Tag: Brian Jean

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Alberta Economic Ft Mac Politics

Royalty Review Comments by Rachel Notley Embarrassing According to Brian Jean

Brian Jean, Rachel Notley

Recent comments made by Rachel Notley over the royalty review has left many dumbfounded, and is an embarrassment according to Wildrose leader Brian Jean. When Notley gave an interview to the Edmonton Sun whet the Premier said was seen as offensive by many. Notley commented that “I think that folks need to settle down a bit. That being said, the energy industry is going through great changes right now so as much as we want to restore stability and predictability, we’re trying to do that in a context where the price of oil is incredibly volatile.” The premier also pointed out that in the past a review was undertaken every 18 months by the previous premier Peter Lougheed. Brian Jean quickly responded to the interview and stated “I’m not going to speak for Rachel Notley. I’m frankly embarrassed by her. Right now, I am not embarrassed by Alberta.”

Brian Jean also pointed out the many differences between the reviews which happened under the previous administration and the review that Rachel Notley is defending. Jean argued that during the time when Lougheed was premier there were not the current market issues and the climate concerns and geopolitical instability that are an issue today. Jean went so far as to say that Notley’s comments were ridiculous. Jean continued by remarking that “When you’re investing $5 billion to $15 billion, those shareholders say if you don’t find the right investment and don’t invest properly, you’re fired. To send those shockwaves into the marketplace clearly causes a tremendous amount of unpredictability and people flee the marketplace. We’ve already seen the reactions from the market.”

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Alberta Ft Mac Politics

Brian Jean Believes Parsons Creek Facility Should be Canceled, Facility Moved Downtown Instead

Parsons Creek, Brian Jean

Brian Jean, the Wildrose Opposition Leader, is requesting that the provincial government terminate the Parsons Creek continuing care facility development. This request is not because Jean thinks that the facility is not needed, rather that it should be located in downtown Fort MacMurray at Willow Square instead. Jean said “There’s still a chance to get this right. I find it absolutely outrageous that this was approved after the election when the people of Fort McMurray clearly said they have no interest in (the) Parsons Creek location. This is now made more expensive, (but) it doesn’t mean that it’s going to go ahead. This isn’t about money, this is about the right kind of care, in the right location, for the seniors who built our country.”

The Parsons Creek location for the continuing care facility has been controversial from the start. Brian Jean has said that every senior he has spoken with would like to see the facility in downtown Fort MacMurray, and that it is a mistake to move forward with the current plan and location. Changing things would have a cost because of cancellation fees, but that is better than spending a lot more on what Jean has called the “wrong project in the wrong location.” The Parsons Creek tender was awarded on May 13, 2015, the same day that Jean sent a written request to Premier Rachel Notley. The request was to delay the tender award, with Jean writing that “awarding the tender for Parsons Creek would have flied in the face of years of community consultation.”

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Ft Mac Politics

Oilsands First Nation Chiefs Happy Old PC Government Ousted But Sill View Brian Jean Suspiciously

Brian Jean, Oilsands First Nation chiefs

The Oilsands First Nation chiefs are happy that the old PC government has been ousted but they are still viewing Wildrose Leader Brian Jean with suspicion. According to Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation spokesperson Eriel Deranger “Our main concerns are focused on First Nation rights and we hope Brian Jean takes some sage advice from NDP leadership and works with us.” Premier-elect Rachel Notley acknowledged that there has been a lot of tension in the relationship that the government has with the aboriginals in Alberta when she made her victory speech, and vowed to work hard to repair this relationship. “The trust that we have been given tonight is a call to be better neighbours and better partners. I am looking forward to consulting with you and learning from you.”

Brian Jean has angered the Oilsands First Nation chiefs in the past with some of the policies that he enforced. In 2012 the relationship with Jean got even worse because the politician voiced support for the Navigable Waters and Protection Act. The Wildrose website states a promise to “promote partnerships with our First Nations and Metis peoples in the development of our provincial natural resources and overall economy” but does not provide any more specifics. The relationship with Danielle Smith was nonexistent, and there is hop that Notley can change this. Treaty 8 Grand Chief and Mikisew Cree First Nation chief Steve Courtoreille said “We felt we weren’t a priority in her agenda. We hope we’re a priority for Brian, because we’re certainly a priority for Premier Notley. We have to live with him and make sure we are on the same page. We need to find an area where we can all work together and build from there. He’s the opposition leader, so he has no choice. He needs to work with us. Whatever was in the past is in the past.”

