Your essays on Canada and the information provided are very comprehensive and useful, particularly this one. It leaves me wondering who is trying to counter the separatist sentiments and what tools they are using. I would not trust Danielle Smith and her party to counter this movement. At some point, could you please comment on what you are aware of what messaging countering separatist propaganda is being done and by who. Your point about not belittling the sentiment is also important since I and many other Canadians discount the agitprop as driven by Americans.
As an immigrant to Alberta who later moved to and now lives in BC, I was immediately made aware of the grievance of Albertans on my arrival. As I see it, your facts are good but what really is at the bottom of this feeling of grievance is not so much the facts—thanks for giving the details—but the difference in attitude about this all, and about the fairness of confederation and transfer payments as its consequences. Most Albertans consider themselves millionaires in the making, Conservatives, desiring minimal government and adhere to rugged individualism in their lives, while the larger part of Canada is more socially oriented with sharing wealth and responsibility for each other as a more central focus. I guess that is, in a nutshell, the difference between the two categories of "have-nots" with the wealthy. The influence of the USA is not to be forgotten, and the MAGA attractions. I see the truckers' protest with the occupation of Ottawa as a metaphor for this Alberta-based anti-federation/separatist movement by superficial, unintelligent people.
We are living in an era of grievance politics. We can all feel aggrieved —even in Ontario. Yes there are jobs here and a great deal of conspicuous prosperity but average families and their children cannot afford to live here. Real estate and rent is so astronomical that people are spending in excess of 50% of their income on accommodations leaving little room for essentials like food. Our food banks are over subscribed and under supplied but the political monster finds it useful to isolate us in our regional grievances lest we organize and fight for things that all Canadians need like food and accommodations and access to stable employment with liveable wages. The separatists would have us believe that life would be better as a US adjunct??? Look at the US data. They are last in the G20 in many categories like access to education, healthcare, infant mortality, etc. First in mass shootings and gun violence, etc. when there were economic downturns in the west I saw many pickup trucks with Alberta plates at Toronto building sites. We need to embrace and look out for one another. If the National Energy program had persisted we might be sitting on a sizeable sovereign wealth cache to help all Canadians but it was left in the hands of successive premiers who gutted it. I would be wary of provincial premiers with shadowy agendas—including Ontario!
Yes people voting PC and Doug Ford just to pwn Trudeau despite the fact he is gone. Living in Ontario under Ford has been a massive problem for me and the family. People need to learn that Canada is not America and things in the US do not always apply up here
Your analysis is sound, especially when you conclude:
"Engagement and understanding are more useful than condescension. Canada’s future depends on people doing the uncomfortable work of asking harder questions, listening past the rhetoric in a complicated country."
Like any family, there are differences. It's what makes life interesting. It's what makes our Canadian family unique, multi-faceted, and clearly worth working to preserve.
It is not mature to demand "your way or the highway", or if you don't get to make the rules of the game you grab the ball and leave the playground. 🍼
Alberta has some growing up to do. I remember when they were nothing but cattle and cowboys. Canadian taxpayers paid to develop that province. We all chipped in. We all benefit.
Why? Because in a country, as in a family, each room of the house, each person, contributes to the whole. Canada benefitted by helping Alberta grow into its potential. Maybe it's payback time.
Now, like a rebellious teenager who spends too much time on screens getting influenced by social media and other negative sources, Alberta threatens to leave. They make selfish and unreasonable demands of the other family members and warn that they're packing their bags.
Irony. They can't just leave like a moody teen can go to a friend's house for a few weeks, less or longer.
That's what makes this even more immature.
Every province has experienced its growing pains. And will continue to have its differences. News Flash to Alberta: you're not the only kid in the family.
There will always be conflicts and opposing opinions. That's life. You don't blow up the family to get your own way.
Mature members discuss, compromise, and collaborate to find a workable concensus.
It's just not rational in any sense of the word to expect to have everything you want, disregarding the needs of the whole. The words for that kind of demanding behaviour are greedy and selfish.
As for threatening to blow up the whole family to get its own way! Seems like Alberta needs a time-out in the Naughty Chair. 🤔
I have had this conversation many times, with Albertans who believe they are ignored.
NB was part of Canada on its first day. At the time, NB manufacturing and shipbuilding along with other industries made the province wealthy. After confederation, one by one, the majority of our industries were moved to central Canada and what was left in its wake was a poor province, with a small population of mostly older people who take more from the system than they give. Young people leave to earn their wages in other more prosperous locales, and then they come home to NB to retire. This has destroyed all prosperity, leaving only seasonal work for the majority of NBers. NB is the forgotten province in Canada, this province is poorer than Alabama and I am not complaining. We lost everything when we joined something bigger, and now this province is the poorest area between Canada and the US. If anyone had reason to complain it would be NB. The same NB that provides the workers that made Alberta rich, the same retirees who come home and add pressure to our NB system which reduces the services for those of us who stayed to help build this province. I challenge every separatist in Alberta to come to NB, try to get a decent paying job, buy a home, or just try to live, then they will know what being completely ignored looks and feels like. Until then, I can't treat seppies as serious, they aren't, they are just loud criers, nothing more!
