Former Alberta Wildrose leader Brian Jean says Albertans are better served trying to change the constitution as opposed to trying to seek independence..In a tweet Wednesday, Jean wrote: “As angry as Albertans are, they won’t vote for separation until we’ve tried to fix Canada and failed.”.“If you are an Alberta separatist, you likely recognize that truth and thus want the effort to save Canada to happen as soon as possible. If you are not a separatist, you probably believe that Canada can be better and that we need to fix things. Either way, let’s get to work fixing things.”.The tweet then links to Jean’s website..When contacted by the Western Standard, Jean said he was going to “let the tweet speak for itself.”.As speculation begins as to who will run to lead the new Wexit Canada Party or the Wildrose Independence Party, Jeans name is frequently mentioned on social media sites..Asked if he had future plans in politics, Jean replied: “Like all Albertans, I am busy trying to make things better. I love Alberta.”.“Canada is broken; Albertans want to fix it. We are tired of being treated like a colony in our own country. We are frustrated by Canada enjoying the more than $20 billion we contribute to equalization annually while they simultaneously seek to prevent our future prosperity,” Jean wrote in a column in March in the EdmontonJournal..“In 2017, I proposed an equalization referendum as a tool to show Canada how angry we were and to force open constitutional discussions. The UCP intends to hold that referendum next year. However, the Fraser Institute recently put out a report that showed Alberta doesn’t have to wait for a referendum; it can use a legislative motion to force constitutional discussions. The time has come to force the federal government and the other provinces to the constitutional table.”. Defying crackdown, hundreds march against lockdowns in Calgary .Jean wrote that any constitutional change must include that every province be treated fairly, either the House of Commons or the Senate must have true representation by population, include an amendment that prohibits the federal government from passing laws that only impact one province without the majority consent of the MPs and senators from that province and state that neither Ottawa nor another province can prevent any province’s access to trade with the rest of the world. .“In Premier (Jason) Kenney, Alberta has the best possible Canadian federalist to represent us at the constitutional discussion table and make a sincere effort to fix Canada. Jason Kenney is a fervent nationalist, and a tremendous communicator; there is no one better to make the case for reasonable changes that lead to a better Canada,” Jean wrote..“I must admit that I am not confident. I suspect the rest of Canada will say no. Too many elements of the Canadian political and intellectual elite are fundamentally anti-Alberta. They resent what Alberta stands for..“I hope I am wrong, but I think there will be no enthusiasm on the part of Canada to say yes to reasonable proposals from Alberta. Then, and only then, will Albertans be prepared to vote for separation..“Remaining as an unappreciated colony within Canada is something that we will not endure.”.Jean’s tweet came the day after it was announced that former federal Conservative cabinet minister, Jay Hill was taking the reigns of the Wexit Canada party, and less than a week before the anticipated merger vote of Wexit Alberta and the Freedom Conservative Party..“I was surprised to see it, but Jay is a very credible voice,” Jean said..Jean was first elected as a Tory MP in a Fort MacMurray-area riding in 2004. He was re-elected in 2008 and 2011. He resigned in 2014, and the next year become the leader of Alberta’s Wildrose Party..After the party merged with the UCP, Jean ran to become leader but lost to Kenney..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694
