Jean adds free votes, recall bill to policy platform
Candidate proposes referendums on equalization and photo radar
If former Wildrose leader Brian Jean becomes leader of the United Conservative Party on Oct. 28, he’s promising to advocate for recall legislation, referendums on photo radar and equalization payments, and banning the use of union dues for partisan activities.
Jean unveiled his most recent leadership planks Wednesday morning in Edmonton, many of which were policies the Wildrose Party pushed in the past.
Equalization in particular has been a pet peeve.
Late last year, he introduced Motion 509 in the legislature, demanding the provincial government study the equalization program and carve out Alberta’s position before the next round of negotiations begins in 2018.
The NDP said Jean should have done something about equalization when he was an MP.
Jean said Wednesday he wants to reopen negotiations with Ottawa about that section of the Constitution and would put it to Albertans in a referendum, along with the use of photo radar in the province.
That’s an issue the province is already looking at, but Jean was adamant it should be voters who decide the fate of photo radar, “not government bureaucrats sitting in Edmonton.”
As for the cost of holding referendums on equalization and photo radar, Jean proposed doing both during a municipal election.
Jean announced his policies with the Alberta legislature behind him. He accused the NDP of failing to listen to people inside that building, ramming through a carbon tax and Bill 6, the controversial farm worker legislation.
He promised to ensure free voting among MLAs and introduce recall legislation to hold MLAs accountable between elections.
He also vowed to protect free speech on university campuses.
Flanking Jean as he announced his new policies were five party colleagues.
Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA Glenn van Dijken, Lacombe-Ponoka MLA Ronald Orr, Grande Prairie-Smoky MLA Todd Loewen, Jean’s Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo colleague Tany Yao and Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA Don MacIntyre all took turns offering Jean their endorsements for UCP leader.
They mostly spoke of their personal respect for Jean, with MacIntyre pointing to the recent unity vote and how his colleague managed to get him to change his mind about healing the rift with Alberta’s fellow conservatives.
In referencing Jean’s “rich work history,” Yao took a veiled swipe at Progressive Conservative Leader Jason Kenney — a career politician who is expected to announce his UCP leadership candidacy this weekend.
“That’s what I like about (Jean) — he’s worked in his life, he’s worked in various roles,” Yao said.
“The important thing about having a man like himself who does have those work experiences is he understands the repercussions of his decisions. He’s hired people and he’s fired people.”
Jean officially launched his leadership bid Monday at a golf course in Rocky View County near Airdrie.
At this stage, Jean and Calgary lawyer Doug Schweitzer are alone in their bid for the UCP leadership.