Updated 2 December 2023
I receive about two to three dozen emails from the Government of Alberta news service (Alberta.ca/News) each week. These emails keep me up to speed with what is going on with the Government of Alberta. Perhaps half of these releases are not significant recognizing special holidays or special days or weeks that government ministers or departments wish to acknowledge. Some are for junkets of MLAs travelling to various conferences. Perhaps 10 per cent are substantive and feature the premier and the relevant minister issuing statements which are picked up by the media. Many coincide with major news conferences such as the recent one on health care reforms.
Most unusual these past six months has been the virtual non-presence of the Minister of Energy and Minerals, Brian Jean, from any government announcements. Historically, the energy minister has been one of the most senior members of cabinet ranking with the finance minister as one of the most influential in the ministry.Historically. the role of energy minister has been highly prized. Previous cabinet heavyweights such as Ernest Manning, Don Getty, Merv Leitch, Patricia Nelson, John Zaozirny,Rick Orman,Ted Morton and Sonja Savage have played central roles in economic development and intergovernmental relations.
In a word search of the Alberta News website, Jean’s name came up five times. Once in a statement about the World Petroleum Conference in June. The remaining references all have to do with his appointment to cabinet, or cabinet committees and his mandate letter.
Over the past six months, it has become increasing clear that Mr. Jean has been sidelined by both the Premier, which is obviously her prerogative, but also by the Minister of Environment and Parks, Rebecca Schultz.
Schulz has been Smith’s go-to spokesperson against the federal government. She has appeared with the premier on several notable announcements particularly fighting the federal government on the GHG emissions cap.
Eighteen hits were generated with her name including a November 16th announcement with the Premier championing the province’s and industry’s victory at the Federal Court of Canada over the federal government on the single use of plastics. On 3 November Schulz appeared with Premier Smith to draw attention to ” dangerous federal electricity regulations.” This was the germination of a national advertising campaign featuring purported blackouts caused by federal overreach.
To my knowledge Jean’s absence has not sparked any media attention. Jean has answered questions in the Legislature but remained outside the public spotlight.
Postscript
As if on purpose! Brian Jean resurfaced to co-announce with Premier Danielle Smith another grant program this time one that provides grants of up to 12 per cent of eligible capital costs for carbon capture projects. The announcement falls within Jean’s bailiwick as most of the carbon capture projects- not all of course, will assist oil and gas and bitumen extractors.