Buckle up, kiddos. The first "fair deal" panel is kicking off in the basement of a hall in Edmonton. Some 150 here, give or take. The panellists just took their seats and we're ready to rock 'n' roll. Mute this thread if you don't like good tweets.
I will tweet until my electronics die. Living on the dangerous side.
Oryssia Lennie, the panel chair, thanks everyone for taking the time to come. "We know that some of you are here ... to share your stories, others may be here just to listen, and that is fine."
Oryssia Lennie, the panel chair, thanks everyone for taking the time to come. "We know that some of you are here ... to share your stories, others may be here just to listen, and that is fine."
This comes just hours after a credit downgrade from Moody's and 24 hours after unionists met to talk about a general strike.
"Even many Albertans who wholeheartedly want to remain in Canada want to see some significant reforms," Lennie says.
"This evening is not the time to discuss the budget," she says.
"This evening is not the time to discuss the budget," she says.
"We're hear to listen to how Alberta's present position has impacted your daily life," she says.
There are nine ideas they'll be talking about tonight. If they sound familiar that's because they're mostly the same things laid out in the firewall letter in January 2001. Ralph Klein's government had previously studied, and rejected, these ideas.
Here's the government of Alberta website with the info on what they're gonna be tlaking about.
alberta.ca/fair-deal-pane…
alberta.ca/fair-deal-pane…
Truly I am living my best life
Btw, should any of these ideas go ahead, I believe they'll be dealt with via referendum.
Panel members cannot comment on the merits of ideas or policies. "Our job is to listen first," Lennie says. "We wont' pre-judge the outcome of this really important engagement process."
Panel members cannot comment on the merits of ideas or policies. "Our job is to listen first," Lennie says. "We wont' pre-judge the outcome of this really important engagement process."
Polite clappos for Preston Manning and the other panel members as they're introduced.
There is no hooting and hollering so far among this crowd, which is mostly middle-aged and overwhelmingly caucasian, from what I can see.
There is no hooting and hollering so far among this crowd, which is mostly middle-aged and overwhelmingly caucasian, from what I can see.
The millennials, naturally, are all at home with their dogs not children and eating avocado toast, I assume.
We're now learning where the bathrooms are.
"Just past that door at the exit sign over there." Not useful to Twitter, but this IS A LIVE TWEETING AFTER ALL
Do you think Alberta's getting a fair deal?
What would a fair deal look like?
What should the province do to get a fair deal?
These are the questions speakers — who'll get 2 minutes apiece — can address.
What would a fair deal look like?
What should the province do to get a fair deal?
These are the questions speakers — who'll get 2 minutes apiece — can address.
Ground rules: "We're here to listen and share, this is your chance to share your experience with the panel."
This is not a debate, the moderator says.
"We're all polite Albertans but respect and courtesy are paramount."
This is not a debate, the moderator says.
"We're all polite Albertans but respect and courtesy are paramount."
If you behave like a jackass, there will be a break and they will "address the situation."
Moderator lets everyone know the media is here and we'll broadcast what you say. BEWARE!
On to the speakers.
Speaker one is coming to the microphone.
Speaker one is coming to the microphone.
First dude is from Quebec. People shout that they can't hear him.
Says he lived through the FLQ and the referenda. Worked for the yes side — he was pro separation in Quebec.
Says he lived through the FLQ and the referenda. Worked for the yes side — he was pro separation in Quebec.
"I consider myself an Albertan," he says. "When I look at the last couple of decades, yeah, I think we are not really getting a fair deal."
"I think we need to do something to get a better deal."
Says it looks like what Quebec has.
"I think we need to do something to get a better deal."
Says it looks like what Quebec has.
"Stand up, and organize ourselves and speak up."
Says it took threats of separation for Quebecers to get what they have meow. "I don't think separation should be on the table now, however, why not have it kinda, not a threat ... but yeah, just kinda reform, or we'll move."
Says it took threats of separation for Quebecers to get what they have meow. "I don't think separation should be on the table now, however, why not have it kinda, not a threat ... but yeah, just kinda reform, or we'll move."