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Alberta Economic Ft Mac Health

Accusations Made by Brian Jean Against PC Opponents About Willow Square

Brian Jean, Willow Square

Brian Jean is making accusations against his PC opponents over Willow Square. Jean is accusing is opponents of hypocrisy over the project and they are pointing the finger right back at him. Two emails from 2012 show that both Don Scott and Mike Allen were against moving a long term care facility to Parson’s Creek when they were municipal councilors. On January 10, 2012 a statement from Mike Allen read “I am very disappointed to learn that the LTCC site was changed without consulting the seniors of this community or incorporating their views. I’ve heard that whether or not the facility is built at Willow Square, seniors believe it MUST (sic) be built in the lower townsite.” The same day Don Scott sent an email saying “I believe that the government of Alberta should suspend the decision to relocate the LTCC, which would permit a re-evaluation of the benefits associated with both sites through engagement with Fort McMurray’s seniors.”

Brian Jean is critical of his opponents when it comes to Willow Square, and one of the first policy announcements that Jean made during his campaign was to place a priority on senior care. Jean said “They knew the Parson’s Creek deal made no sense for Fort McMurray. They openly said so, before they became MLAs. Parson’s Creek is a classic case of these PC MLAs turning their backs on our community and not listening to constituents.” Mike Allen fought back, saying “We’ve learned a lot throughout the last three years. Long-term care should have started construction a year ago, but political reasons has led to a delay of that project. This is an important project for the delivery of health care to our seniors.” Mike Scott also countered the criticism and stated “When Brian Jean talks about Willow Square, he never mentions that he quit on this region and we spent $16 million buying the land. Premier Prentice made that purchase not even 100 days into his term.”

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Alberta Economic Ft Mac

TFW Reforms Called For By Brian Jean

Brian Jean, TFW reforms

TFW reforms are being called for by Brian Jean, although the Wildrose Leader does believe that Canadians and Fort MacMurray residents should get first shot at any jobs available before temporary foreign workers are offered an employment opportunity. Jean told the media during an interview “First, people from Fort McMurray are the ones that should be prioritized for jobs locally. The second are Albertans. Then Canadians, and if there is a real demand and shortage, then temporary foreign workers can be used. But that program should be an accelerated citizenship and residency program. If they have shown they are honest and trustworthy, if they work hard after coming to Canada, we should give them the opportunity to become Canadian citizens. I’ve heard from lots of businesses who are not happy with the way Alberta is being treated right now.”

While Brian Jean is calling for TFW reforms he also says that he understands why there may be a need for foreign workers at times and any increase in labour shortages would be disastrous. Jean was also critical of the large number of work camps across Alberta and the fact that land costs and other prices in Fort MacMurray are incredibly high. Jean commented “It’s a mess all the way through. Those people don’t pay taxes to Alberta while they use our services. If people want to work in Alberta, they should be able to move to Alberta and bring their families to Alberta, pay their taxes in Alberta.”

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Alberta Ft Mac Politics

MP Mailouts Costing Thousands Defended by Brian Jean

MP mailouts, Brian Jean

Brian Jean is on the defensive about the thousands of dollars that has been spent on MP mailouts. Over the weekend Don Scott, the Advanced Education Minister, leveled accusations of hypocrisy against Jean. In a statement that Scott sent out there is a claim that MP mailouts during Jeans time as an MP have totaled $138,637.59 on printing alone. In the years from 2008 and 2014 an average of $62,360.12 was spent on the cost of printing. Scott stated “Brian Jean talks about being a fiscal conservative but billed taxpayers for almost half-a-million dollars for printing while he was the MP for this region.” Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation Alberta director Derek Fildrebrandt wrote a 2010 blog post which called this type of spending a wasteful entitlement for MPs.

The statement by Scott about the MP mailouts by Brian Jean also ridiculed a mailout in 2013 which included crossword puzzle that had questions about Jean’s personal life and career. Scott explained “Brian talks a good game but doesn’t hesitate to spend endlessly to promote himself. This community deserves somebody who treats their tax dollars with respect.” Jean fought back against the criticism, explaining that the crossword puzzle was an attempt to engage voters in Wood Buffalo and get them involved in the political process. “Voter apathy in Fort McMurray has long been an issue and we need to be thinking of new ways to connect with constituents.” Jean also stated “What I’m hearing from Albertans is they want us to focus on our five priorities and our fiscal plan. People are concerned with record levels of taxes and debt brought forward by the PCs and my sole focus is to provide an alternative to this government.”