Jay Hill, interim leader of the federal Maverick Party, says he hopes for a candidate for his replacement is someone that can “move the provinces and premiers towards greater autonomy for the West.”.On Wednesday, the Maverick Party released the rules for its leadership race that will see a new leader elected May 14, 2022..The party will officially be accepting leadership applications as early as January 3 with a deadline of April 30..Hill says he hopes to see two to six candidates apply..“I am aware of three or four people who are seriously considering running for leadership,” Hill told the Western Standard..“We’re more so focused on the quality side of things rather than quantity.”.The Maverick Party, formerly known as Wexit Canada, advocates for greater autonomy for Western Canadian provinces including BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the three territories..“I’d like to see someone with the right vision and oratory skills to communicate with passion for Western Canadians,” said Hill..Hill pointed to Quebec’s position within Canada and said the Maverick Party supports moving the western provinces in that direction..Included in the list of rules for those interested in throwing their hat into the leadership race is a registration fee set at $10,000..“Our governing council really struggled with that fee,” said Hill, who indicated the registration fee is still “substantially less” than any of the other federal parties. .“We were really aiming for the right balance — that sweet spot — where you want to be realistic and make it doable and not a deterrent..“It’s efficient to get serious contenders with serious commitment to register and not those with frivolous reasons.”.Hill, the former House leader for the Conservative Party of Canada, said he’s “too old” to run the party moving forward..“My roll in elected office is done,” said Hill, adding he was done with the “high stress and high drama” when he quit federal politics in the fall of 2010..When a new leader is elected in May, Hill plans to stay on and assist the party “depending on the needs of the new leader and how he or she feels I can contribute the most.”.Hill said he is excited and is looking forward to “a good, credible and lively leadership race.”.Melanie Risdon is a reporter for the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