This gets a couple giggles and claps from the room.
Speaker two: "Good evening fellow panellists, but a bigger hello to all of you fellow Albertans."
There are claps.
"Canada is broken," he declares. "The confederation of provinces is no longer existent, it is now a federation of regions."
There are claps.
"Canada is broken," he declares. "The confederation of provinces is no longer existent, it is now a federation of regions."
"How can we expect a fair deal from Ottawa, ladies and gentlemen, when we have that in balance."
"We'll never get a fair deal from Ottawa," he says.
"We'll never get a fair deal from Ottawa," he says.
"No, there is no fair deal to be obtained, as long as the governments ... keep giving away the money, the hard-earned tax money that we Albertans and Canadians have had to pay in taxes."
Says his "Christmas present" would be a referendum on separation.
I think there were boos? Hard to tell if they were saying woo or boo.
(Definitely not boourns.)
I think there were boos? Hard to tell if they were saying woo or boo.
(Definitely not boourns.)
Next speaker acknowledges we're on Treaty 6 territory. Some applause for that.
Says nobody thinks their province is getting a fair deal.
A fair deal doesn't look like the nine points. They don't address the underlying issue that is driving anger.
Says nobody thinks their province is getting a fair deal.
A fair deal doesn't look like the nine points. They don't address the underlying issue that is driving anger.
He says we have "some of the lowest carbon oil in the world" — this is not exactly true — and says we want more control over our economic development.
"We need to, in order to get anything done in the 21st century, we need to collaborate more, we need to negotiate better and we need to work with the rest of the provinces," this speaker says.
Fourth speaker is up.
He's a "born and bred Albertan."
"I think that we're on the wrong track here. i think this talk about a far deal is stirring up things that don't make sense to me."
This gets biggish applause.
He's a "born and bred Albertan."
"I think that we're on the wrong track here. i think this talk about a far deal is stirring up things that don't make sense to me."
This gets biggish applause.
"I have been in every province and territory at least three times," he says.
Newfoundlanders aren't trying to get a fair deal. "They're trying to come to Alberta and get work," he says. That gets applause.
Newfoundlanders aren't trying to get a fair deal. "They're trying to come to Alberta and get work," he says. That gets applause.
Warns against tax points vs. cash transfers.
YUP says someone as he warns it's a way around the Canada Health Act.
"Woo!" say two people as he warns against an APP.
YUP says someone as he warns it's a way around the Canada Health Act.
"Woo!" say two people as he warns against an APP.
"We've all seen what happens when bad leadership causes toxic culture in police forces," he says re: policing.
Time runs out.
This chappo gets cheers.
Time runs out.
This chappo gets cheers.
Next group of speakers are moving up. Looks like there's a gal in this lineup.
Fellow has driven in from Stoney Plain. "I would prefer that you keep your hands off my CPP," he says.
"I wouldn't trust the UCP government with the proceeds from a bingo," he says.
Good lols.
"I wouldn't trust the UCP government with the proceeds from a bingo," he says.
Good lols.
"Keep Alberta in Confederation and make it work."
This gets claps and cheers.
THIS IS NOT THE WAY I THOUGHT TONIGHT WAS GONNA GO, WHERE ARE MY FURIOUS SEPARATISTS I'M GOING TO HAVE TO REWRITE MY STORY SO FAR
This gets claps and cheers.
THIS IS NOT THE WAY I THOUGHT TONIGHT WAS GONNA GO, WHERE ARE MY FURIOUS SEPARATISTS I'M GOING TO HAVE TO REWRITE MY STORY SO FAR
First woman is speaking: She's talking about Bill C-69 and C-48 — pipelines 'n' oil tankers — and ... is saying these are not good for the industry, come from Catherine McKenna. "I would ask the panel to ask the member 'how could you?'"
"Justin Trudeau said choose forward ... in our Alberta economy this is choosing backwards."
Wants Trudeau asked "how could you?"
"Alberta needs to get our product to tidewater."
Wants Trudeau asked "how could you?"
"Alberta needs to get our product to tidewater."
