Rebel MLA Drew Barnes has again broken ranks with the UCP and says he supports the NDP motion that the legislature should debate saying Alberta is better off within Canada..But in a precedent-setting ruling, Legislature speaker Nathan Cooper shot down the NDP and Barnes’ arguments..Alberta’s UCP used their majority this week to successfully block an attempt by the NDP to force debate to denounce the independence movement in Alberta..In an unprecedented step, the government effectively shut down “private members business” by moving the motion to the bottom of the order paper, meaning no debate or vote will likely ever been had on it. Political watchers say the move is highly unusual..But Barnes, the UCP MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat, who wrote a dissenting Fair Deal panel report saying independence needs to be on the table, said that move wasn’t fair to the NDP..“Private members’ business is too important and too limited to be interfered with,” he said in the legislature..“We don’t have a lot of opportunity for this … in nine years I’ve had 1 private members bill and 1 motion – two opportunities to stand and present what’s crucial to the people of Cypress-Medicine Hat..““What happened yesterday interfered with one of my colleague’s – one of 87 of us (MLAs) – opportunity to do that.”.Barnes remarks drew applause from the NDP side of the leg..But on Wednesday, in a lengthy ruling, Legislature Speaker Nathan Cooper said the UCP operated in a proper standard and dismissed complaints by the NDP and Barnes who said after he was very disappointed..“As a legacy Wildroser from 2012, supported by thousands of Albertans who want democratic reform and more involvement in Alberta’s future, I call on Premier Kenney and Alberta’s government to enhance private members opportunities despite the Speakers ruling today,” Barnes said..Barnes, who wrote a dissenting Fair Deal panel report saying independence needs to be on the table, said the original NDP motion came as no surprise..“The NDP has been unwilling to stand up for Alberta families – this is no surprise at all,” Barnes said in an interview with theWestern Standard before the original vote..“It’s clear the actions of the feds and Ottawa have limited opportunity and hope in Alberta. We need opportunities to work hard..“Ottawa and the Laurentian elite have to realize there has to be consequences. I look forward to having a discussion about this with Albertans in the coming days.”.In June, Alberta’s Fair Deal panel recommended numerous changes the province can make quickly in order to get a better deal in Confederation – but there was no talk of long-term Constitutional change nor any mention of independence..The report said Alberta should take immediate steps to create a provincial pension plan, set up its own police force and appoint a chief firearms officer..In terms of the controversial issue of Fiscal Stabilization, the Fair Deal panel said Alberta should “press strenuously for the removal of the current constraints on the Fiscal Stabilization Program, which prevent Albertans from receiving a $2.4 billion equalization rebate.”.Other suggestions on what Alberta should do immediately is to secure a seat at the table when the federal government negotiates and implements international agreements and treaties affecting Alberta’s interests, opt out of new federal cost-shared programs, subject to Alberta receiving full compensation and continue to diversify Alberta’s economy in the energy sector and beyond..Barnes wrote his own report to Kenney urging a much stronger stance against Ottawa for the province to get a fairer deal in Confederation, adding that the issue of Alberta independence needs to be on the table..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694
