Brian Jean was chewing the fat — and some lunchtime appys with area residents on Friday afternoon. The incumbent MLA for the Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche constituency was at Lac La Biche's Fat Unicorn restaurant, sharing concerns and stories with residents as he continued his re-election campaign ahead of the May 29 provincial election.
Hosted by local party supporters, the complimentary eat-and-greet drew a few residents, giving the UCP candidate an opportunity to pull up a chair and digest local issues, concerns and opportunities.
With new development taking place in the coming months directly behind the restaurant where the event was being held, much of the conversation at the event focused on economic development and rural growth. Prior to the provincial election being called, Jean had been serving as the province's Minister of Job, Economy and Northern Development.
Other topics raised with the UCP candidate during the 90-minute event focused on provincial and local healthcare concerns, provincial infrastructure like highways, and affordable housing.
Jean and NDP candidate Calan Hobbs are the only contenders for the Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche provincial government seat that represents about 44,000 residents across a 32,000 square kilometre area. Hobbs has not responded to any requests for comment by the Lac La Biche POST newsroom since the election campaign began.
Jean, 60, a long-time federal and provincial politician in the region, returned to provincial politics in March of 2022, winning a by-election for the constituency seat left vacant after former UCP MLA Laila Goodridge was appointed as the area's federal Member of Parliament. Months after his by-election win, Jean ran to be the UCP leader, losing that race to current Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
Monday Vote
Voting stations are open all day on Monday, May 29 in the Lac La Biche area. Polling stations are set up at the Plamondon Festival Centre and the Lac La Biche Bold Center. More details on the vote — and results — can be found at the Elections Alberta website.