Yes I know and I wish they would just pack up and go. The seppies are a small portion of Albertans and it sickens me when I hear people trash talking the entire province for a fringe of know nothing malcontents who will never be happy under any circumstance. They are not all of Albertans, the seppies are just the stupid noisy ones!
This is an excellent, factual description of where we ( Canada / Alberta ) are. And, as you correctly point out, feelings matter. Perception is reality. This situation cannot be brushed aside by any of us.
This is a fair appraisal of the situation. Alberta, unquestionably, should not separate: she is one of the core elements of Canada. Both Alberta and Canada would be poorer for it, and the movement towards secession does nothing for either. Yet, the core issue remains. That issue is the production of energy resources.
Yes, the production of energy resources IS a core issue. But more importantly, what happens when the resources no longer exist? They are finite and will eventually run out. And what happens in Alberta if more Canadians start to implement alternative energy sources to better address our current abysmal status on dealing with climate change and our original agreements globally to address Canadian contributions to the problem? Nowadays, it's so trendy to think about short-term solutions, me now, and not deal with long-term strategies which requires setting aside the "me now" mindset. As CR notes, these are not easy discussions to have and not easy strategies to implement. But saying you don't want to play anymore because "the coach" doesn't always choose you to pitch every game is not the way to be. But I'm an idealist and keep hoping that people will choose more empathic and compassionate ways of being. And keep hoping, and hoping, and hoping.....
I agree. But let’s keep hoping together and with facts and figures and dialogue this too will pass. It’s important not to be dismissive but to engage with all Canadians until the day there is a stronger sense of national unity. I’m not going to let them (them being all those that would wreck the lives of others for personal gain) lie their way through the process but with objective facts turn things around. Maybe I’m just too much of an idealist also but hope is a good thing.
Your essays on Canada and the information provided are very comprehensive and useful, particularly this one. It leaves me wondering who is trying to counter the separatist sentiments and what tools they are using. I would not trust Danielle Smith and her party to counter this movement. At some point, could you please comment on what you are aware of what messaging countering separatist propaganda is being done and by who. Your point about not belittling the sentiment is also important since I and many other Canadians discount the agitprop as driven by Americans.
I'm only aware of the Forever Canada movement and some federal politicians speaking out against separatism
I so appreciate your lessons in Canadian history and current times. Thank you ☺️💜
Thank you again for reading and appreciate your support!
Nail head hit!
Yes!
As an immigrant to Alberta who later moved to and now lives in BC, I was immediately made aware of the grievance of Albertans on my arrival. As I see it, your facts are good but what really is at the bottom of this feeling of grievance is not so much the facts—thanks for giving the details—but the difference in attitude about this all, and about the fairness of confederation and transfer payments as its consequences. Most Albertans consider themselves millionaires in the making, Conservatives, desiring minimal government and adhere to rugged individualism in their lives, while the larger part of Canada is more socially oriented with sharing wealth and responsibility for each other as a more central focus. I guess that is, in a nutshell, the difference between the two categories of "have-nots" with the wealthy. The influence of the USA is not to be forgotten, and the MAGA attractions. I see the truckers' protest with the occupation of Ottawa as a metaphor for this Alberta-based anti-federation/separatist movement by superficial, unintelligent people.
Yes basically wannabe-Americans
Thank you. Great read!
We are living in an era of grievance politics. We can all feel aggrieved —even in Ontario. Yes there are jobs here and a great deal of conspicuous prosperity but average families and their children cannot afford to live here. Real estate and rent is so astronomical that people are spending in excess of 50% of their income on accommodations leaving little room for essentials like food. Our food banks are over subscribed and under supplied but the political monster finds it useful to isolate us in our regional grievances lest we organize and fight for things that all Canadians need like food and accommodations and access to stable employment with liveable wages. The separatists would have us believe that life would be better as a US adjunct??? Look at the US data. They are last in the G20 in many categories like access to education, healthcare, infant mortality, etc. First in mass shootings and gun violence, etc. when there were economic downturns in the west I saw many pickup trucks with Alberta plates at Toronto building sites. We need to embrace and look out for one another. If the National Energy program had persisted we might be sitting on a sizeable sovereign wealth cache to help all Canadians but it was left in the hands of successive premiers who gutted it. I would be wary of provincial premiers with shadowy agendas—including Ontario!
Yes people voting PC and Doug Ford just to pwn Trudeau despite the fact he is gone. Living in Ontario under Ford has been a massive problem for me and the family. People need to learn that Canada is not America and things in the US do not always apply up here
Thanks for
The talking points. It is crucially important to respectfully acknowledge the reality of feelings while anchoring our discussions in facts.
Yes reality cannot be avoided
Spreading untruths about Canaad is exactly what conservatives do. Their aim is to "BREK" Canada. They've said si again and again.
