Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes speaking publically one day after getting removed from caucus (Tiffany Goodwein/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

‘I did not want to get booted;’ Barnes on getting removed from caucus

May 14, 2021 | 6:31 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Cypress- Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes is speaking out after getting booted from caucus yesterday, following a seven-hour meeting with caucus members, that included a vote on Barnes’s future.

“I did not want to get booted. I actually voted for myself to stay. The premier was encouraging public debate, public discourse, and I’m not a member of cabinet. It is my obligation to Cypress-Medicine Hat, it is my obligation to speak up on the behalf of them to hold the government accountable,” Barns said.

Throughout the pandemic, Barnes has been heavily vocal of the province’s handling of COVID-19 and regularly advocated for a regional approach to restrictions.

He told CHAT News that he was only advocating, and believes his removal sets a dangerous precedent.

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“It sets a very, very, dangerous precedent, but myself and the colleagues who have done it have also received considerable accolades, considerable support when we have spoken up, and for me that is way more important,” Barnes said.

Barnes was booted alongside former UCP caucus chair Todd Loewen who, less than 24 hours before being removed, penned a letter calling for the premier to resign, noting dysfunction at the hands of Kenney’s leadership.

When asked about the dysfunction the former UCP chair was referring to, Barns said:

“I can say many, many times I tried to get things on the agenda of the caucus meetings. I spoke up in different ways, I was encouraged to debate and discourse on ideas and Albertans are still feeling today that their voices weren’t being heard,” Barnes said.

Local Political Science instructor Jim Groom believes the decision to remove MLA Barnes and Loewen came down to party discipline and loyalty. He believes Barnes’ public displeasure with the UCP’s stance coupled with the Loewen letter was enough to see their removal.

“I figured when they were kicking out Loewen, they might as well kick out Drew I think is what they thought because they have both been a bit of a thorn in the side, both of them have been that way for a little while now, especially Drew,” Groom said.

Barnes is now serving as an independent and he believes that is the best way to convey the region’s concerns, especially with the pandemic. But Groom isn’t so sure and said having an independent representative will have implications in the long run.

“ If we thought we were the forgotten corner before, We ain’t seen nothing yet because we are going to continue to be even more so the forgotten corner. If you don’t have a voice at the table it is one thing, but to have an opponent at the table is another thing altogether,” Groom said.

But Barnes doesn’t believe that will be the case, citing his efforts as an opposition member of the Wildrose Party.

“ The 2012, 2015 Wildrose opposition might have been one of the best oppositions ever and we had a lot of things highlighted. So I will have the opportunity, have the energy to present Cypress-Medicine Hat needs continuously as I have in the past, and shame on the UCP and shame on them if they don’t listen,” Barnes said.

As for if Barnes will form his own party, that remains to be seen.

“ I’m going to talk to my wife, I’m going to talk to my family, I have three adult sons. I am especially going to spend a lot of time talking to constituents of Cypress- Medicine Hat and hear what their thoughts are,” he said.