LAC LA BICHE - He's been the area's federal Member of Parliament and the provincial MLA as well as the leader of Alberta's official opposition party, and Fort McMurray-based Brian Jean is looking to represent the area again.
Jean announced on his social media account late last week that he intends to seek the UCP nomination to fill the vacant MLA seat in the Fort McMurray-Lac La BIche. The seat has been open since former MLA Laila Goodridge stepped down from provincial politics to secure a seat with the federal Conservative Party as the region's MP.
After making the announcement, Jean politely side-stepped a request for an interview last Thursday from Lakeland This Week.
"I appreciate the opportunity. I will be in touch. For now I will leave it for a few days," said Jean, who is no stranger to the residents of northeastern Albertan
Jean was first elected as the Athabasca riding's MP in the 2004 federal election. Representing an area that included the current Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Athabasca County and Lac La Biche County, Jean remained the MP in the renamed Fort McMurray-Athabasca riding following the 2006 federal election. Jean was the region's MP until 2014 when he resigned from politics.
In 2015, he returned as a provincial Wildrose party candidate, and was elected as MLA for the Fort McMurray-Conklin constituency. Jean became the leader of the Wildrose party, which was the province's official opposition under the NDP government lead by Rachel Notley. Following a merger of the Wildrose Party and the Conservative Party to form the United Conservative Party in 2017, Jean was defeated by Jason Kenney in a leadership election for the new party. In early 2018, Jean again resigned from politics.
In a Nov. 3 social media posting, Jean says his decision to return to provincial politics is to address growing public concerns, to keep the NDP from returning to power, and to perhaps stir things up ... from both sides of the Legislature.
"You spoke and I listened. Something must be done or Rachel Notley will win the next election with an overwhelming majority. That will be bad for Alberta," he commented on a social media posting to announce his candidacy, and seek support.
"I have filed papers with Elections Alberta to pursue the UCP Nomination for Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche. I will need your help. The NDP won't want me to be in the Legislature. Some in the UCP will want to stop me as well."
Jean's initial posting has received more than 1,000 comments. According to the returning politician, the vast majority have been positive.
"I'm gratified to get 7,900 thumbs up to only four angry faces," he commented on a followup posting.
There has yet to be a date set for a by-election.
Covering the Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche riding as well as his own Lakeland constituency since Goodridge stepped down, UCP MLA Dave Hanson has told Lakeland Today that only the Premier can call a by-election.
Premier Kenney has not specifically addressed the by-election date, which has to happen before Feb. 15.
Jean isn't the only regional candidate looking to fill the vacant MLA set. Fort McMurray-based economist, engineer and financial professional Joshua Gogo has also put his name forward as a possible UCP candidate.