They want to pwn the libs
Your analysis is sound, especially when you conclude:
"Engagement and understanding are more useful than condescension. Canada’s future depends on people doing the uncomfortable work of asking harder questions, listening past the rhetoric in a complicated country."
Like any family, there are differences. It's what makes life interesting. It's what makes our Canadian family unique, multi-faceted, and clearly worth working to preserve.
It is not mature to demand "your way or the highway", or if you don't get to make the rules of the game you grab the ball and leave the playground. 🍼
Alberta has some growing up to do. I remember when they were nothing but cattle and cowboys. Canadian taxpayers paid to develop that province. We all chipped in. We all benefit.
Why? Because in a country, as in a family, each room of the house, each person, contributes to the whole. Canada benefitted by helping Alberta grow into its potential. Maybe it's payback time.
Now, like a rebellious teenager who spends too much time on screens getting influenced by social media and other negative sources, Alberta threatens to leave. They make selfish and unreasonable demands of the other family members and warn that they're packing their bags.
Irony. They can't just leave like a moody teen can go to a friend's house for a few weeks, less or longer.
That's what makes this even more immature.
Every province has experienced its growing pains. And will continue to have its differences. News Flash to Alberta: you're not the only kid in the family.
There will always be conflicts and opposing opinions. That's life. You don't blow up the family to get your own way.
Mature members discuss, compromise, and collaborate to find a workable concensus.
It's just not rational in any sense of the word to expect to have everything you want, disregarding the needs of the whole. The words for that kind of demanding behaviour are greedy and selfish.
As for threatening to blow up the whole family to get its own way! Seems like Alberta needs a time-out in the Naughty Chair. 🤔
❤️🇨🇦
Real conversations are needed then go from there. People too used to Twitter discussions and yelling like children these days…
I have had this conversation many times, with Albertans who believe they are ignored.
NB was part of Canada on its first day. At the time, NB manufacturing and shipbuilding along with other industries made the province wealthy. After confederation, one by one, the majority of our industries were moved to central Canada and what was left in its wake was a poor province, with a small population of mostly older people who take more from the system than they give. Young people leave to earn their wages in other more prosperous locales, and then they come home to NB to retire. This has destroyed all prosperity, leaving only seasonal work for the majority of NBers. NB is the forgotten province in Canada, this province is poorer than Alabama and I am not complaining. We lost everything when we joined something bigger, and now this province is the poorest area between Canada and the US. If anyone had reason to complain it would be NB. The same NB that provides the workers that made Alberta rich, the same retirees who come home and add pressure to our NB system which reduces the services for those of us who stayed to help build this province. I challenge every separatist in Alberta to come to NB, try to get a decent paying job, buy a home, or just try to live, then they will know what being completely ignored looks and feels like. Until then, I can't treat seppies as serious, they aren't, they are just loud criers, nothing more!
They prefer to move to the USA but do not know how immigration laws work.
Yes I know and I wish they would just pack up and go. The seppies are a small portion of Albertans and it sickens me when I hear people trash talking the entire province for a fringe of know nothing malcontents who will never be happy under any circumstance. They are not all of Albertans, the seppies are just the stupid noisy ones!
Yes and what is why they are being backed by Russia and America
I believe with every fiber of my being that these people are traitors and should be investigated, charged, tried, convicted, and exiled!
Yes wannabe Americans are a liability
This is an excellent, factual description of where we ( Canada / Alberta ) are. And, as you correctly point out, feelings matter. Perception is reality. This situation cannot be brushed aside by any of us.
People are playing into American and Russian interests with separatism
This is a fair appraisal of the situation. Alberta, unquestionably, should not separate: she is one of the core elements of Canada. Both Alberta and Canada would be poorer for it, and the movement towards secession does nothing for either. Yet, the core issue remains. That issue is the production of energy resources.
Yes, the production of energy resources IS a core issue. But more importantly, what happens when the resources no longer exist? They are finite and will eventually run out. And what happens in Alberta if more Canadians start to implement alternative energy sources to better address our current abysmal status on dealing with climate change and our original agreements globally to address Canadian contributions to the problem? Nowadays, it's so trendy to think about short-term solutions, me now, and not deal with long-term strategies which requires setting aside the "me now" mindset. As CR notes, these are not easy discussions to have and not easy strategies to implement. But saying you don't want to play anymore because "the coach" doesn't always choose you to pitch every game is not the way to be. But I'm an idealist and keep hoping that people will choose more empathic and compassionate ways of being. And keep hoping, and hoping, and hoping.....
I agree. But let’s keep hoping together and with facts and figures and dialogue this too will pass. It’s important not to be dismissive but to engage with all Canadians until the day there is a stronger sense of national unity. I’m not going to let them (them being all those that would wreck the lives of others for personal gain) lie their way through the process but with objective facts turn things around. Maybe I’m just too much of an idealist also but hope is a good thing.
I agree
Which movement?
Separatism
The movement is not grounded on reality