She's talking about constitutional amendments now. Unsure what's going on here tbqh.
She gets good applause but I'm mystified as to what the argument really was.
Speaker seven is up: "I'm a Canadian taxpayer," he says. Resident of Alberta for his whole life. "Alberta's government has the constitutional right to tax incomes and properties in Alberta, and Canada has no right to penalize us for low taxation."
(Oh, it's about equalization.)
(Oh, it's about equalization.)
He's going through the parts of S. 36 of the constitution, which spell out some of the points of equalization.
"In fact it's not about the equalization fo services at all, we've been doing this now for 60 years ... in 60 years I would think it would have succeeded at meeting most of its objectives or it has failed."
Chuckles when he says it should be scrapped if it's failed.
Speaker eight is up. Say that 10x fast.
Says his mom was a refugee and he's an immigrant.
Says his mom was a refugee and he's an immigrant.
His grandparents are back in Poland, he helps take care of them, he says.
"I think it's a disaster," he says, re: the CPP.
I think he's arguing that CPP "is a slush fund for Ottawa's tomfoolery," and that AimCo would be better. "Alberta is the only non-grey province in the entire confederation," he says.
"We're becoming top heavy on our demographics. Young Albertans ... are going to be burdened under the CPP to pay for everyone else's retirement."
Also says he wants to get rid of the Indian Act.
A young person, relatively speaking, is up now.
"We're not talking about what we owe each other," he says.
His husband is a welder and electrician.
His husband is a welder and electrician.
I'm admittedly confused about his point.
Talking about getting help to transition off fossil fuels. This gets applause.
THIS CROWD IS CONFUSING
Talking about getting help to transition off fossil fuels. This gets applause.
THIS CROWD IS CONFUSING
Says he's concerned the panel is manipulative. Big claps when he says MacKinnon overlooked revenue.
The public, via this process, is "being asked to give cover," to the government, he says
The public, via this process, is "being asked to give cover," to the government, he says
Next person: Changes needed. Obstacle is the indifference of government. "Westerners seek major changes on both the attitudinal and institutional front."
"How long can a large bloc of Canadians continue to feel alienated? .. the question is not rhetorical."
"The west wants changes and insists on being heard."
"The west wants changes and insists on being heard."
Shoutout to David Kilgour's Uneasy Patriots. Says the panel should read it. Preston Manning is shaking his head lol
Not much by way of suggestions here. "Thanks so much for the opportunity" he says
That chappie was a former MLA, btw.
Speaker 11 is up: "I grew up in Ontario."
Been ehre since 1975, though. "Canada is changing and it's becoming a country that I'm not as comfortable I'm with because it does not reflect my own personal values and priorities."
Been ehre since 1975, though. "Canada is changing and it's becoming a country that I'm not as comfortable I'm with because it does not reflect my own personal values and priorities."
"I am really hopeful that the leaders of our nation can work together to secure a fair deal for all parts of the country. The way it is now is really discouraging, it seems to be happening all over the western world, it's this, bashing each other and .."
"... I hope that cooler heads cna prevail .."
Shoutout to Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged.
Chuckles from the crowd.
Chuckles from the crowd.
Now talking abotu Colorado? I think this is in Atlas Shrugged idk.
"this is what i see as going on in Canada today. It's not fair."
"this is what i see as going on in Canada today. It's not fair."
Aha! I'm not great with names tonight.
Speaker 12: "I really believe that people don't understand how Canada works."
lmao hot damn this could not be more true.
lmao hot damn this could not be more true.
"I believe that education for Alberta and educating the rest of Canada to realize how, you know, a lot of provinces are really taken advantage of and they're not like the Maritimes, they could maybe be doing a lot better for themselves."
"Sixty per cent of Alberta was born outside this province. Alberta is the most Canadian province in Canada."
"We're very proud but Alberta should be the one driving a fairer deal for everyone."
"We're very proud but Alberta should be the one driving a fairer deal for everyone."
Speaker 13: Fathers of Confederation "wanted representation by population," he says.
Wants a revision of the formula that gives 16 seats per province and territory and then the rest of the seats could be done by population.
