Alberta, Canada is currently in the midst of a wave of calls for independence. This has led more and more residents to speak out against these policies coming from the federal government. The province’s Premier, Danielle Smith, revealed in a recent CNN interview that “a third or more of Albertans are fed up” with perceived neglect from Ottawa. This sentiment has pumped new life into the independence movement, drawing in activists such as Jeffrey Rath, of Red Deer, who want to see Alberta gain more autonomy.
As tensions flare, the heart of Alberta’s culture and identity comes into focus— the dichotomy of pride and frustration personified. Home to almost five million people, Alberta accounts for more than one of every ten Canadians. The independence movement has found an influential new base of support, particularly among those most angered by federally mandated lockdowns during the Covid pandemic.
The backdrop of the Edmonton Oilers’ participation in the National Hockey League finals against the Florida Panthers serves as a reminder of Alberta’s rich cultural landscape. Still, the passion for sports stands in stark opposition to the political turmoil that has been simmering in the province.
Growing Discontent Among Albertans
Smith’s remarks struck a chord, revealing an undercurrent of anger that has bubbled beneath the surface of Alberta society for some time. For too long, federal leaders have failed to listen to the needs of this community. As she said, “The question then becomes, what can we do to fix it? The question of whom government will listen to is perhaps the most fundamental and popular among Albertans’ concerns.
Young activists like Jeffrey Rath are part of an insurgent, go-hard-or-go-home independence wing. They believe it can provide a panacea to their complaints. Rath points toward that future, alive with possibility and rebellion, on his ranch just outside of Calgary. He claims that should Alberta achieve independence, the region would be embraced by the United States federal government.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, but we don’t see that happening.” – Jeffrey Rath
Rath’s view illustrates the complex nature of Alberta’s independence debate. Though he pushes for autonomy, he admits the unpredictability that would come with such a major shift.
It’s this kind of support that residents like Rath feel is critically needed. Businessman Mitch Sylvestre, one of the first Bonnyville arrivals, speaks about the federal government’s heavy-handed approach in enforcing policies that have devastated local economies. He says, “They want to get rid of our oil industry.” That points to a deeper economic discontent that is driving many of the residents who support the independence movement.
Legislative Changes and Their Implications
To counter this growing unrest, Premier Smith acted by endorsing Bill 41. This bill would reduce the current threshold number of signatures required to trigger a referendum on independence. This legislative change is the shot in the arm propelling the movement forward. It positively opens the door for Albertans to voice their wants in pursuit of some increased independence.
In addition, recent legislation gives the provincial government new powers to send troops into Canada to enforce its will. This controversial measure is a further indication of how seriously Smith and her backers are taking the chance for independence.
As Smith notes, this is about more than just breaking off from Canada. Beyond that, it stands as a strong call for recognizing Alberta’s distinct challenges. “I think that it’s a signal to Ottawa that they’ve got to start taking this seriously,” she says. Its impacts could be multi-fold, deepening the backlash for and against the province.
Activists insist that Alberta should be given the opportunity to run its own affairs, free from meddlesome oversight by Ottawa. To them, independence becomes more than a political aspiration. It goes beyond protecting their lands. It means respecting their culture and traditional way of life.
“It’s one of God’s treasures on earth. And the people here are very distinct people that have a very distinct culture and that are interested in maintaining that culture.” – Jeffrey Rath
Perspectives on Future Alliances
Add in the mood in Alberta, and you have a recipe for a willingness to consider new partners—especially when it comes to the United States. Many of these activists believe that it is there, to the south, that an independent Alberta would find its greatest ally and partner in secession. But they seem less willing to swap one complex partnership for another.
Our friend Albert Talsma expresses this doubt most clearly when he writes, “Donald Trump is not the messiah of the world. But at the same time, he’s realistic about the Trump effect — noting that, “But right now he’s North America’s best asset. This duality indicates the ambivalence in Alberta over the oppositional alliance that many hope to see.
Evelyn Ranger asks the Alberta folks if Alberta can survive without support from the rest of Canada. She acknowledges that “I’m not sure that Alberta or the western provinces, even combined, can go it alone.” Ranger thinks strong ties to the U.S. military and economy would offer greater security than independence.
Many Albertans crave change. The aspiration of these people has recently been expressed through costly symbolic gestures, such as interstate style billboards encouraging local residents to pressure Smith to join the U.S.
“They basically used the west as a colony, to take wealth from the west to support the east.” – Kate Graham
Graham’s statement perfectly conveys a tale most supporters of independence can relate to. They are indeed right to feel exploited by federal policies that benefit the eastern provinces. This story inspires their fight for a new, fairer deal.
