Former Wildrose Party leader Brian Jean, who represented Lac La Biche for over a decade as the MP for the Athabasca and Fort McMurray-Athabasca riding, announced his retirement from politics March 5
In an e-mailed statement, Jean stated he would be stepping aside as the MLA for the Fort McMurray-Conklin constituency.
"I did not make this decision lightly. Being elected to represent the people of Fort McMurray in different capacities since 2004 has been one of the greatest honours in my life,” Jean said.
"Alberta and Albertans are always close to my heart and mind, but I believe now is an important time in my life to draw closer to my family, my kids and grandchildren.”
Jean first entered federal politics in 2004 when he was elected as the Conservative Party MP for the Athabasca riding, which at the time included Lac La Biche County. At the time, the Conservatives were the Official Opposition to the Liberals headed by Paul Martin.
He was re-elected as the MP for the newly-created riding of Fort McMurray-Athabasca in 2006 and remained in that position for eight more years.
2006 also marked the year the Conservatives formed a minority government, and Jean was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities for six years. He was also a full-time member of the Standing Committees on Finance and Justice.
Jean retired from federal politics in 2014, but in March of 2015, he entered the provincial political arena when he won the leadership of the Wildrose Party.
"I entered provincial politics because I believed Albertans deserved better from their government — whether it was an unresponsive health care system, irresponsible spending, or suffering from a decline in democracy,” Jean said.
When he started out, the Wildrose Party had been crippled by the defection of Danielle Smith to the Conservatives. During his tenure, the Wildrose Party Caucus grew from three members to a total of 22, and the party coffers increased by nearly $1 million.
When former MP Jason Kenney began pushing for a unification of the Wildrose Party and the Alberta Conservative Party, Jean was initially resistant. But in May of 2017, the two sides agreed to come together as the United Conservative Party (UCP).
"Conservatives are stronger together,” said Jean. "Together with my caucus and our movement, I worked hard to set out a vision of unity for Albertans and members of our party. It’s a legacy I’m proud of.”
Jean vied for the UCP leadership against Kenney, who had been elected as leader of the Alberta Progressive Conservatives prior to the UCP’s formation. Sadly, he lost his bid.
"I was proud to run for the leadership of the United Conservative Party and was incredibly touched by the support I received. Our members set out a clear direction for our party, and I would like to wish Jason Kenney and the rest of my UCP colleagues the very best as they prepare for the next election.”
Jean said it was humbling to lead the Official Opposition to the NDP government for two years, during which time he met with Albertans from every corner of the province and advocated for them in the Legislature.
As noted in the release announcing his retirement, Jean had been particularly outspoken on issues like health care, equalization, energy policy, property rights, off-highway vehicle use, parental rights and "protections for our most vulnerable.” Notably, his motion to provide sensitivity training for provincial judges was passed by the Alberta Legislature.
Jean noted his wife Kim was his greatest supporter during his time as MLA, but it was time to "take the next steps on our adventure together,” which would include rebuilding the house that was destroyed in the Fort McMurray wildfire.
Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills MLA David Hanson, who was elected as a Wildrose MLA in the 2015 provincial election, said he thought Jean was a "great guy” and believed he would be missed politically.
Notably, when Jean was campaigning during the 2015 provincial election, he made a stop in Lac La Biche for a meet-and-greet at Tom’s Pizza and Steakhouse.
"I worked with him mostly from the MLA standpoint; I didn’t really know him when he was in Ottawa,” said Hanson. "Over the last two and a half years … he treated us all very well and with respect.”
Hanson noted that, with the destruction of his house in the Fort McMurray wildfire and the death of his son from lymphoma, Jean’s departure from politics was understandable.
"Your personal life sometimes supersedes your political life,” he said.
It should be noted that Hanson had endorsed Jean for the leadership of the UCP. However, he said he believed that Kenney was doing a great job of representing Alberta.
"We need to do our best to get our province back on its feet,” Hanson said.
