Residents now have a better idea of what Brian Jean has to offer Alberta.
After a meet and greet session on Saturday, Oct. 14, with the United Conservative Party (UCP) leadership candidate, locals had a better understanding of his views on some of the issues in their own backyard.
In a packed Centre Ice Lounge at the Bonnyville Centennial Centre, Jean laid out what an Alberta under his reign would look like.
Touching on the current health system, Jean described how he believes it needs revisiting.
“Let's look around the world and put the best technologies right here. Let's not play games and try to make-up things as they come along. Let's not treat our kids like guinea pigs, or for that matter, our seniors. Let's find the best system in the world and bring it here,” he said.
With a strong stance that everyone needs to be held accountable, Jean touched on his views of combating rural crime.
“I think we need to look at the criminal justice model itself. What we have is a large emphasis on the justice model in urban areas. In rural areas, we seem to forget that we have long distances between communities and houses. We need to make sure that we have a more robust communication method and the opportunity for our police officers to respond in a reasonable time.”
What is even more concerning, he continued, is repeat offenders being constantly released from custody without proper rehabilitation or reprocussions.
“It's the revolving door of the justice system that we need to solve. That might mean more infrastructure in particular for jails, and more infrastructure for those who enforce our justice system, including police officers and crown prosecutors.”
When touching on the NDP's proposed framework for cannabis regulation, Jean expressed some of his concerns with how it looks.
The opportunity to tax and keep organized crime at bay are two concepts that he agrees with, however he stressed the importance of ensuring the drug is kept out of the hands of youth.
“What I am mostly concerned about is the safety of the issue itself, particularily with our youth. There is medical evidence that proves people under the age of 25, with continued use of cannabis, can have long-term permanent negative affects. That's very concerning,” he said. “I am also worried that long-term, cannabis as a general rule, will be difficult to enforce. We need to ensure we get it right.”
With local oilsands in mind, Jean discussed how he would aid industry leaders with the reduction of methane gas emissions.
He would use regulations in the United States and Saskatchewan as an example to shape our own in order to keep the province's more in-line with those of our competitors.
“Whatever the situation is with any regualtions, we need to make sure that they are at the same level and expectation.”
UCP members will be able to vote in the upcoming UCP leadership election on Oct. 28.
