I’m at the Boot Scootin’ Boogie Dancehall for the first post federal election Edmonton WEXIT rally. I’m not good at counting crowds but I’d say there’s at least 150 people here. Even officially starts at 4 pm 
Peter Downing is the leader of Wexit. He says the movement is about economic liberty, social stability and western sovereignty. He says an independent Alberta will be the best place to live on Earth.
Some of the merchandise for future Republic of Alberta #Wexit
The venue is packed. There are hundreds of people here. People I’ve spoken with are very angry about the state of Canada but also seem invigorated and encouraged by the #wexit movement
We’re hearing from a speaker who says she moved to Canada from communist Czechoslovakia to escape socialism. She says she’s now disappointed to live under what she sees as creeping socialism in Canada. #wexit
She is educating Alberta about socialism and the modes of production. “Don’t forget the NDP” an attendee says #wexit
We are still hearing about socialism and its effects on society. Speaker says socialist governments use the media to control people. Crowd erupts in cheers and jeers of “CBC!!” No mention of the Red Star.
This event is quite well organized. Downing has made media passes for reporters, there is security funnelling people in and guarding the door and much merchandise for sale. People are handing out Elections Canada registration forms #wexit
We are now hearing from Craig Chandler, who played some role in getting Earl’s to switch back to Alberta beef. He is speaking of the importance of letting businesses do their thing without government interference
Hearing from Ambrose whose last name I did not catch, an “oil guy”, businessman and veteran. He’s speaking of a video of his where he tore down a Canadian flag that went viral. “I swore to protect that flag. But there is a time it has to come down. It’s time.” #wexit
He says he’s a proud roughneck (for non-Albertans, that is an actual job title on oil rigs)
Ambrose is getting a lot of applause. He says everything his family has is because of Alberta oil and gas. The entire room erupted into cheers #wexit
Ambrose is speaking about Jason Kenney and that he’s let down Albertans.
“He was supposed to be our Ralph Klein.”
“No one can be Ralph Klein!” A member of the crowd says
“He was supposed to be our Ralph Klein.”
“No one can be Ralph Klein!” A member of the crowd says
Ambrose is talking about how Trudeau, Kenney and Harper all betrayed Alberta in various ways. Someone in crowd screams “what’s your actual plan? We want to hear a plan.” Ambrose continues saying it’s time to seize the moment, but not how. #wexit
This crowd is quite interactive.
Peter Downing is up. He asks people to shout where they’re from - people say Cold Lake, Calgary, Lloydminster, Edson. “The Republic of Western Canada!” One man shouts. Downing defends the term redneck. He says he has a plan. #wexit
He says to all the Albertans who are hurting and out of work, he feels your pain. Downing asks the crowd to give a moment of silence for Albertans who have taken their own lives as a result of economic uncertainty.
Lots to unpack here. Downing wants to scrap the Indian act. “We don’t have a black or Muslim act so why do we have an Indian act?” Hmm. He says improving the living conditions of Indigenous peoples in Alberta would be a major priority
He takes his obligatory Trudeau shots. Eastern Canada wants to be taken care of off the backs of Albertans’ hard work, he says. Downing is good at getting the crowd excited.
Downing likes to say he’s frequently accused of leading a far right party, but then goes to say while he has a strong right hook, he also knows how to throw a good left jab.
He then, inexplicably, says we’re going to start treating politics like football and hockey. I guess that means to win? He extols how Alberta is rat free - “next we’re gonna make it leash free by cutting eastern Canada off.” #wexit
Downing says Premier Kenney has a choice - hold a referendum and become president of Alberta or get voted out. I asked Downing earlier if he’d be run for president/prime minister/leader of an Alberta republic - he said whatever the people want.
I just interviewed a guy outside of the venue with a “Canada is a myth” hat who was going on about the Bilderbergs and I am getting yellow vest flashbacks. #wexit
So tonight was interesting. I’m told the venue exceeded capacity, roughly 750 people in attendance. Overall, the anger, frustration and thirst for change are very real. But right now, the movement seems to be mostly about the feels. #wexit
I’ll have a short news hit on the rally for ya’ll shortly. And then something else, at some point soon.
As I wait for my story to go through editing I’m reading this pamphlet from the Canada is a Myth guys and hoooo bud is it ever something. Yes, they have a “Travelling Truth tour”.
I will say this event felt far less fringy and weird than some yellow vest rallies I've attended. Mostly just older angry Albertans. But there were some young folks in the crowd.
OK - I wrote a short thing about the Wexit rally tonight. This just skims the surface and not the Wexit story I want to write, though. Stay tuned. thestar.com/edmonton/2019/…
I once tweeted that any story about Wexit that mentions Peter Downing should also include that he's a pizzagate believer. I'm a man of my word.
