I’m not surprised: Sixty per cent of Albertans would favour a western separatist movement. That’s the result of a new opinion poll by Angus Reid.
Here’s their headline:
Decades after Reform’s rise, voters open to a new ‘Western Canada Party’. And by that, they mean a new federal party, to run in Canadian elections, like the old Reform Party did, to promote a western point of view.
Angus Reid says a new pro-western party would immediately be in first place across the west, and would literally get 40 per cent in Alberta. Could be.
Of course, it would depend a lot on the leader; I think a lot of westerners are disappointed in the weak sauce of Andrew Scheer. Maxime Bernier, who calls himself "the Albertan from Beauce," actually has more of a chance that others might think.
Now look at the real question in the Angus Reid survey:
Would you be in favour or opposed to your own province joining such a western separatist movement?
Forty three per cent of BCers and 45 per cent of Manitobans are strongly opposed to the idea, although 35 per cent of BCers are open to the idea, and 36 per cent are open to it in Manitoba — before such a party even is formed.
(And remember, simply having a western separatist party doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll separate. It might just mean you want to negotiate a bit more firmly than rolling over every time. It's worked for Quebec.
(Furthermore, I’m not sure what use the United States of America would have for an independent Quebec. But I’m pretty sure Donald Trump would know what to do with Alberta...)
And Albertans, I think, know this, if you look at these poll results. Again, without even advocating, 60 per cent of Albertans would immediately support such a project — and half of those supporters are “strong”. That’s a landslide, folks.
So what does this all mean?
I think it means that all of the existing political entities have failed the west.
Obviously the Liberals, but the NDP doesn’t much like it either. And the Conservative Party? Well, the stats speak for themselves: People prefer another party to it; they prefer separatism to it. That’s sad.
Of course other institutions have failed, too. The mainstream media is in many ways the worst; but so are the courts — which are the primary means to attack the oil patch and pipelines. People are fed up.
Remember, though:
They called Preston Manning a bigot for standing up for the west. Thirty years later, that playbook still seems to work. Get ready for it again.
NEXT: One of our most popular guests, consultant and lawyer Manny Montenegrino, comes on to talk about the U.S./Canada trade war I discussed earlier this week.
FINALLY: Your letters to me!
Which is to say, the fiscal argument is bunk. They don’t want to diversify. Notice how pipelines dominate the national discourse, despite energy being a small part of our national economy?
;;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;Let’s see how diversified we could get with $100 billion in five years subsidy free.!! Andrew you are falling to new depths of stupidity that I’m sure there’s not even words to describe.!!
Wow a PHD eh.. it certainly wasn’t in math or economics
Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah
January Labour Force Survey numbers out today- Quebec has the second-lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 5.4%. Lower than any other province but BC (4.7%).
Interestingly, both have years-old “economy killing carbon taxes”, which apparently means balanced budgets and excellent job markets.
everybody else.!”
Why would they do that? They have both near-full employment and a budget surplus – without it. Alberta could take a lesson on economic diversification.
I like Dave Rubin’s show. I have no problem with him. Even if I loved Maxime Bernier, I would still say that he needs to go into intensive English speaking lessons to do whatever he can to try to improve like other French politicians have done. There are people who just won’t want to listen to him speak even if they agree with what he has to say.
Don’t hold your breath for Maxime to be PM. As much as you may hate Scheer – he is your only hope in this election cycle.
vote Max Bernier federally, Derrick Fildebrandt for the premiership of Alberta.
Something must have happened to get all the trolls out screechin’ with their panties all twisted up in knots…maybe they need a cranberry juice.
I’ve been seeing a lot of that fear and uncertainty/deer-in-the-headlights-glazed-eyes look on lefty progressives lately. A lot of that was goin’ on the other night at the SOTU too…on the left side of that House…Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez comes to mind – although I guess she always looks kinda stunned.
Maybe it was the bigger-picture-idea of the $20 Billion in transfer payments last year, that someone here mentioned earlier – and how much independence that kind of wealth could buy – and remove from the grasp of the Laurentian Elite…
You, with your Rubin remarks, are just so reliably and consistently typical Jimmy. Your formula for attack never deviates. You are consistent, kind of like a bot or something. I’m sure you’re not though. More like a paid troll. Yes, pick your boss, they all do it. As much as you protest the accusation, we both know you don’t do it for the sport.
Have fun , we love you.
It was one of Rubin’s least watched episodes and certainly not impressive if we are talking about the Canadian population. Don’t try to make something out of nothing in the big picture.
He cannot beat Trudeau. His inability to speak English (which many have complained about even if they can still understand him) is among many of the reasons why, but I see you are all in on Bernier and are expecting Trudeau to lose.
Who ever buys the deal is the sucker.
Somebody is a coward in all of this separation talk, John Wick.
And its not Trudeau because he doesn’t the power to stop Alberta."
Removing 40 reliable conservative seats from Parliament helps the Liberals a great deal.
Oh yeah….
For anyone who hasn’t watched the Rubin interview yet. Part 1 and 2. or full version.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l_jDNowMxA
Maxime Bernier on Canadian Politics (Pt. 1)
97,552 views
5.2K likes
161 dis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc6BREHHGF8
Maxime Bernier on Justin Trudeau (Pt. 2)
74,643 views
4.1K likes
82 dis
or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIu_JBlI6PU
Maxime Bernier: The Next Prime Minister of Canada? (Full Interview)
49,153 views
2.6K likes
85 dis
I am very sure about Bernier. People tried to watch him on Dave Rubin and they couldn’t understand what he was saying. His English is atrocious and that is going to impact him badly when trying to campaign and debate.
Scheer will lose as well and then the Conservative Party will get a new leader who may win the next election, but 2019 is going to Trudeau re-elected.
Just divorce already.
Where’s their sense of dignity?
Quebec & Canada are all threats and if there was an old agreement, stick to the letter, just take off & make yourselves great again, Alberta.
Alberta can make more money in the long run without Quebec & Ontario stealing it all. Even if Alberta has hardships, the trade w the USA will be phenomenal. Alberta will bounce back and Canada might respect them again.
Alberta should be a leader, be independent but if Albertans whine, nobody will respect Albertans.
If Alberta trades with the USA, the world & every other country is your oyster Alberta.
BC is not going anywhere because were so diverse, we need the feds to help us get along and we like that on the whole.
Really, leaving can’t be any worse than staying.
There is concern. The status quo is crumbling before our very eyes.
Carry on John.
And its not Trudeau because he doesn’t the power to stop Alberta.
He can’t make you stay, prairies.
Its all on you. Grow up or shut up.