Forces acocuntability he says b/c all parties cater to ONtario and QUebec.
Forces acocuntability he says b/c all parties cater to ONtario and QUebec.
Holy typos batman.
"Everyone would be more equally represented," he says.
Speaker 14 is up. (I feel like I'm somehow missing people?)
This chap has lived in Alberta for 30 years, but also in Quebec and Ontario. Thanks le panel.
"I believe that Alberta's getting a perfectly fair deal from the federation."
Laughs, but also some claps.
This chap has lived in Alberta for 30 years, but also in Quebec and Ontario. Thanks le panel.
"I believe that Alberta's getting a perfectly fair deal from the federation."
Laughs, but also some claps.
"Edmonton did not vote for this government."
Booo say some people, but also some claps.
"There is no more representation of Edmonton in the current provincial government than there is of Alberta in the current federal government.
Booo say some people, but also some claps.
"There is no more representation of Edmonton in the current provincial government than there is of Alberta in the current federal government.
Specifically taking issue with the municipalities getting consent of the province before agreements with feds.
Wants cities to have more, not less power, in relation to the provinces.
(This is an objectively great idea. Let cities level income/sales taxes and SO MANY PROBLEMS go away)
(This is an objectively great idea. Let cities level income/sales taxes and SO MANY PROBLEMS go away)
Speaker 15 has bailed.
Time for a break.
Time for a break.
A local Edmonton councillor weighs in on my good tweet.
I can honestly say I'm surprised and impressed by the relative diversity of views in here. I had really figured exclusively UCP partisans would've given up their night for a thing like this, but that doesn't at all seem to be the case.
Should be back at it in about five minutes
Should be back at it in about five minutes
44 per cent battery on the cellphone telephone.
67 per cent battery on my aged laptop.
Truly, living on the edge with an hour left to go in this thing.
67 per cent battery on my aged laptop.
Truly, living on the edge with an hour left to go in this thing.
43 per cent oh god.
*extremely Archer voice*
"danger zone"
"danger zone"
Moderator is herding them back to their seats. Preston Manning is talking with a chap in a cowboy hat.
Just, y'know, importing some colour from the room.
Moderator thanks everyone for being respectful (which, more or less true.)
Claps from the crowd.
Claps from the crowd.
"Let's try to keep the boos down, if we can."
Can't disagree with this, although I must admit a 200-person-strong brawl would improve my story immeasurably.
Speaker 16 has also bailed.
Speaker 17, will you come forward?
Speaker 17, will you come forward?
This speaker, the first person of colour and second woman, is saying she adores her province and that we must stick together.
"This is kinda making it look like we're feeling sorry for ourselves, kind of like a pity party, we all go through struggles, things get hard."
"This is kinda making it look like we're feeling sorry for ourselves, kind of like a pity party, we all go through struggles, things get hard."
"It's just not the way that I want, or I feel like for the youth or some millennials in here, and this is not good for these kids because we're leaving this to them and the ones that are here agree, this is not for them. We are supposed to live for our kids."
"going once, going twice."
No speaker 18.
No. 19 is up.
No speaker 18.
No. 19 is up.
"We have a good start to Festivus here with teh airing of the grievances."
Lols from the crowd.
Lols from the crowd.
Pointing to MLA counts with population.
Says Alberta, basically, has less representation in Parliament so our votes don't count as much.
"This country has enshrined the limited franchise against some western provinces," he says. "We are treated as a colony."
Says revolutions have started for less.
Says revolutions have started for less.
"My name is Gord, I'm a life long Albertan, and I'm also a lawyer," says the next speaker.
Gord the Lawyer thinks Alberta is not getting a fair deal because as a lawyer he feels the trouble Alberta has comes from the "Judicial court side of our country."
Gord the Lawyer points out the TMX decision from 2018 that halted pipeline construction. (Which, good news, pipe is in the ground meow!)
Says Alberta was not adequately represented in that court decision.
Gord's outta time, but he's still going. He gets cut off.
Wants the government to go on the offensive on the legal front and make greater use of the reference question powers.
