Medicine Hat MLA wants to be appointed to cabinet as Minister of Autonomy
Posted Dec 2, 2020 3:16 pm.
Last Updated Dec 2, 2020 5:16 pm.
MEDICINE HAT (660 NEWS) – Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes says he wants Premier Jason Kenney to appoint him to cabinet and he already knows what portfolio he would like.
Barnes posted to his Twitter on Saturday saying Kenney should appoint him as a new Minister of Autonomy.
“Saskatchewan recently had a provincial election, and after winning his mandate, Premier Moe in naming his cabinet, put Lyle Stewart into the role of Legislative Secretary to the Premier responsible for Provincial Autonomy,” Barnes said in a statement to 660NEWS.
Barnes said Alberta needs to do more to get a fair deal from Ottawa after changes were announced to the fiscal stabilization formula during Monday’s fiscal update.
“With the full slate of recommendation put forth by the Fair Deal Panel, it only made sense, in the interest of ensuring and furthering Alberta’s push for a Fair Deal, that we have a person solely tasked on those items. Due to the fact that I was on the Panel, heard Albertans loud and clear, I am simply letting the Premier know that I am interested in taking on that role for Alberta.”
The change would give the province and other provinces who have seen a decline in revenue more money.
“I am certainly always committed to working on behalf of Albertans to ensure the future of this province, and Alberta being the freest, wealthiest jurisdiction, and that Alberta has the ability to control Alberta’s resources,” Barnes added.
However, Finance Minister Travis Toews says it “isn’t the $2.9 billion they are looking for.”
