INNISFAIL ó Despite tough economic times and an uncertain future across the province and Central Alberta, Wildrose Leader Brian Jean remains optimistic for better days ahead.
The Opposition leader, who spoke at the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre on Feb. 19, said his optimism was reflected in last week's announcement that GrainsConnect Canada Operations Inc. will be going ahead with a massive $30 to $40-million grain terminal at Niobe, two kilometres north of Innisfail.
"It's going to be much more convenient for farmers and create a central hub for it," said Jean. "It's going to be much more efficient as far as the cost structure goes, so it should ultimately give more money back to the farmers."
Jean came to the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre to show his support for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA Don MacIntyre at a party fundraiser. MacIntyre said he and the party have seen the economic decline across Alberta and in rural communities like Innisfail, but he echoed his leader's optimism.
"We're going through a terrible economic time right now. It's been aggravated by government policies that are making a bad situation worse," said MacIntyre, adding he was also pleased with last week's grain terminal announcement for Niobe. "I think this is amazing. I think it is timely. We've been seeing a decline across Alberta in our rural communities, a decline of economic activity and this is just exactly the kind of thing that we need, especially in this area."
Jean noted working Albertans are well positioned for the future, emphasizing their high level of training, education and motivation in all sectors of the provincial economy. However, he also underscored the NDP government is not doing enough to help them, including workers in Central Alberta, navigate through the battered economy.
"The things they're (NDP) doing is causing us a lot of problems and a lot of job layoffs, especially in this area," he said, adding many party supporters are asking plenty of questions about the ongoing movement to unite the right.
"These are (Wildrose) members so they're driven by wanting to see political change in Alberta," said Jean, noting the current economic climate has become so distressed many recently laid-off temporary workers are leaving Alberta and its struggling economy to return home out east.
"When people come to Alberta and they take up a life here and they take up a job, they make a tremendous sacrifice to be here," said Jean. "I think it's up to their government to support them by creating initiatives that will create jobs."
He also believes that Bill 6, the recently passed farm safety legislation that received widespread condemnation from most farmers across Alberta, will continue to anger and frustrate the agricultural community.
"I don't think it will (subside) until the government does proper consultation," he said. "There's a consultation process right now for the regulations. We're hoping that a lot of people in Alberta will get involved in this process and make sure they have their voice heard so that we get a better piece of legislation."
When asked about the NDP government's communications strategy in light of the recent controversy with Rebel Media and leader Ezra Levant, Jean stressed the important role media have in a democracy, adding it's not the government's role to dictate what journalists can write.
"Their original approach was shocking to say the least. I don't think it's up to our government to decide who writes stories in favour of them or against them," explained Jean.
"It's absolutely critical that (media) have the freedom to move around, to write the stories that they want to write and have access to the information they need in order to write those stories."
Brian Jean
"When people come to Alberta and they take up a life here and they take up a job, they make a tremendous sacrifice to be here. I think it's up to their government to support them by creating initiatives that will create jobs."