Wants the government to go on the offensive on the legal front and make greater use of the reference question powers.
Speaker 21 is up.
His name is Brett from Edmonton.
"There are a lot of Edmontonians who are represented in teh UCP, I just wanted to make that part clear," he says
"Most of my points have been taken up already, that'll teach me to come earlier."
"Most of my points have been taken up already, that'll teach me to come earlier."
Brett doesn't think Alberta's getting a good deal. Thinks most of Canada isn't, tho.
"I'm not a Wexit person just yet but if that doesn't change I'm pretty sure that in the future Canada's going to have major issues."
"I think the UCP's plan is fairly good," he says. "I would hit them hard, and as hard has possible on every money aspect, they like buying votes, hit them with money"
I don't understand this rhetorical flourish here.
I don't understand this rhetorical flourish here.
He's now talking about commodities, and it's under attack. "With a commodity what that means is you can only get a certain price for it."
Another youngish person here.
The last dude was short. This guy's tall. Struggling with the microphone. "I'm ruining everything," he says. "There we go, let's rock and roll."
The last dude was short. This guy's tall. Struggling with the microphone. "I'm ruining everything," he says. "There we go, let's rock and roll."
"Long time citizen, first time town haller."
Regardless of reccs, wants every one to "Inform our decisions with data, with reality, not with memes on facebook, not with ideology."
Regardless of reccs, wants every one to "Inform our decisions with data, with reality, not with memes on facebook, not with ideology."
"If we decide to exit from CPP for example taht's a real tangible decision and we cannot make those types of decisions is we 'feel like we'll really screw Ottawa' Albertans will pay the price if we get that wrong."
Pretty much everyone claps for him, I think.
Speaker 23 works in artificial intelligence and "the economy of tomorrow."
He's talking about trying to hire someone in Quebec.
He's talking about trying to hire someone in Quebec.
Hired them in ottawa instead, too much red tape in Gatineau, he says.
"In light of that, I think, from my perspective, separating certain things like that from the Canadian norm will put a chill on Alberta."
"In light of that, I think, from my perspective, separating certain things like that from the Canadian norm will put a chill on Alberta."
THIRTY SEVEN PER CENT BATTERY OH MY GOD
Lol shoutout to the Phoenix payroll system.
Says he has a "data-driven diatribe" and will submit by email. Thinks there's no fair deal but hte nine proposals don't do anything to help the economy. "I don't see the point of what's being proposed."
Speaker 24 is up while the microphone pops 'n' bops.
Speaker 24 says his points have been made already.
No it's not fair.
Speaker 24 says his points have been made already.
No it's not fair.
"We should do anything," he says, when responding to what Alberta should do.
"I think that the rest of the country should be investing back into Alberta and the rest of western Canada." Says they should be required to invest.
"I think that the rest of the country should be investing back into Alberta and the rest of western Canada." Says they should be required to invest.
He's talking about moving frogs and salamanders to take care of the environment.
Claps for saying the rest of the world should aprpeciate that.
Claps for saying the rest of the world should aprpeciate that.
"We do it great and we do it right."
Speaker 25. This is, I think, the third woman.
She wants more seats in the House for Alberta.
Says Kenney says Albertans perservere.
She wants more seats in the House for Alberta.
Says Kenney says Albertans perservere.
"But I feel like I have the right to live comfortably and support my family like every other province is allowed to do," she says, "and I feel like i'm criticized for it because I'm in oil and gas."
She says she has "two hobbies left" living and eating. She cant go quadding and boating anymore.
"Please do it swift and do it without having any kind of questions, you know, do it hard, because if you don't, we're going to look like we're ridiculous."
"Please do it swift and do it without having any kind of questions, you know, do it hard, because if you don't, we're going to look like we're ridiculous."
She says separation shouldn't be taboo, and should be on the table. "There are consequences to actions."
Speaker 26. She has a baby on her back. "The fair deal panel sounds like one of those divorce companies," she says.
"Not for a single minute have i ever felt like Alberta has been treated unfairly," she says, while saying she's a carpenter whose entire family income is dependant on oil and gas.
