Article content I am a Canadian, through and through. So much so, in fact, that I get a thrill just knowing it and saying it. Recommended Videos I have lived in every province from Ontario west but I never referred to myself as, say, an Albertan, even though I lived in the province for 13 years.
For all intents and purposes, I was a Canadian who lived in Alberta. And I guess that my pride in being Canadian is why I got so upset when Quebec held referendums on separation from Canada in 1980 and 1995, both ending with the decision to remain, and why I am not happy with the separatist movement in Alberta today. I just find it hard to understand why anyone would even think about leaving this great country of ours.
But it appears Alberta is heading for a referendum on just that. Western alienation appears to be the root cause. Alberta, the thought goes, has never been treated fairly by the federal government.
The thought is not new. I lived in Alberta from 1962 to 1975 and it was prevalent in some areas then. “Let the eastern bastards freeze in the dark,” read some bumper stickers.
Not exactly a term of endearment. And it wasn’t only those who had been born and bred in the province who felt this way. I had friends from my hometown of Dryden in this province who, after moving to Alberta to work, quickly picked up the refrain about the ill treatment the province was being subjected to by the East.
During this time I moved to the Sault to become editor of The Sault Star and on visits back to Alberta I found myself involved in some pretty intense discussions on the topic. Actually, I couldn’t really understand Alberta’s problem when I lived there and I don’t now. Think about it.
It is the only province without a sales tax. This means, when compared to Ontario, its residents will start each day eight percent better off than we are as each day we will pay eight percent tax on most things, outside of groceries, that we will buy. Saskatchewan, at six percent, and Manitoba and British Columbia, both at seven, are the provinces with the lowest provincial sales taxes.
The territories, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, do not have territorial sales taxes; they only charge the five percent federal GST. When I was negotiating salary for my move to the Sault, the sales tax was a point I stressed as an eight-percent hit in daily living was considerable. It wouldn’t mean anything to those in Alberta as they had never experienced it their province with its gas and oil allowing them a perk the rest of the country didn’t have.
Since secessionists have formally submitted about 300,000 signatures to election authorities, far more than the 178,000 required for the province to consider a referendum, there probably will be one this fall. However, that does not come with a guarantee. Elections Alberta must verify the petitioners’ names, something that will take time, and Indigenous groups have filed a legal challenge, stating that separation would be a violation of their treaty rights.
In Quebec’s first referendum in 1980, the No side prevailed with 59.6 percent of the vote. It was much closer in 1995, with 50.58 percent voting No. However, the good news is a March poll found Quebecois secessionism at its lowest level of support since the 1995 referendum.
In Alberta, the latest Angus Reid poll on separation released on Feb. 9 showed 29 percent of Albertans said they would vote to leave Canada if a referendum were held today. Of that group, 21 per cent said they were leaning that way, with only eight percent saying they would definitely vote to leave Canada.
That compares with 65 per cent of Albertans who would vote to stay. Of that group, 57 per cent said they were definite about their decision. Those figures do ease the tension somewhat.
In regard to separation, “it stands for something that most of us Albertans and Canadians don’t stand for,” Thomas Lukaszuk, the province’s former deputy premier and a strong supporter of federalist identity, was quoted as saying. “It’s a form of treason. “The separatists are not elected members.
They’re just citizens of Canada residing in Alberta, and they actually formed delegations and are received by the highest levels of US administration,” Lukaszuk said. “That must be very empowering to them.” Indeed, expressions of support have come from the administration of President Donald Trump, who has angered Canadians by suggesting that the country should become the U.S. 51st state.
I don’t think the secessionists have actually looked far enough down the road to identify all the problems their proposal, if successful, would bring about. First off, the province would be landlocked. So much for getting any help with pipelines to move oil and natural gas.
Rather than open borders, customs would be required. Alberta would also need its own revenue agency, justice department, employment insurance, the list goes on. All aspects of cross-border trade, goods, and people would need to be negotiated between an independent Alberta and Canada with no guarantees of a “free flow” arrangement.
Canada contributes heavily to the provinces in regard to health care, something Alberta residents would now have to fund on their own. In 2023-24 the total was $49.4 billion, supporting roughly 22 percent of health spending. The federal government also provides targeted funding for specific areas like mental health, home care, and primary care through agreements with each province.
The federal government directly provides health services to specific populations, including First Nations people living on reserves. I think First Nations will continue to throw up roadblocks to the secessionist plans to take Alberta out of confederation. I am sorry that some prefer to be known as Albertans rather than as Canadians, but I am happy to know that the vast majority disagree.
Let’s keep Canada as it is. To anyone who doesn’t like it, here’s the door. dmillroy@gmail.com
