Alberta

[T Bear]

The other thing to be examined is the position of Premier Smith. Her government made it easier for Alberta separatists to force a constitutional referendum, by lowering the number of signatures required for a successful referendum on separation from 600,000 to 177,000. A clear concession to the extreme elements of the UCP.

As Smith has previously stated, lowering the number of signatures was in the works long before this most recent version of a separitist movement hit the mainstream.
Also, Thomas Lukaszuk's referendum for Alberta to remain in Canada came first.
So to suggest that Smith's government made this change in order to facilitate separation is false.

Premier Smith also has an obligation to explain to Albertans and Canadians what is meant by her desire to see a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada.

Obligation? She's explained it many times, but some people can't grasp the concept. Also, Alberta has sued the Federal government four times - and been successful each time - to stop the Federal government from over-stepping, ie. Danielle Smith fought for Alberta's sovereignty.

It is also time for the Premier to put patriotism, unity, and Canadian sovereignty before politics as the country approaches the renegotiation of CUSMA/USMCA. The renegotiation of this treaty will profoundly affect her province and how her province’s resources are produced and used throughout the world.  

Yet the Federal party who ACTUALLY controls CUSMA has no expectations placed on them? It is also time for the Prime Minister to put patriotism, unity, and Canadian sovereignty before politics as the country approaches the renegotiation of CUSMA. He's globe-trotting to make deals that won't even amount to a 'molehill' in comparison to the 'mountain' of trade that Canada does with the US.

C'mon now, get real.

~

Real. ^^ Nope, the judicially disallowed separatist petition came first, then Smith changed the rules, and started to complain about the judiciary system.

https://edmonton.citynews.ca/2025/12/16 ... ndum-vote/

And the latest on the latter,

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton ... -9.7079541

[erinmore3775]

As Smith has previously stated, lowering the number of signatures was in the works long before this most recent version of a separitist movement hit the mainstream.
Also, Thomas Lukaszuk's referendum for Alberta to remain in Canada came first.
So to suggest that Smith's government made this change in order to facilitate separation is false.


Obligation? She's explained it many times, but some people can't grasp the concept. Also, Alberta has sued the Federal government four times - and been successful each time - to stop the Federal government from over-stepping, ie. Danielle Smith fought for Alberta's sovereignty.


Yet the Federal party who ACTUALLY controls CUSMA has no expectations placed on them? It is also time for the Prime Minister to put patriotism, unity, and Canadian sovereignty before politics as the country approaches the renegotiation of CUSMA. He's globe-trotting to make deals that won't even amount to a 'molehill' in comparison to the 'mountain' of trade that Canada does with the US.

C'mon now, get real.

~

Real. ^^ Nope, the judicially disallowed separatist petition came first, then Smith changed the rules, and started to complain about the judiciary system.

https://edmonton.citynews.ca/2025/12/16 ... ndum-vote/

And the latest on the latter,

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton ... -9.7079541

Thank you T-bear for adding clarity to the sequence of reducing the requirements for seeking a referendum to 177,000 signatures.

See also https://edmonton.citynews.ca/2025/12/0 ... uestions/

[erinmore3775]

https://leger360.com/in-the-news-alber ... nd-leger/

The latest Leger poll indicates that “…most Albertans believe the province is headed in the wrong direction. Nearly six in ten Albertans believe the province is on the wrong track, while just over one-third feel it is headed in the right direction.” The poll indicates that healthcare and Separation are their primary concerns. Anyone examining healthcare in Alberta or Quebec would see that both systems are in virtual collapse despite what their governments say,

“While a large majority of Albertans say the province should remain part of Canada (71%), separatism has become a more prominent political issue. Nearly one in five residents (18%) supports the idea of Alberta becoming an independent country, while a small minority (5%) favour joining the United States.” Interesting that both Alberta and Quebec have failing healthcare systems and rising separation movements.

