This series encapsulates the better arguments for an Independent Alberta. It seeks to explain why this movement is gaining significant strength. With thanks to the many, many authors who have written on this subject previously.
1. 1905 – Alberta was constructed as a colony for Central Canada. Haultain recognized this in his opposition to the division of Buffalo; “permanently render the Great NW into an unwilling, inferior and imperfect member of Confederation.”
2. The culture of Alberta – a low tax, small gov’t, business-friendly, self-sufficient, personal responsibility approach to governing as compared to an increasingly socialist, globalist, highly regulated, controlling + highly taxed environment being created by the #LPC in #ROC.
3. Historical – the failed attempts by the West to increase or equalize representation within Canada.
1921 – Progressives.
1935 - Social credit.
1987 – Reform Party
2021 – Maverick
1921 – Progressives.
1935 - Social credit.
1987 – Reform Party
2021 – Maverick
4. Evolution of the Quebec veto. The “acquisition” of the Fed Gov’t by the province of Quebec, as evidenced today by ever more favourable economic policies, official bilingualism, increasingly intrusive French language requirements, and overriding influence in policy making.
5. Our inequitable contributions to #ROC. This has been $630B since 1961, $497B of which went to Quebec. There is no doubt that over this period, Alberta has been a “cash cow” for the Fed Gov’t. It is now approx. $18B per annum or $4,000 for every man, woman child in Alberta.
6. Lack of any chance of success for the current “Fair Deal” proposals. It is simply not in the #ROC interests to renegotiate any of these points, nor will they. At the end of the day, they will receive about as much attention as the Buffalo Declaration.
7. The continuous Federal campaign to landlock Alberta’s oil + gas and diminish the industry. From the NEP in 1980 to Bill C-48 (banning tankers) and Bill C-69 (no more pipelines).
8. Concentration of fed public services in the NCR – 40% - high as compared to other countries. The regional/political bias is acute, giving undue influence in fed policy making. “National Policy” has become a code phrase for “the economic interests of Ontario and Quebec.”
9. The fact that the Federal gov’t has allowed the courts to become the major arbiters and deciders in the development of major resource projects. Subsequent “death by delay” procedures and increased influence of minor parties.
10. Oil Imports – in 2019 Canada imported 660,000 bbls, spending $18.9B on foreign oil. Yet the #LPC disallowed the #energyeast pipeline, which would have carried 1 million bbls per day from Western to Eastern Canada.
11. decades-longThe flight of investment capital from Alberta, which has been mostly driven by #LPC policy, not the price of oil. These large investments were made on decades long price projections. In 2014 $80B was invested. In 2019, only $35B.
12. Alberta GDP in 2019 was $335B. That places us #38 out of 213 countries. Of course we can go it alone. Energy, Agriculture, Forestry, Tourism, Manufacturing, High Tech all have a solid base.
13. The simple fact that an Independent Alberta would be able to negotiate with the #ROC from a position of power, as compared to simply being an under represented Province within Confederation with out any significant voice in an ever-shrinking world.
14. We are one of the few countries, thanks to Quebec referendums, that have a clear route for any province to gain its independence. The Clarity Act, while heavily biased, provides for what could be a peaceful dissolution.
15. As observed in Boston in 1776 – Not many people born on this earth have the opportunity to determine what type of government they wish to live under. May Albertans be so blessed.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
