An Alberta gentleman, on a related substack subject, indicated that Americans had moved into Alberta in the early 20th century during a period od uncontrolled
Oops, last sentence should be uncontrolled migration. I was unaware of this and will have to do a deeper dive into Alberta history. I would have hoped the change of perspectives from the original American settlers would have morphed into a more Canadian perspective. Hence, some Albertans’ strong opposition to firearms controls and interference from Ottawa. Obviously, this hasn’t happened. I oppose extreme viewpoints some Alberta separatists advocate but at least now I understand where their perspectives come from.
Yes, I had learned about that a few years back during my researches on Canada's early years. That made me understand better Alberta's rogue individualist nature.
In BC, during the goldrush days the gov't had to lay down the law in trying to curb the american gold hunter's gun toting aggressive ways when they threatened the peace in many local communities.
Exactly! How the rest of Canada approaches the subject will be important. I cited a previous substack and one other Albertan - not a gentleman - expressed rage at our other nine provinces and territories and wished for the 51st state option. He was not of the persuasion to have an informed discussion with.
Yes. I wonder if Preston Manning’s heritage has American roots. Smith, I am certainly no expert of western Canadian politics, appears to mimic his political style.
Quebec tried separation twice and will try again if the PQ is elected next. There were enough people to resist then but how many will now with social media fuelling the hatred towards the federal government? Canadian unity is very much on my mind these days but things could change in Alberta since Trump invaded Venezuela. Our crude oil will not be so much in demand anymore and with China continuing its direction of electrifying and renewables, it won’t be long before Alberta will be stuck with low demand for their oil. That will change how they align with Canada…
Venezuela's crude is a heavy oil that can be refined in Texas, similar to Alberta's. If Alberta makes any claim that it is their own sovereign oil, then goodbye Alberta.
Of course they do. Why not let the Canadian tax payers foot the bills while having zero influence or power in those provinces. They are either Canadian or they aren't. It is my opinion that tax payer money is ours, meaning no one province gets to use it while ignoring the laws of Canada. It's like using tax payer money to fund private school, if these are not open to everyone, they have no entitlement to tax payer money.
The Quebec situation seems to me to be as close to sovereign as they can get. Their own pension plan, their own language laws, their different views on religious clothing, their own political parties in the house of commons.
I've always disagreed with regional parties in the federal government. I believe if they can't field a candidate in every riding, they are not a federal party. The Bloq fits this and therefore should not be treated as a federal party!
Smith's diplomatic push with U.S. media and officials delayed tariffs on most Canadian goods for months, keeping rates at zero despite threats. Alberta.ca records her Legislative Assembly statement from March 2025, where she detailed lobbying Republicans and asking for a pause until after Canada's federal election. This shows provinces can engage externally without crossing sovereignty lines, but how far should they go before federal diplomacy takes over?
To my knowledge there is no evidence of cause and effect with respect to Smith getting tariffs delayed. Notwithstanding, doing this in an uncoordinated way undermines our larger interests, and even if it did cause a valued delay - it was off base - there were certainly other dynamics at play. I note that non-partisan analysis of events, that note the delay, typically does not mention her “work.”
Fair point - multiple factors were at play, including USMCA compliance concerns and U.S. industry pushback. Alberta's March 25 Legislative Assembly record shows Smith highlighting her lobbying of Republicans as part of a "Team Canada" effort with other premiers that secured four tariff-free months. Still, federal coordination likely amplified provincial voices.
An Alberta gentleman, on a related substack subject, indicated that Americans had moved into Alberta in the early 20th century during a period od uncontrolled
Oops, last sentence should be uncontrolled migration. I was unaware of this and will have to do a deeper dive into Alberta history. I would have hoped the change of perspectives from the original American settlers would have morphed into a more Canadian perspective. Hence, some Albertans’ strong opposition to firearms controls and interference from Ottawa. Obviously, this hasn’t happened. I oppose extreme viewpoints some Alberta separatists advocate but at least now I understand where their perspectives come from.
Yes, I had learned about that a few years back during my researches on Canada's early years. That made me understand better Alberta's rogue individualist nature.
In BC, during the goldrush days the gov't had to lay down the law in trying to curb the american gold hunter's gun toting aggressive ways when they threatened the peace in many local communities.
Yes but Albertans need to remind themselves they are in Canada not the USA
Exactly! How the rest of Canada approaches the subject will be important. I cited a previous substack and one other Albertan - not a gentleman - expressed rage at our other nine provinces and territories and wished for the 51st state option. He was not of the persuasion to have an informed discussion with.
Yes they are but most committed to Canada
Danielle Smith claims to trace part of her ancestry to Americans from that frontier era
Yes. I wonder if Preston Manning’s heritage has American roots. Smith, I am certainly no expert of western Canadian politics, appears to mimic his political style.
Quebec tried separation twice and will try again if the PQ is elected next. There were enough people to resist then but how many will now with social media fuelling the hatred towards the federal government? Canadian unity is very much on my mind these days but things could change in Alberta since Trump invaded Venezuela. Our crude oil will not be so much in demand anymore and with China continuing its direction of electrifying and renewables, it won’t be long before Alberta will be stuck with low demand for their oil. That will change how they align with Canada…
Venezuela's crude is a heavy oil that can be refined in Texas, similar to Alberta's. If Alberta makes any claim that it is their own sovereign oil, then goodbye Alberta.
I hope Albertans are smart enough to show up and vote against separation, given the low turnout in recent elections
Of course they do. Why not let the Canadian tax payers foot the bills while having zero influence or power in those provinces. They are either Canadian or they aren't. It is my opinion that tax payer money is ours, meaning no one province gets to use it while ignoring the laws of Canada. It's like using tax payer money to fund private school, if these are not open to everyone, they have no entitlement to tax payer money.
The Quebec situation seems to me to be as close to sovereign as they can get. Their own pension plan, their own language laws, their different views on religious clothing, their own political parties in the house of commons.
Have they ratified our Constitution yet?
I've always disagreed with regional parties in the federal government. I believe if they can't field a candidate in every riding, they are not a federal party. The Bloq fits this and therefore should not be treated as a federal party!
Yes, the famous “Souveraineté-Association” project…..
Smith's diplomatic push with U.S. media and officials delayed tariffs on most Canadian goods for months, keeping rates at zero despite threats. Alberta.ca records her Legislative Assembly statement from March 2025, where she detailed lobbying Republicans and asking for a pause until after Canada's federal election. This shows provinces can engage externally without crossing sovereignty lines, but how far should they go before federal diplomacy takes over?
To my knowledge there is no evidence of cause and effect with respect to Smith getting tariffs delayed. Notwithstanding, doing this in an uncoordinated way undermines our larger interests, and even if it did cause a valued delay - it was off base - there were certainly other dynamics at play. I note that non-partisan analysis of events, that note the delay, typically does not mention her “work.”
She was involved when provincial interests were threatened
Fair point - multiple factors were at play, including USMCA compliance concerns and U.S. industry pushback. Alberta's March 25 Legislative Assembly record shows Smith highlighting her lobbying of Republicans as part of a "Team Canada" effort with other premiers that secured four tariff-free months. Still, federal coordination likely amplified provincial voices.
They did not properly manage their provincial finances and believe being American is the way to go. It is not going to end well