”Albertans’ assessment of the provincial government remains highly issue-specific. Approval ratings have improved in areas such as energy and pipelines, wildfire response, and taxation.
“However, the government continues to face strong disapproval on issues tied to everyday affordability and social well-being, including health care, housing affordability, homelessness, poverty, and the opioid crisis. This uneven performance suggests that electoral support does not necessarily translate into broad satisfaction with government action.

Seems that the conservative government of Alberta has exactly the same problems as the federal government in Ottawa. Something tells me that the separation movements have no solutions for those problems.

[Sol316]

The other thing to be examined is the position of Premier Smith. Her government made it easier for Alberta separatists to force a constitutional referendum, by lowering the number of signatures required for a successful referendum on separation from 600,000 to 177,000. A clear concession to the extreme elements of the UCP.

As Smith has previously stated, lowering the number of signatures was in the works long before this most recent version of a separitist movement hit the mainstream.
Also, Thomas Lukaszuk's referendum for Alberta to remain in Canada came first.
So to suggest that Smith's government made this change in order to facilitate separation is false.

Premier Smith also has an obligation to explain to Albertans and Canadians what is meant by her desire to see a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada.

Obligation? She's explained it many times, but some people can't grasp the concept. Also, Alberta has sued the Federal government four times - and been successful each time - to stop the Federal government from over-stepping, ie. Danielle Smith fought for Alberta's sovereignty.

In 2026, Poilievre and Smith are the two most dangerous politicians in Canada.

Smith says she wants "a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada".

Reality check, Danielle: Canadian provinces and territories are not sovereign entities in the traditional sense. They are part of a larger federal system with Canada. And while they have significant autonomy within their own jurisdictions, they are not independent.

[Sol316]

Cross Country Checkup with Ian Hanomansing
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1- ... ry-checkup

Audio
Feb. 8, 2026
Alberta separatists are now gathering signatures for a referendum they hope will force a province-wide vote on leaving Canada. Just last week, the Alberta Prosperity Project revealed they met with Trump officials, an act BC Premier David Eby called “treason”. What does it actually mean for a province to “separate from the country”? Are you worried about the Alberta separatist threat? What's one thing Ottawa should do to make Canada more unified?
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1- ... eal-threat

Audio
Feb. 8, 2026
Ask Me Anything: Jason Kenney on Alberta Separatism
26 mins
Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney has been critical of efforts by separatists in his own province, calling the push for a referendum on leaving Canada "deeply divisive." Last week, after separatist leaders claimed they had backing from members of the UCP. Kenney warned that MLA's from his former party should not be signing a petition that promotes separation. As the separatism debate heats up,Jason Kenney joined us for a special Ask Me Anything.
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1- ... separatism

Feb 8, 2026
Chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton speaks with Stéphane Dion, former Liberal Party leader and cabinet minister, about his perspective on Alberta separatism and how it compares with the work he did to clarify the mechanisms for Quebec separatism.

[Babba_not_Gump]

https://leger360.com/in-the-news-alber ... nd-leger/

The latest Leger poll indicates that “…most Albertans believe the province is headed in the wrong direction. Nearly six in ten Albertans believe the province is on the wrong track, while just over one-third feel it is headed in the right direction.” The poll indicates that healthcare and Separation are their primary concerns. Anyone examining healthcare in Alberta or Quebec would see that both systems are in virtual collapse despite what their governments say,

“While a large majority of Albertans say the province should remain part of Canada (71%), separatism has become a more prominent political issue. Nearly one in five residents (18%) supports the idea of Alberta becoming an independent country, while a small minority (5%) favour joining the United States.” Interesting that both Alberta and Quebec have failing healthcare systems and rising separation movements.

”Albertans’ assessment of the provincial government remains highly issue-specific. Approval ratings have improved in areas such as energy and pipelines, wildfire response, and taxation.
“However, the government continues to face strong disapproval on issues tied to everyday affordability and social well-being, including health care, housing affordability, homelessness, poverty, and the opioid crisis. This uneven performance suggests that electoral support does not necessarily translate into broad satisfaction with government action.

