Canadians have mixed feelings after Alberta Premier Danielle Smith revealed that residents are upset with the election results and announced proposed changes to the democratic process, including a bill to make it easier for the province to separate from Canada.
On Monday, Canadians headed to the polls to choose the next federal government, resulting in a fourth consecutive term for the Liberals, with Mark Carney remaining as prime minister.
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On Tuesday, Smith released a statement congratulating Carney for the win, and saying that Albertans were “deeply frustrated” with the election results.
According to her, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s campaign, which emphasized the need to better commercialize Canada’s natural resources, including Alberta’s oil supply, has empowered the province to demand more from the federal government.
“A large majority of Albertans are deeply frustrated that the same government that overtly attacked our provincial economy almost unabated for the past 10 years has been returned to government,” she said.
“As Premier, I will not permit the status quo to continue. Albertans are proud Canadians that want this nation to be strong, prosperous, and united, but we will no longer tolerate having our industries threatened and our resources landlocked by Ottawa.”
A few weeks before the election, the Angus Reid poll found that 30 per cent of Alberta residents would vote for the province to separate from Canada if the Liberals won, whether to form an independent country or join the United States as a state or territory.
The poll also found that only 24 per cent of Albertans feel like they are respected by the rest of the country, which is almost half less than the rest of the provinces that average at 52 per cent.
SMITH PROPOSES CHANGES TO THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS
Also on Tuesday, Smith announced some proposed changes to democratic processes in the province, which according to her could make Albertans more trusting of Canadian democracy.
“I believe that democracy thrives when people trust the process. These changes would make elections at every level in Alberta more accessible and transparent while protecting their integrity, ensuring confidence in the outcomes,” she said.
Some of the proposed measures include some changes to voting processes, such as banning the use of automated voting machines and requiring ballots to be hand counted; eliminating vouching at voting stations; requiring unofficial vote counts to be done within 12 hours of polls closing; allowing any voters to request a special ballot without having to justify it; and requiring voters to vote in their constituency.
But one of the most surprising proposed changes is to lower the voting threshold for citizen-led referendums from 20 per cent to 10 per cent, and increase the timeframe to gather votes from 90 days to 120 days.
Under these changes, it would be easier for Alberta residents to introduce a successful referendum to separate from Canada.
CANADIANS REACT TO ALBERTA’S SEPARATIST SENTIMENTS
Online, many Canadians, including some Albertans, are disapproving of Smith’s discourse and proposed changes, saying that Canada should be aiming to stay together at this time.
“I have absolutely no time for the ‘Alberta should separate’ people just because the Libs won. It’s a very loser take my ball and go home mentality. Alberta is well represented in the HoC and we should be strengthening our federation right now, not threatening to destroy it,” one X user said.
“As an Albertan, I’m sick and tired of the UCP’s ‘poor me’ victim schtick. They’re whipping up anti-Ottawa sentiment to distract from their own policy and economic failures, especially the health care corruption scandal. Don’t fall for it,” another user added.
“Alberta smarten up and get rid of Danielle Smith. She treats your province like you aren’t part of Canada and disrespects the fact that you’re all Canadians just like the rest of us. Don’t let her dictate to you simply because she’s not loyal to Canada herself. Push back,” a different user chimed in.
“Now that the election is over, lets let Danielle Smith know that it’s Canadas Oil and not Alberta’s Oil,” a user pointed out.
In the meantime, some Albertans online seem to agree with Smith, supporting the idea that Alberta could separate from Canada, and revealing that they feel neglected by Eastern provinces.
“I am ashamed of Canadians why would you vote to disrespect yourselves goodbye 👋 Alberta is gone no more abuse,” a user said.
“Yes. Alberta has been screwed for years. What the east wants, the east gets. Time to part ways,” a different user added.
“Alberta isn’t taking eastern abuse anymore. We are taking our oil money and leaving. Watch your country be destroyed with climate lies for profits,” another user suggested.
