Meeting participants endorse merger idea

The Olds Legion Hall was packed to capacity Feb. 27 as Wildrose Leader Brian Jean came to speak.

Almost 100 per cent of the approximately 300 people in the room voted in favour of uniting with the Progressive Conservatives (PCs) to form one conservative party to defeat the New Democratic Party (NDP) government in the next election.

The vast majority of the people in the room were members of the Wildrose Party but many others were PC members or indicated they didn't belong to any party.

During a 50-minute campaign-style speech, followed by an approximately 30-minute question period, Jean urged all to ensure they're party members so they can vote when the issue comes up. At the end of the meeting, Wildrose Party memberships were sold at the back of the room.

Jean stressed any merger would have to be created "under a Wildrose framework," based on Wildrose principles and values - especially the idea that the membership would drive the decision. He said at least 75 per cent of the membership would have to approve a merger.

He was asked what the timeline for a merger would be.

Jean noted the PCs will choose their next leader March 18 in Calgary. He anticipates they'll hold their referendum on whether to merge with Wildrose in April or May. Jean said the Wildrose Party will hold its annual general meeting in July so he expects they would vote on the merger idea around that time.

Assuming both parties vote in favour of combining to become one conservative party, Jean expects a leadership race to last for 45 to 50 days.

Jean said it's imperative that the new party be created and have its leader in place before Oct. 15. That's because he anticipates the NDP will call an election well before 2019, so it can take advantage of turmoil in conservative ranks and a possible vote split if two conservative parties remain in place.

Jean was asked about the popularity of Wildrose in Edmonton and Calgary because it's strong in the rural areas.

"In Edmonton we're second. We've doubled our numbers since the last election. We're at 28 per cent," Jean said. "We'd probably pick up three or four seats in Edmonton and probably eight in Calgary."

Jean was asked how the party would handle any MLAs who cross the floor to sit with another party.

In late 2014, when former Wildrose Party Leader Danielle Smith crossed the floor to join the PCs, along with several fellow Wildrose MLAs, including former Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Bruce Rowe, it caused outrage among Wildrose supporters.

Jean said the Wildrose Party handled that issue before the last election by requiring candidates to sign a pledge not to cross the floor. If they do, they have to pay $100,000.

He said if a merger occurs and a new conservative party is created, a way has to be found to legally keep the Wildrose Party's "war chest" so the new party has enough money to fight the next election.

Jean said if elected, his government would "rip up" the carbon tax. That sparked loud applause. He said the carbon tax, implemented by the government on Jan. 1, will take "$3 billion out of the economy."

Jean was asked what his government would do about Bill 6, which requires farmers and ranchers to provide Workers' Compensation Board coverage for paid agriculture workers.

That bill was fiercely opposed by farmers and ranchers in the fall of 2015 when it was introduced, debated and then passed into law. It officially came into effect Jan. 1, 2016.

Before that, agricultural entities were not required to provide injury coverage for workers, but they could choose to provide WCB coverage or provide private insurance. Family members remain exempt from the new rules.

"What would you do about Bill 6? It should be a short answer," Jean was asked, as laughter erupted.

"We'll repeal it," Jean said, sparking applause.

He said at one time he lived in the Three Hills area and learned how to milk cows, so he's familiar with the ways of farm life.

Jean said the cost of government in Alberta - and thus the taxes residents pay - have to be cut. He said this province has "the most expensive government in the country, 23 per cent higher than any government in Canada, including B.C."

He said the NDP government is spending so much that within two or three years the province's deficit will be $60 billion. He said that will cost $2 billion in interest payments and will cost every single family $1,800 per year after tax to support those interest payments.

He said health-care costs have to be reduced. Jean said Alberta Health Services is the third largest employer in the country when Alberta only has 10 per cent of the country's population. He said it has one manager for every three workers.

Jean also said the education system has to be revamped so that Alberta parents "have more choice."

"We've moved away from that and we have to get back to that," he said.

Jean also received applause from the crowd when he said the federal equalization payments system has to be revamped and if elected, he'd fight for that. Under the current system other provinces have "ripped off Alberta for decades," he said.

During an interview with the Albertan, Jean was asked if he fears a new merged party, created under a Wildrose framework, would alienate some PC members who are closer to the centre of the political spectrum. Some have said if the two parties merge, they might move to the Liberals, NDP or another party.

"Well, I don't look at the Liberals or the Alberta Party as centrist. I look at them as far left," Jean said. "But I believe that we're more representative of the centre-right. I truly do believe that."

He was asked if the party would have to change its message to appeal more to centrist voters, especially in Calgary and Edmonton.

"No," he said. "You can't do that. You've got to have a consistent message. We are what we say we are and people will vote for us, based on that."

He said the province has to be governed "prudently" and once that's done, there'll be money to take care of people who need help.