Brian Jean called the current leader of the United Conservative Party and his inner circle “titled and arrogant” on Wednesday night when he officially launched his campaign to take over the party and the post of prime minister.
Jean is one of eight people taking part in the UCP leadership race, which is expected to be decided on October 6.
“He told us to do one thing while they were behaving as if the rules didn’t apply to them. Sitting around and serving Jameson’s Whiskey on the balcony of Sky Palace, “said Jean.
He was referring to a scandal in which Prime Minister Jason Kenny apologized last June for not following his own COVID-19 rules.
Former Finance Minister Travis Tows was also photographed at this table. He launched his campaign for the OKP leader last month.
Jean did not mention Toews or Kenney by name in a speech to supporters at a hotel in West Edmonton.
Instead, he made it clear who he was criticizing, recalling some of the outgoing prime minister’s initial promises to the Alberts, such as the “citizens’ guarantee.”
“Voters have rewarded the United Conservatives with a huge mandate. And then no delivery. The citizens were not consulted, “Jean said.
The former Wildrose leader, who lost to Kenny in a still-contested race in 2017 to become the first person in the UCP, then vowed to move forward in “cooperation rather than conflict”.
“Unnecessary battles have been selected with the daily Alberts that are central to our rural and small urban communities: our doctors, nurses and teachers,” said Jean.
The crowd at the launch of Brian Jean’s campaign for UCP leader in West Edmonton on June 15, 2022 (Clan News Edmonton). The change Jean promised on Wednesday was just a big hit, but the UCP MLA told Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche that more detailed plans would be outlined in the coming weeks.
Jean chose “Autonomy for Alberts” as his slogan, which refers to a popular complaint, mostly in local conservative circles, that the province is not getting a “fair deal” from the federal liberal government.
Jean said the time to start “constitutional talks” with Ottawa was now. He listed concerns such as equalization, political representation and fair trade. Kenny had similar complaints and set up a fair deal group to tour the countryside to investigate the people of Albert.
“We can either help fix Canada, which is great, or the people of Albert will find that the rest of this country does not want to acknowledge our legitimate concerns,” he said in a speech.
“And this will lead more and more Alberta residents to agree to use all the tools and powers we have to make sure we increase and defend Alberta’s autonomy.
Jean told reporters after his speech that he did not support the separation of Alberta because he “loves Canada” but wants to “fix it.”
Leela Ahir, Todd Lowen, Bill Rock, Daniel Smith, Rebecca Schultz and Touse were registered at Elections Alberta on Wednesday to take part in the race. Rajan Sony also launched a campaign.
With files from Chelan Skulski from CTV News from Edmonton
Add Comment