By Chris Brown

Virtual town hall

Barnes says he’ll engage with people before making a decision on his political future

May 18, 2021 | 9:37 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes says he’s received support from hundreds of people since being kicked out of the United Conservative caucus last week.

“I’m so grateful that so many of you did that from around the province and in so many different ways,” he said.

Barnes is sitting as an Independent MLA says he believes he has the ideas, energy and ability to continue as an MLA.

He says he’ll engage with as many Hatters, constituents and Albertans as possible to hear what they think the best path forward is for him, the riding and the province.

“I’m going to do everything I can to listen, to learn and to lead what is the best way forward for my constituents, for Alberta and for Albertans that believe in our province, that believe in Alberta, that believe in freedom, that believe in a strong economy.”

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Barnes held a virtual town hall on Facebook on Tuesday evening.

Last week, Barnes and Todd Loewen were both ejected from the UCP caucus. For months Barnes has pushed back against the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Loewen penned a letter last week calling on Premier Jason Kenney’s resignation.

During the virtual town hall, Barnes referenced a study from Simon Fraser University professor Douglas W. Allen that analyzed costs versus the benefits of COVID-19 restrictions.

He said the study showed the costs could be up to 282 times greater than the benefits. Barnes has said throughout the pandemic that it is leading causing other crises in mental health, overdose, self-harm and other areas.

Barnes also discussed vaccine procurement and vaccine passports. He called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a “disaster” and said he’s absolutely against vaccine passports.

He also said he is surprised the province and Alberta Health services didn’t do more to increase ICU capacity and staffing levels over the past year.

Barnes also went to bat for HALO Air Ambulance.

“We’re the only area of the province that doesn’t get dedicated, consistent funding for our emergency air ambulance, emergency helicopter,” he said. “All Albertans should be treated equally, all Albertans should be treated fairly.”

Barnes said he would like to see a portion of STARS’ funding diverted to HALO.

Questions during the town hall were wide-ranging.

Other topics included equalization, a referendum on Alberta independence and energy concerns.