Alberta’s Ex-MLA Proposes New Federal Party

A former MLA known for challenging his conservative peers believes Alberta needs a fresh federal party that focuses entirely on the province.

Drew Barnes stepped down from his role as an MLA as an independent in 2023 after three terms representing southeast Alberta’s Cypress riding as part of Wildrose and United Conservative parties.

This week, he revealed plans to establish the “Alberta Now” federal party, which aims to advocate for provincial independence and represent conservative Albertans’ views.

“For decades, Alberta hasn’t had a strong enough voice in Ottawa,” he told , explaining that his new party would only field candidates in Alberta and would function similarly to how Bloc Quebecois does now or how the early Reform Party operated.

“It’s very feasible,” said Barnes. “The Reform Party was a strong voice for the West when they promoted the idea that ‘the West wants in.’ When they decided to merge with the (then Progressive) Conservatives, we lost our Western representation.”

Short Opportunity Window, According to Professor

Duane Bratt, a political science professor at Calgary’s Mount Royal University, says this moment coincides with Albertans considering a sovereignty referendum. This opens up new possibilities, but creating a successful new party is still quite “hard,” he noted.

“There’s definitely space for it, especially during discussions about separation referendums, but there have been attempts like this before,” said Bratt, referencing the Maverick Party that emerged before the 2021 federal election as a right-leaning option focused on Western voters.

That party ceased operations early last year.

“Alberta has a history of forming new parties; however, most go nowhere. But occasionally-like with the Wildrose Party or the Reform Party-they manage to capture something significant. Is separatism part of that?”

A lawn sign in Medicine Hat, Alta., promotes the coming Oct. 19 provincial referendum that will ask if Albertans want to proceed to a formal vote on separation. (Collin Gallant/CBC)

Bratt suggested it could attract supporters from Alberta’s CPC who feel their party isn’t taking a strong enough stance regarding the upcoming provincial referendum about moving toward formal separation voting.

Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Party has campaigned with the slogan “a stronger Alberta within a united Canada” – very similar to what the provincial United Conservatives say.

This shows, according to Barnes, that CPC needs support from central or eastern Canada if they want enough seats for government formation.

“[Alberta Now] isn’t aimed at anyone other than it’s here to help Albertans,” he stated. “The goal is to be Alberta’s voice in Ottawa and support what’s best for our province.”

Plans Underway for Registration and Candidate Search

Barnes announced his project during an economics discussion titled “Capitalism and Morality” held in Calgary last weekend. He told he’s currently talking with potential candidates and intends to register his party this fall.

He hopes to run in any byelections leading up to next general elections.

Retired Medicine Hat College instructor Jim Groom has followed regional politics closely over many years and mentioned that achieving success may be tough.

Barnes is well-known among staunch conservatives but also faces criticism from some quarters, Groom added.

The real estate agent was elected twice under Wildrose’s banner and finished second in leadership prior to 2015 elections. After joining UCP for 2019 elections where he criticized then-leader Jason Kenney resulting in removal from caucus.

Barnes didn’t run again in 2023 but did come second while vying for mayor of Medicine Hat last year.

Groom feels depending on what candidates this new party puts forth may not show much difference compared with Conservative Party overall.

“I don’t really see much distinguishing [a new party] from CPC,” Groom remarked.

“His platform appears centered around capitalism and small government which aligns closely with CPC positions.”

CPC Enjoys Strong Backing In Rural Areas Of Alberta

Saying since BQ dilutes Liberal brand influence within Quebec impacting national election outcomes-Groom thinks same would likely apply similarly within AB regarding Conservatives.

In upcoming 2025 federal elections almost all Conservative nominees outside main cities managed securing two-thirds or more votes cast within AB region.

Across total thirty-seven races only six CPC nominees received below fifty percent backing-three won while three lost.

Barnes dismissed concerns regarding possibility his emerging political group might dilute conservative vote affecting CPC performance adversely saying:

“I would hope not,” he stated. “We just want focus exclusively upon these thirty-seven seats ensuring effective representation. Plus , Conservatives remain second-best alternative ”

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