employees he would fire to account for those savings.
The former Wildrose leader promised to freeze salaries, not fill positions left by retiring workers, and fire managers. He specifically mentioned Alberta Health Services as one area where he wants to reduce management.
“The plan I’m releasing today includes $2.6 billion in immediate operational spending reductions, controlling all costs across the public sector so we can freeze and reduce spending,” Jean told a Calgary news conference.
“This includes thinning out the ranks of managers managing managers managing more managers across government through attrition.”
Jean’s podium was emblazoned with the words, “A New Alberta Advantage,” a reference to Ralph Klein’s 1993 throne speech “Promoting the Alberta Advantage” which promised low taxes and less regulation in an attempt to attract business to the province.
Jean is promising to cut a third of all government regulations, including Bill 6, controversial farm safety legislation which requires agricultural operations to provide injury coverage for their workers. He also says he’ll eliminate a cap on oilsands emissions if elected.
Asked about Richard Starke, the Tory MLA who announced Monday he would not join the United Conservative Party over concerns about the new party’s stance on gay straight alliances and the Edmonton Pride parade, Jean said he hopes Starke will reconsider and, if he does, there’ll be a place for him in the party if Jean is leader.
When asked specifically whether he’d march in the Edmonton Pride parade, Jean said: “I’m open to marching in any parade.”