If Brian Jean becomes leader of the United Conservative Party on Oct. 28, he’s promising recall legislation, referendums on photo radar and equalization payments, and banning the use of union dues for partisan activities.



Jean unveiled his most recent leadership planks Wednesday morning in Edmonton, many of which were policies the Wildrose Party pushed in the past.



Equalization in particular has been a pet peeve of the former Wildrose Leader.



Late last year he introduced Motion 509 in the legislature, demanding the provincial government study the program and carve out Alberta’s position before the next round of negotiations begins in 2018.



The NDP returned fire at the time, saying Jean should have done something about equalization when he was an MP.



Jean said Wednesday he wants to reopen negotiations with Ottawa about that section of the constitution and would put it to Albertans in a referendum, along with the use of photo radar in the province.



That’s an issue the provincial government is already looking at, but Jean was adamant it should be the people who decide the fate of photo radar, “not government bureaucrats sitting in Edmonton.”



As for the cost of holding referendums on equalization and photo radar, Jean proposed doing both during a municipal election.



Recall legislation, free speech



Jean announced his policies with the Alberta Legislative Building behind him, using the opportunity to take a dig at the NDP.



He accused the government of failing to listen to people inside that building, ramming through a carbon tax and Bill 6, the controversial farm worker legislation.



All UCP MLAs will have to cross the floor to become members of the new party. But with a 95 per cent pro-unity vote among the Tories and Wildrosers who cast a ballot over the weekend, Jean calls it “obeying the will of the membership.”



Jean promised to ensure free-voting among MLAs and introduce recall legislation to hold MLAs accountable between elections.



He also vowed to protect free speech on university campuses.



Though he didn’t give any specific examples, Jean cited “infringements on shutting down debates” over the last few years.



“The universities belong to the people of Alberta,” he said.



“We believe they should have the opportunity to have freedom of speech in the people-owned assets.”



Wildrosers offer endorsements



Flanking Jean as he announced his new policies were five party colleagues.



Glen van Dijken, member for Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock, Lacombe-Ponoka MLA Ronald Orr, Grande Prairie-Smoky representative Todd Loewen, Jean’s Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo colleague Tany Yao, and MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake, Don MacIntyre, all took turns to offer Jean their endorsement for UCP leader.



They mostly spoke of their personal respect for Jean, with MacIntyre pointing to the recent unity vote, and how his colleague managed to get him to change his mind about healing the rift with Alberta’s fellow conservatives.



In referencing Jean’s “rich work history,” Yao took a veiled swipe at Progressive Conservative leader Jason Kenney — a career politician who is expected to announce his UCP leadership candidacy this weekend.



“That’s what I like about (Jean) — he’s worked in his life, he’s worked in various roles,” Yao said.



“The important thing about having a man like himself who does have those work experiences is he understands the repercussions of his decisions. He’s hired people and he’s fired people.”



Jean officially launched his leadership bid Monday at the Rocky View County golf course in Airdrie.



At this stage, Jean and Calgary lawyer Doug Schweitzer are alone in their bid for the UCP throne.



egraney@postmedia.com



twitter.com/EmmaLGraney

