By BRIAN JEAN.In the last few weeks, I have watched Alberta politicians and advocacy groups discussing referendums and I feel the need to speak up. Everyone is missing the point and viewing the tool-to-an-end as an end-in-itself..In mid-March of 2017 as Leader of the Opposition I first called for an equalization referendum. In a media release I stated that Alberta should more aggressively “challenge the constitutional status quo” and use a referendum to get constitutional changes which would result in a “better deal for Alberta.”.I was clear that a referendum was a tool to force negotiations which would lead to changes to the Canadian constitution. This flowed from the Supreme Court of Canada reference on Quebec Secession which said that a province having a clear result on a referendum on a constitutional question forced the Federal government and other provinces to enter into bonafide constitutional negotiations on the topic of the referendum..As I said then: “A clear vote through a referendum would send a clear mandate to not only the provincial government but the federal government on getting Alberta a better deal.” I was clear that the purpose of a referendum on equalization was to force the “federal government to the table.” It has always been my belief that constitutional discussions, once started, would not be limited to just equalization – which is a good thing because equalization is not the biggest constitutional problem facing Alberta..In the last few weeks Alberta politicians and advocacy groups have been speaking as if an equalization referendum is a solution in and of itself. Some are now calling for many different referendums on different topics. Gone is any clarity on the need for constitutional negotiations and changes. Instead Albertans are offered a set of comparatively minor autonomy measures as a replacement for real change..While I have no big issue with the autonomy changes being considered they won’t fundamentally change the relationship between Alberta and Canada. They won’t get our energy to tide water where we can sell to someone other than the Americans. They won’t fix the fundamental imbalances that cause Canada to not recognize Alberta’s contributions. They won’t fix our broken democracy where neither of the houses of Parliament treat Alberta fairly or equitably. And they won’t return Canada to the original spirit of Confederation: that Canada was created so that its constituent parts could use the strength of a combined Canada to trade with the world and to increase the prosperity of Canada and all the pieces that make Canada..These are the important things that will make Canada work for another century. They matter more than provincial police forces or pensions or other symbols of provincial autonomy. Autonomy inside the province of Alberta won’t change the fundamentals of Canada. With the exception of pulling Alberta out of the CPP, none of these other changes would be felt in the rest of Canada..So why are so many politicians and advocacy groups pushing something less than the needed constitutional changes?.Some have likely missed the significance of what I was pushing for. Others are likely prepared to settle for these smaller changes because they fear the consequences of failed constitutional discussions..They probably agree with me that Albertans won’t vote to leave Canada until Alberta has made a good faith effort to fix Canada — and failed. Right now, a clear majority of Albertans want to fix Canada – they aren’t prepared to leave. At this time. .Any good faith effort to fix Canada requires constitutional changes. Ordinary politics and policy changes won’t cut it. They are too easily changed by the next government. I served a decade under Stephen Harper, the only majority conservative government in the last 30 years. All of Harper’s major policy changes were undone in Trudeau’s first two years. We can’t fix Canada through ordinary politics – it will require constitutional change..Status quo politicians are terrified of constitutional negotiations. But Albertans should press them to find the courage to charge ahead. Either we negotiate a good constitutional deal with the federal government and other provinces – which would be excellent – or we fail because the rest of Canada won’t recognize our aspirations, our legitimate grievances, and our immense contributions. And that situation might change the attitude and intentions of a clear majority of Albertans..Those who want Albertans to settle for something other than serious changes, fear that crucial change of attitude. They hope to play for time by getting us to settle for symbolic items that make us feel better but don’t actually change anything. They hope that time and circumstances will solve these problems because they fear the consequences of taking action to force things..The time has come to be brave and see what happens. Albertans need to pressure Jason Kenney to push for constitutional negotiations. With Premier Kenney Alberta will be represented by an ardent Canadian nationalist who can ably present Alberta’s issues to the rest of Canada in both official languages..We can fix Canada. And if we can’t, then Albertans will know where we stand and what we will have to do..Jean was first elected as a Tory MP in a Fort MacMurray-area riding in 2004. He was re-elected in 2008 and 2011. He resigned in 2014, and the next year become the leader of Alberta’s Wildrose Party. After the party merged with the UCP, Jean ran to become leader but lost to Jason Kenney.