"I'm not saying I don't know how hard things are when busts can eat, we've come close to needing the food bank."
Says there's a "crushing lack of foresight" in the government. Says they're planning to learn how to do a different industry.
"We're not getting one more boom to piss away."
Cheers.
"We're not getting one more boom to piss away."
Cheers.
"What's a fair deal," says no. 27. "Alberta has easily, far and away, the highest income per capita in all of Canada."
He is explaining how the equalization formula works. "Of course the people who are making more are going to chip in more."
"That's fine, I'm good with that, I'm not going to resent it."
This guy also looks reasonably young.
Thinks the nine ideas will add a ton of red tape.
Thinks the nine ideas will add a ton of red tape.
Nobody thinks it would be best to fill in more pension and tax paperwork.
"If we continue to keep being resentful of people in Quebec, we always will be ... you can have resentment forever but it's not going to help us in a better future."
Not yet.
Another woman is speaking. Says venting is healthy.
"We need to really look at our past. This is a hamster wheel that Alberta has been on of separation since 1930."
"We need to really look at our past. This is a hamster wheel that Alberta has been on of separation since 1930."
She says the constitution is no longer working. "It's not just Alberta that suffers under the structure we have right now."
Says we should think "bigger." It's time to do what Trudeau Sr. did, started from scratch, started brand new.
Says we should think "bigger." It's time to do what Trudeau Sr. did, started from scratch, started brand new.
Wants the Constitution scrapped, and "something that evolves" is created.
"If we're not ready to start from scratch again, we're going to keep doing this in another generation."
This gets applause.
On to speakre 28.
This gets applause.
On to speakre 28.
Uh, 29.
This speaker is talking about radar and herbicide.
I think he's talking about his grandfather and how he made a difference.
"I think we are getting distracted by paying attention to small initiatives rather than saying alright, as a Canadian federal whole, here's what we need ..."
Speaker 30 is up now.
This speaker thinks there's no likelihood of a fair deal.
"I think separation is the answer, a lot of people here don't rreally like that."
"I think separation is the answer, a lot of people here don't rreally like that."
Wants a blueprint to explain how to separate and keep people onside, including CPP and First Nations.
Says AimCo sucks as much as CPP so he doesn't worry about his pensio.
"There's chances to change things that didn't work in Canada so that they do work in western Canada" he says.
This is surprisingly polite, all in all.
Ten people left, then we're on to closing remarks.
Ten people left, then we're on to closing remarks.
Next speaker is talking about how Canada should be decentralized and was meant. "We should always move toward being decentralized and keeping things simple."
"It's always easier to solve things back at the local level"
THIRTY TWO PER CENT AND 45 PER CENT WE ARE LIVING ON THE WILD SIDE NOW
Next speaker is making the mic stand taller. "Good evening," he says. He's gonna tell a story.
Retired solider. Fought in Afghanistan. This gets applause.
Retired solider. Fought in Afghanistan. This gets applause.
Says Canadians are proud of giving that country a future. "When I left the forces in 2011, it was in oil and gas that I had a chance to have a job of dignity, there was no other industry" that would take him, he says
Went to work in Africa, and put in environmental standards.
"We wrote that manual for environmental protection in Africa," he says. "While I was there I did more good for that country of Chad than I ever did in Afghanistan."
Says he's been out of work for two years. Started a distillery. "We don't have a country, we have barriers for trade, that it would take over a year to get my product to Saskatchewan or British Columbia."
Says to not be afraid of conflict. "If you want something you have to be able to stand up and say 'I deserve this and I'm going to fight for this.'"
Speaker 33 is up now.
"My mother was a residential schools survivor," he begins.
"My mother was a residential schools survivor," he begins.
Says he put himself through school planting trees and is now a small businessman, understands alienation. "I choose not to respond with despair and anger, separation is not the answer," he says. "Being treated the way we've been treated for the last five years is not the answer."
Wants more decentralized decision-making.
"I'd like to see the rest of Canada have our back, too"
John from Wetaskawin is up and speaking at LIGHTNING SPEED
Says he works in aviation. Lived in Ontario.