Seems that the conservative government of Alberta has exactly the same problems as the federal government in Ottawa. Something tells me that the separation movements have no solutions for those problems.

...most Albertans believe the province is headed in the wrong direction.
So there's nothing to be concerned about. This is now a nothing story. File it along with Quebec separation.

[T Bear]

Real. ^^ Nope, the judicially disallowed separatist petition came first, then Smith changed the rules, and started to complain about the judiciary system.

https://edmonton.citynews.ca/2025/12/16 ... ndum-vote/

And the latest on the latter,

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton ... -9.7079541

Thank you T-bear for adding clarity to the sequence of reducing the requirements for seeking a referendum to 177,000 signatures.

See also https://edmonton.citynews.ca/2025/12/0 ... uestions/

Corb Lund's initial petition was nuked by Smith's move too, but it's close to back on the rails now,

https://waternotcoal.ca/updates

Backstory,

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton ... -9.7064295

[T Bear]

Also, as I mentioned above, here's a partial rundown on her threat to withold funding and slow the judiciary system even more unless she gets her way on appointing judges,

https://calgary.citynews.ca/2026/02/07/ ... selection/

https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/ ... ing/393682

[T Bear]

Download Alberta's Project 2021,

"The Free Alberta Strategy,"

https://www.freealbertastrategy.com/the_strategy

[GoCanadago]

[T Bear]

Well I didn't vote for Nenshi as leader, yet Wyatt, "Stupidly assumed he would do better," too."

[liisgo]

https://leger360.com/in-the-news-alber ... nd-leger/

The latest Leger poll indicates that “…most Albertans believe the province is headed in the wrong direction.

Seems that the conservative government of Alberta has exactly the same problems as the federal government in Ottawa. Something tells me that the separation movements have no solutions for those problems.

So? If people clearly know the federal government is running us in the wrong direction and still vote for them with the endless record amounts of failures, canceled policies and unachieved mandates, clearly no one cares.
Especially liberals, but you have to admit, its those very same that support "the wrong direction" that are pretending its an issue with Alberta.

[nepal]

.
So, Alberta sold petroleum to US at a discount, and kept provincial royalties & taxes low for decades, so now why is it the Feds fault for Alberta not having enough money? It seems the money was largely squandered provincially, with the US being a large benefactor. Now Alberta wants to quit Canada, and join the US, with US supporting such move? Why is DS setting up Alberta to join US?

[seewood]

So, Alberta sold petroleum to US at a discount, and kept provincial royalties & taxes low for decades, so now why is it the Feds fault for Alberta not having enough money? It seems the money was largely squandered provincially, with the US being a large benefactor. Now Alberta wants to quit Canada, and join the US, with US supporting such move? Why is DS setting up Alberta to join US?

If Alberta has money problems, the fact they have been using oil royalties to pay for the operating of the Alberta government and that number may fluctuate, is on them. Yes, using royalties have kept taxes low and provided no sales tax to Albertans, which is a great election proclamation, but just maybe it might be time to consider a sales tax and then the royalties can be socked away for a rainy day, much like Norway has.

A PST is political suicide though...

[T Bear]

So, Alberta sold petroleum to US at a discount, and kept provincial royalties & taxes low for decades, so now why is it the Feds fault for Alberta not having enough money? It seems the money was largely squandered provincially, with the US being a large benefactor. Now Alberta wants to quit Canada, and join the US, with US supporting such move? Why is DS setting up Alberta to join US?

If Alberta has money problems, the fact they have been using oil royalties to pay for the operating of the Alberta government and that number may fluctuate, is on them. Yes, using royalties have kept taxes low and provided no sales tax to Albertans, which is a great election proclamation, but just maybe it might be time to consider a sales tax and then the royalties can be socked away for a rainy day, much like Norway has.

A PST is political suicide though...

Albert's Heritage Savings Trust Fund

https://www.alberta.ca/heritage-savings-trust-fund