Former UCP leadership contender Brian Jean quits as Fort McMurray MLA
Fort McMurray — Brian Jean has resigned as MLA for Fort McMurray-Conklin, citing a desire to spend time with his family and rebuild his home, which was destroyed in the May 2016 wildfire.
Jean made the announcement during a Monday phone interview with Fort McMurray Today, after being dogged for months by rumours surrounding his future as a politician following his loss to Jason Kenney for United Conservative Party leadership in October.
“My wife and my family have made a lot of sacrifices for me and I would like to give back to them,” he said Monday. “I’m stepping aside because, frankly, I have to focus on my family and my life.”
Jean said he knows some people will accuse him of being a sore loser, but insists his desire to leave comes mostly from a desire to focus on his home life.
He only recently started rebuilding his Fort McMurray home.
One of his sisters also has stage 4 cancer, while two other family members are also battling the disease. The experience brought back memories of when he lost his son, Michael, in March 2015.
“I lost my son and I lost my house, and it’s been a tough few years for my family,” he said. “Being a politician is a 24-7 job. At this stage, I need to rebuild, I need to spend time with my family, I need to spend time with my friends, I need to get grounded again.”
No date for a byelection, which must be called within six months of a riding being vacated, has been set. The next provincial election is scheduled for May 2019.
No one has declared themselves as candidates, although Jean said he has heard from several residents interested in running.
Source:
http://calgaryherald.com/news/politi...ime=1520296866