Wants more local power.
"I have a large family here," he says.
Next week, he's moving back to Ottawa, considering living in Gatineau b/c he'll be eligible for a $20,000 child tax benefit.
Hoots of outrage from the crowd.
Next week, he's moving back to Ottawa, considering living in Gatineau b/c he'll be eligible for a $20,000 child tax benefit.
Hoots of outrage from the crowd.
"The system is unbalanced."
As an aside, I am babyless and I too would like more money. Gimme gimme pls.
Paul from Sherwood Park is up now. He's from Quebec.
"Of course not," re: the fair deal.
"Of course not," re: the fair deal.
"When you're fighting an ideology, talking is OK but action is better, so, that's where we're at," he says. "We're at the point of action, so action is increase the pressure."
QC got power cause they pushed for it.
"Yep" says someone int eh crowd.
"Yep" says someone int eh crowd.
Area Reporter's Carpal Tunnel Flares Up From LiveTweeting
Maybe I can get transferred to a tropical island like the famous people who got consumption in the 1800s.
This guy says the government doesnt invest. It's using tax dollars.
Five speakers left
MOderator asks the crowd to applaud themselves.
Speaker 36 up now.
"Thank ou, it's been a good night. My name's Cam, I'm tradesman from the oilsands."
Speaker 36 up now.
"Thank ou, it's been a good night. My name's Cam, I'm tradesman from the oilsands."
Says the present bust is "self-imposed."
"Are we getting a fair deal? No."
"Are we getting a fair deal? No."
Says it's insane to expect too much from Ottawa. Says he agrees with Trudeau about being a post-national (?) country.
"Alberta has somethign to offer, with or without Canada I think we can do better than them."
"Alberta has somethign to offer, with or without Canada I think we can do better than them."
He likes the fair deal ideas but isn't sure how they'll work out in reality. Says it's worth paying attention to QUebec. "As a real life example."
"It might look like they have a great deal right now but their government is susceptible to corporatism"
"It might look like they have a great deal right now but their government is susceptible to corporatism"
Says we ought to learn from QC before bulldozing ahead.
A 17 year old from Quebec is speaking now.
"Are we getting a fair deal? Absolutely not."
getting a fair deal means self-autonomy in tax and immigration and getting TMX build.
"The massive Liberal media stop picking on oil and gas indsutry," he says.
"The massive Liberal media stop picking on oil and gas indsutry," he says.
Ryan who has a farm north of the city says he gets a lot of hate online for agriculture.
Says the RCMP is favouring vegan activists over property rights.
He says the deal is unfair in favour of the eastern provinces. "We can campaign with court challenges to get our goods to market," he says. "I think separation is a nuclear option, it's like divorce, it's going to hurt everyone."
"Myabe having it on the table, maybe that would help."
Next guy's an oil and gas and farming tradesman. "in 43 years i've voted pretty much all conservative, other than when Preston Manning was leading the Reform party."
Says he voted this year as a reluctant conservative. Syas he's driven five hours one way to vote.
Was getting ready to go vote from camp, and there was a polling station at the camp. "I was amazing at the number of people up there that were so happy to get a chance to vote."
Was getting ready to go vote from camp, and there was a polling station at the camp. "I was amazing at the number of people up there that were so happy to get a chance to vote."
Unclear if this is the Alberta or federal election.
"Diplomacy hasn't worked since Louis Riel, so, and they hung him, so we've got to get a little more vigilant, we've got to put our feet down, we've got to push the initiative for a referendum, we've got to make sure we've got fair representatin."
"I have concerns abotu how we come across to teh rest of Canada," says hte next speaker.
Doesn't want to be considered needy.
Doesn't want to be considered needy.
"The better Alberta does the better the country does."
"I don't want us to be seen as whiney, either"
And that's a wrap on speakers.
26 per cent phone battery
33 per cent computer battery
26 per cent phone battery
33 per cent computer battery
AND HERE'S MY FILE on the AIRING OF THE GRIEVANCES nationalpost.com/news/a-good-st…
