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Drew Barnes, an Independent member of Alberta’s Legislature, has been advocating for the province to have its own written constitution. According to Barnes, having a constitution would send a clear message to Ottawa to preserve the province’s freedom and prosperity. Barnes believes that the proposed constitution should primarily focus on limiting the size of progressive governments, establishing cultural values, having citizen initiatives and democratic reform, and defining the province’s relationship with Ottawa.
Barnes argues that Alberta’s constitution would force the government to increase spending based only on population growth and inflation. In an emergency, a two-thirds majority free vote in the legislature should give elected representatives true democratic power to decide if a different measure is necessary. Citizen initiatives and democratic reform, as seen in Switzerland, should also be included in Alberta’s constitution. Barnes suggests that the province should look at term-limits and recall of elected politicians.
Additionally, Barnes believes a constitution would define the province’s cultural values, such as family values, community values, oil and gas industry, agriculture, forestry, and a smaller government. Lastly, the constitution would improve Alberta’s relationship with Ottawa. Barnes suggests that a fairer deal is essential for the vast majority of Albertans. He proposes that with 87 constituencies in Alberta, each one could vote and appoint one or two representatives to be on a constitution-writing committee over a six or nine-month period.