Albertans ‘crushed’ by Liberal election win rally to separate from Canada
Katheryn Speck, a former Canadian nationalist, expressed her disappointment with the current state of affairs in Canada at a recent rally in Alberta. Speck, who used to proudly display the maple leaf on her backpack and even lived in Quebec to become bilingual, now feels disillusioned with the country. She believes that Alberta will never be adequately represented in Canada and sees no possibility of changing the government.
The rally, attended by hundreds of people waving Alberta flags and even some displaying the U.S. Stars and Stripes, was a show of support for separation from Canada. Premier Danielle Smith’s government recently introduced legislation to make it easier for citizens to call for a referendum on seceding from the country. This move was prompted by the federal Liberals’ election win, which has left many Albertans feeling marginalized and unheard.
Speck cited the National Energy Program of the 1980s and a decade of Liberal policies that have hindered Alberta’s energy industry as reasons for her shift in perspective. She feels that the province is consistently overlooked and undervalued in the political landscape of Canada. Other rally attendees echoed similar sentiments, with concerns about job protection in Alberta’s oil and gas sector and frustration with the lack of support for pipelines.
However, not everyone at the rally was in favor of separation. A few dozen counter-protesters highlighted the potential violation of treaties with First Nations that could result from Alberta’s secession. Piikani Nation Chief Troy Knowlton emphasized the importance of respecting treaty rights and maintaining the relationships between First Nations and the federal government.
Premier Smith, in response to these concerns, reiterated her commitment to respecting treaty rights and stated that her actions are focused on changing Alberta’s relationship with Ottawa rather than interfering with existing treaties. She has previously threatened a “national unity crisis” if her demands are not met by the federal government, but maintains that she supports a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada.
Overall, the rally in Alberta highlighted the deep-seated frustrations and divisions within the province. While some see separation as a solution to their grievances, others are wary of the potential consequences on treaty rights and national unity. The debate over Alberta’s future within Canada continues to be a contentious issue that will likely shape the political landscape in the coming months.
