The Alberta NDP says Premier Jason Kenney should boot MLA Drew Barnes out of the UCP caucus after he demanded tougher action than the provincial Fair Deal panel wanted.

The NDP is now calling Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Barnes, who was on the Fair Deal panel, the leader of the Alberta “separatist” movement.

And a former provincial Tory cabinet minister, Donna Kennedy-Glans, also on the panel, is slamming Barnes for having his own “personal agenda” by sending out a letter dissenting from the majority report.

“Jason Kenney has been recklessly fanning the flames of separatism to distract Albertans from his failed economic record,” said Sarah Hoffman, the NDP’s Deputy Leader.

“He selected Drew Barnes to help lead this panel. Did he know Barnes was a separatist when he appointed him?  

“As the Premier of Alberta, Jason Kenney must denounce and disavow Barnes’ calls for separation. While Albertans are struggling with massive job losses, business failures and a global pandemic, there cannot be a separatist caucus within the government. Drew Barnes is obviously claiming the leadership of that faction. Jason Kenney must act.”

Kennedy-Glans, a member of Kenney’s transition team when he came to power, said she and other panel members were stunned when Barnes released his own report.

“After we had all reached a consensus on the report, I find it incredibly cynical to release his own letter at almost the same time,” Kennedy-Glans told the Western Standard in an interview.

“We talked through many, many issues and not once did we not listen to Drew. We all made accommodations.

“It sends a terrible message when we can’t even reach a consensus.”

But in an interview with the Western Standard, Barnes said his report should have come as no surprise to Kennedy-Glans or other panel members.

“There were two or three times I said filing a dissenting opinion was an option for me. It shouldn’t have been a shock,” said Barnes, adding he hasn’t heard from Kenney since the report was filed.

“Alberta needs a better deal and we shouldn’t be afraid to make it stronger.

“But try try and get a better deal, there may have to be consequences.

“I want a better deal for Alberta within Canada.”

Barnes has written his own report to Kenney urging a much stronger stance against Ottawa for the province to get a fairer deal in confederation, adding that the issue of Alberta independence needs to be on the table.

“I am grateful to you [Premier Kenney] for giving me the opportunity to listen to the thousands of Albertans that came to share their vision with the Fair Deal Panel,” said Barnes in a press release moments after the Fair Deal Panel report was released Wednesday.

“With an increasingly hostile government in Ottawa, you have had the foresight to understand that Albertans will no longer accept the inequities of being a second-class people under the constitution. My colleagues on the panel have given thoughtful consideration to the proposals before us, but it is necessary for me to express clearly to you and to Albertans what I feel in my heart must be done.”

In his letter, Barnes recommends the following:

• A firm referendum date six months from now expressly forbidding Ottawa from legislating any kind of Equalization program.
• Alberta should collect its own provincial and federal personal and corporate income taxes.
• Alberta should hold a referendum expelling Ottawa from spending inside areas of provincial jurisdiction and transferring the tax points of the Canada Health and Social Transfers to the provinces.
• Albertans should elect a constitutional convention to draft a provincial constitution, to be ratified in a referendum.
• An Alberta Constitution should include the right to initiate referenda and recall elected representatives.
• Alberta should immediately take back control over its own immigration under its provincial jurisdiction.
• Albertans should hold a referendum on a constitutional amendment to not only elect senators, but to equally and justly determine how many seats each province holds.
• Alberta should hold a referendum on a constitutional amendment to clarify and strengthen internal free trade provisions, including the right to move our resources across provincial boundaries.
• Albertans should hold a referendum on a constitutional amendment to strictly firewall off any encroachment by the federal government over the internal development of our natural resources.

Barnes said his proposals should be voted on in two broad questions proposed to Albertans in a referendum: one on actions that Alberta can make unilaterally without federal consent, and one on constitutional amendments requiring the consent of the federal and other provincial governments.

“As we do so, we should be clear with Ottawa and the other provinces that if the people of Alberta vote for a fair deal of constitutional equality within confederation, but these proposals are rejected, that Albertans will be given the opportunity to vote on their independence,” said Barnes.

“While I appreciate that my colleagues on the panel do not believe that Alberta can raise the prospect of independence under any circumstance, I must respectfully disagree. A free people must be willing to at some point of injustice without rectification, to draw a line and make a stand.

“I do not make any of these recommendations, and the last in particular, lightly. I was born a Canadian, and sincerely wish to build a reformed Canada that treats all of its people equally and fairly.

“In fact, this is another opportunity for Albertans to lead the way, for by finding equality and fairness for ourselves, we can create the framework for others to find the same. Ultimately, this will help to build a stronger, freer, prosperous, and more united Canada.”

Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard

dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com

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