A new political party is hoping to tap into voter discontent in western Canada.
The Maverick Party, led by former MP Jay Hill, was launched in September 2020. Formerly known as the ‘Wexit’ Party, it seeks to change what it says is the “unfair” position of the western provinces in Confederation.
The party intends to run a limited number of candidates in select constituencies in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC in the next federal election.
That vote could take place within a matter of weeks, according to Martin Whitbread, President of the Maverick Party’s newly-formed Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek Electoral District Association (EDA).
“We believe strongly the election will be called as early as August 8,” said Whitbread. “That puts us into an election in mid-September.
He said the party currently has 16 candidates nominated.
“Eventually we want to run candidates in all the riding in the four western provinces,” said Whitbread. “But the Maverick Party is new, and with more limited resources than other parties, so right now we’re concentrating on particular ridings that are more likely winnable for us.”
The party is targeting eight constituencies in Saskatchewan, including Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek.
The Maverick Party’s Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek EDA was established a little over two months ago, according to Whitbread. The riding was strategically chosen because it is among those that voted overwhelmingly for the Conservative Party in the last federal election.
Whitbread said even though the Maverick Party is looking to attract votes that might otherwise go to the Conservative Party, he doesn’t believe it will split the vote enough to allow an NDP or Liberal Party candidate to win the seat.
“In the riding of Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek, Kelly Block won the riding last election by capturing 78 per cent of the vote,” said Whitbread. “The NDP and Liberals were a distant second and third. That means we could split the conservative vote right down the middle, with no chance of sending an NDP or Liberal to Parliament.”
Whitbread said the Maverick Party grew out of “disappointment” with the Conservatives and other federal parties “being unable or unwilling to represent the west.”
He said the goal of the party now is to elect as many MPs as possible.
“The best-case scenario for us would be to have all our candidates elected, and to have a minority Conservative government,” said Whitbread. “Then the Maverick Party would be in a position similar to what the NDP and Bloc Quebecois are in now in relation to the Liberals. In order for the government to pass legislation, it would have to have support from the Maverick Party on a case-by-case basis.
“Ideally we could be the tail that wags the Conservative dog.”
Whitbread said eastern Canadian interests are given higher priority by Ottawa, despite the fact that western Canada generates 75 per cent of the country’s revenue, primarily through the oil and gas industries. He said the party is opting for a “two-track approach” for achieving fairness for western Canada.
“Track A is constitutional change,” said Whitbread. “Track B would be the creation of an independent nation if the legitimate concerns of western Canada are not addressed.