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By Chris Brown

Panel member

Barnes draws hard line after release of Fair Deal Panel report

Jun 18, 2020 | 3:12 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – More than six months in the making, the report from the Fair Deal Panel that details how Albertans feel about the province’s place in confederation was released on Wednesday.

Cypress-Medicine Hat UCP MLA Drew Barnes, a member of the panel, was quick to offer his thoughts on the report. Barnes doesn’t think the 25 recommendations made will adequately address Alberta’s place in confederation and says the time may soon come that Albertans “seek another relationship, as a sovereign people,” something he claims a majority of his constituents would support.

In a letter published on his website, Barnes writes, “we should be clear with Ottawa and the other provinces that if the people of Alberta vote for a fair deal of constitutional equality within confederation, but these proposals are rejected, that Albertans will be given the opportunity to vote on their independence.”

Barnes says none of his recommendations are made lightly.

“I was born a Canadian, and sincerely wish to build a reformed Canada that treats all of its people equally and fairly. In fact, this is another opportunity for Albertans to lead the way, for by finding equality and fairness for ourselves, we can create the framework for others to find the same. Ultimately, this will help to build a stronger, freer, prosperous, and more united Canada. But if this is not possible, the majority of my constituents in Cypress-Medicine Hat and from across our land have made clear that we must seek another relationship, as a sovereign people.”

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He also pushes for a referendum on equalization, one of the key recommendations from the report, within six months. Premier Jason Kenney has said one will take place in 2021.

Barnes also writes that Albertans should collect their own corporate and personal taxes and developing a written Alberta constitution. Other parts of the letter touch on immigration, senate reform and free trade, among others.