Key Takeaways
- Thousands of people attended an Alberta independence rally in Calgary’s Stampede Park, with over 3,000 people in attendance and over 1,000 watching a livestream of the event on YouTube.
- The Alberta Prosperity Project CEO, Mitch Sylvestre, pointed to grievances with the federal government, including equalization payments, gun bans, and Canada’s immigration rate, as reasons for separation.
- A petition calling for a referendum on Alberta independence has been launched, with the goal of collecting close to 178,000 signatures by May 2.
- Supporters of the movement believe that an independent Alberta government could offer better benefits and support for the elderly and allow the province to be self-sufficient.
- Opponents of the movement, including those who support the "Forever Canadian" petition, argue that Alberta should remain part of Canada.
Introduction to the Alberta Independence Movement
The Alberta independence movement has been gaining momentum in recent months, with a rally held in Calgary’s Stampede Park on January 26 drawing thousands of attendees. The event was organized by the Alberta Prosperity Project, a group that has been advocating for Alberta’s separation from Canada. The rally featured speakers, including CEO Mitch Sylvestre, who outlined the group’s grievances with the federal government, including equalization payments, gun bans, and Canada’s immigration rate. Sylvestre asked the crowd if they would stay in a business arrangement with a group of people that didn’t respect them and continued to abuse them, implying that Alberta’s relationship with the federal government is similar.
The Rally and Petition Signing
The rally was preceded by a petition signing event, where attendees were able to sign a petition calling for a referendum on Alberta independence. The petition, which was launched by Sylvestre, aims to collect close to 178,000 signatures by May 2. If successful, the petition would trigger a referendum on whether Alberta should seek to separate from Canada. The event was well-attended, with long lineups forming outside the Big Four Roadhouse as people waited to sign the petition. Many of those in attendance were passionate about the cause, with some expressing their love for Alberta and their desire for the province to be self-sufficient.
Supporters of the Movement
Supporters of the movement, such as Alex Clarke, believe that an independent Alberta government could offer better benefits and support for the elderly, like his mother. Clarke stated that he loves Canada, but as an Albertan, he wants to see the province take care of itself. Dan Rollings, another supporter, expressed his disappointment with Canada, stating that it has changed for the worse. Rollings believes that signing the independence petition is a step towards a "purge" of what he considers political corruption and over-taxation. Georagette Tan, who has been in Alberta for over a decade, feels that the movement has allowed people to voice their concerns with the country.
Opposition to the Movement
Not everyone in attendance was in favor of Alberta independence. Michael Hartley, who was draped in the Canadian flag, expressed his desire to remain part of Canada. Hartley stated that he wants to let people know that it’s okay to choose to stay in Canada. The "Forever Canadian" petition, which was launched last year, has already been verified as successful by Elections Alberta, with over 400,000 signatures. This petition aims to make staying in Canada official policy for Alberta.
The Road Ahead
The separation petition signing events have been held across the province over the last few weeks, with more planned in the coming days. The movement has gained significant attention and support, with many Albertans expressing their desire for independence. However, the road ahead will be challenging, with opponents of the movement voicing their concerns and arguing that Alberta should remain part of Canada. As the petition deadline approaches, it remains to be seen whether the movement will be successful in collecting the required number of signatures and triggering a referendum on Alberta independence.
