The MLA for Calgary North-West announced on Thursday afternoon that she will be joining the NDP government as a member of caucus and says the PC approach to politics is out of touch with the desires of Albertans.
Sandra Jansen was the communication manager for Premier Alison Redford from October 2011 to March 2012 and was elected to her second term as PC MLA in May 2015.
On Thursday, NDP Premier Rachel Notley and Jansen held a joint news conference in Edmonton to make the move official.
“I am very pleased to announce today that Sandra Jansen has decided to join our team,” said Notley.
“Most Albertans are reasonable, moderate, pragmatic people. And most Albertans want a reasonable, moderate, pragmatic government. I believe we are getting that kind of government from Premier Notley,” said Jansen. “The best traditions of the Peter Lougheed legacy in Alberta politics are being pursued by Premier Notley. And that legacy is being kicked to the curb by the extremists who are taking over my former party.”
Notley says Jansen will have to ‘earn her place and her role in the government’ and that she is a ‘voice for practical and moderate, progressive policy.”
“I want to be part of a government that has an open door to the energy industry and to people working with the environment because those things go hand-in-hand,” said Jansen. “I’m going forward and I’m going forward with Premier Notley and the NDP.”
“She will be a very valuable member of our caucus, I know that already, our caucus is very excited about it, our cabinet is very excited about it. We look forward to having Sandra in Calgary to expand our relationships and open the door to even more,” said Notley.
Jansen says when she announced she was stepping out of the PC leadership race she was contacted immediately by NDP members.
“I think it’s telling in the first few hours. I had probably twelve messages of outreach from the NDP caucus before I heard a single one from my own caucus, I think that really says a lot,” she said. “I want to be part of a group of people who aspire to something better and I think that I haven’t felt that in a long time and I want that going forward.”
Jansen says she expects some backlash for her decision and that she has had a “pretty steady diet of it’ over the last few months so she is prepared.
“I would image there are going to be people who are very upset. I also imagine that there are going to be a lot of people who say, you know what, we like the idea that you’re actually going to be a legislator first and a party politician down the road and that means going to work and getting some things done.”
She says her decision was based on where she thinks she can work the most effectively and not on her electability.
“At the end of the day, the important thing for me is less about the fighting that is consuming the party right now and more about getting some actual work done for my constituents and that’s what I want to do.”
The PC Party released a statement regarding Jansen's new role.
"While I'm disappointed that Calgary-North West MLA Sandra Jansen has chosen to cross the floor to the NDP caucus, I respect her decision and wish her well in her new role. Sandra has been a valued member of our caucus and we know that the government will benefit from her sharp intellect and passion for serving Albertans," said Interim Leader Ric McIver.
"We wish Sandra Jansen well in her new role," said Party President Katherine O'Neill, "As a party, we have always supported her. We have taken her allegations of harassment and bullying very seriously, launching a third-party investigation and we will act on that report, regardless of this new development. Our party is working hard to rebuild to represent all Albertans, and we are disappointed Ms. Jansen has chosen not to support this effort.”
Jansen will join the NDP government caucus when the Legislature resumes its sitting on Monday.
