ANTI: ALBERTA SEPARATION

Thomas Lukaszuk: ANTI Alberta Separation

More Than Economics
You cannot judge whether Alberta has a good deal by looking strictly at economics. As Canadians, we’ve built an exceptionally successful, cohesive, prosperous country that stands out globally as a beacon of stability, democracy and human rights. Our Confederation continues to evolve as we negotiate among ourselves — not as enemies, but as partners in a model of success.

Provincial vs. Federal Responsibility
Overcrowded classrooms and poor health care are real problems. But those matters are provincial jurisdiction. If there’s a lack of action in Alberta, it’s because Alberta is a poorly governed province, not because of Confederation.

The Full Ledger
You can’t look at only one side of the ledger. What you’re suggesting is like a divorce where you keep all the shared assets but have no additional expenses.

The income tax argument is misleading. It’s like having two neighbours — one in a mansion, one in a modest home. Both are taxed at the same rate, but the mansion pays more because of its higher value. Alberta has the highest average corporate earnings in Canada.

The Real Costs of Independence
The claims about savings are fallacies. If Alberta were to secede and keep the money it currently pays in income tax and pension premiums, it would then have to establish its own programs and institutions:

• Embassies
• Central bank and currency
• Armed forces

All federal programs and benefits. You wouldn’t be saving that money.

Undermining National Interests
My concern is that you are undermining Canada’s national interest for United States strategic interests. It’s mind-boggling how misleading this is, and very difficult to have this conversation with your U.S. Marine uniform hanging behind you.

You are an American negotiating with the U.S. presidency. Energy security, access to minerals and particularly water are U.S. national interests. I would expect Parliament to strip me of my Canadian citizenship if I flew to Poland and negotiated with their president about Alberta seceding from Canada.

Legal and Constitutional Barriers
You are living in a world of imagination.

First barrier: Alberta sits on First Nations land covered by treaties signed with the Crown — not with Ottawa or Alberta.

Second barrier: Unlike founding provinces like Ontario and Quebec, Alberta was formed from the Northwest Territories by Parliament. Alberta’s secession is impossible without Canada’s consent.

Third barrier: Alberta would not be a viable country. It would be landlocked with fewer than five million people and would be swallowed up by the United States.

What Albertans Actually Want
Polling shows 70 to 80 percent of Albertans want nothing to do with separatism. Our “Forever Canadian” petition garnered nearly half a million signatures in less than two months.

In your recent by-elections, your party ran only on a separatist platform and was soundly rejected by Albertans. There has been a campaign for separation for decades, and it always falls flat because Albertans are rational, understand economics, and are Canadian patriots.

The Damage of Referendums
A referendum will undermine Alberta and Canada. History shows the consequences:

• Quebec’s separation flirtation devastated them economically — people moved out, investment dried up
• Brexit caused similar damage
• The Basque region of Spain is experiencing the same.

Albertans have rarely been as polarized as they are now — to the point where some families no longer invite each other for Christmas dinner. That needs to stop.

Economic damage may already be starting. Nancy Southern, CEO of ATCO (one of Alberta’s largest companies), says she’s hearing concerns from international investors over secession talk.

Canada as Protection
If the Alberta government is corrupt, would you not rather live in Canada? Most Albertans value that if the province overrides our rights, we still have the federal government as recourse.

The Bottom Line
I would prefer this be resolved quickly in the legislature. Albertans are Canadians, and we belong in this great country we’ve built together.

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