After months of underestimating and mocking Albertans who support separation from Canada, you're beginning to realize things are getting real. After dismissing Alberta independence as a joke that, "would never happen," the mainstream media seems to no longer be laughing. The citizen initiative petition on Alberta independence has begun collecting signatures.
00:01:01.180We're seeing, you know, 18 to 35 year olds growing sentiment toward this, which is just interesting to see this happen.
00:01:09.880It is interesting to see what's happening in Alberta.
00:01:12.340And you should be concerned, Miss Mainstream Media Talking Head.
00:01:17.160After months of underestimating and mocking Albertans who support independence, you're all beginning to realize things are getting real, aren't you?
00:01:30.540After dismissing Alberta independence as a joke that, quote, would never happen.
00:01:36.200The mainstream media seems to no longer be laughing.
00:01:40.800Their condescending laughter is quickly being replaced by an ever-growing worry at the realization that Albertans are not playing games when they say they're done with Canada.
00:01:51.620The citizen initiative petition on Alberta independence that was approved by Elections Alberta in December has begun collecting signatures.
00:01:59.340The campaign holding events across the province, like this one on Saturday in Calgary.
00:03:00.200He's from Nova Scotia and moved to Alberta more than a decade ago.
00:03:04.340I have family that are upset with me for my views.
00:03:07.920They're upset that I want to separate and I think it's the right thing to do for Canada and Alberta.
00:03:14.320It will get other provinces to actually do something about it when the gravy train stops.
00:03:19.740Realistically, independence and separation from Canada for me looks like taking care of our own backyard.
00:03:25.660We'll have to take care of our seniors, take care of our health care, take care of our children, give a brighter future to our children.
00:03:31.220So I think it's about time that we start giving our own province back rather than giving to the rest of the country.
00:03:37.220The Stay Free Alberta campaign needs nearly 178,000 signatures by May 2nd to be successful.
00:03:43.540Albertans could vote on a referendum question later this year.
00:03:47.100You know, there is very little that brings me more satisfaction than seeing the political elites eat crow.
00:03:54.780Seeing the government-funded talking heads from the shamelessly prostituted Canadian mainstream media is a close second though, I must admit.
00:04:03.200Alberta independence is the underdog, a movement that has had very few friends in the Canadian establishment.
00:04:11.620Zero attempts have been made to try to sincerely understand what's driving this effort, particularly from our so-called political leaders in the federal government.
00:04:22.580By contrast, many of you will remember that when Quebec was campaigning for its second referendum to exit Canada, the entire country found itself on its knees, begging the French-speaking province to stay.
00:04:38.060Messages like, we love you and we appreciate you, please don't leave us, we're commonplace on the other side of the argument.
00:04:46.140For Albertans, no such luck. Insults, sabotage and shame dominate the discourse of those who oppose Albertan self-determination.
00:04:58.820But Albertans are a tough people and we like it that way. It makes the divorce that much easier.
00:05:06.040The group driving a petition for a referendum on Alberta independence, now actively holding town halls, collecting signatures.
00:05:13.120And we heard from economist Moshe Lander off the top on how all of this talk of potential separation could have a trickle-down impact on the province.
00:05:20.720Ellen, how do you see dialogue around this playing in the business community, especially if this petition is successful and the government sends it to a referendum?
00:05:32.380Yeah, you know, we, I think many of us sort of overlooked this and we thought, oh, there's nothing to be concerned about.
00:05:38.920And I'm hopeful that there is still nothing to be concerned about. But the sentiment is growing. We're seeing, you know, 18 to 35-year-olds growing sentiment toward this, which is just interesting to see this happen.
00:05:53.540Within the business community, I know the mid-sized businesses here in Alberta are many entrepreneurs, many family-run businesses, lots of entrepreneurs who are impacted by the federal government decision-making around the industry here.
00:06:05.580I don't believe we're going to really lose major investment at this point because, like I said, I'm hopeful it's not a real risk, but people are talking about it.
00:06:16.240And I think the important thing is, is we need to just listen to people. We need to consider different ideas, which you guys are great at doing as a media station.
00:06:26.440And so, yeah, different, different opinions, different rumblings. And I've been very focused on work and not so focused on this, but I think that's kind of what I'm hearing in the community.
00:06:37.500Well, and Alex, in the wake of the successful Forever Canadian petition, what degree of debate do you see shaping up over this push?
00:06:45.320I think I'm in the same boat. I think we were all a little bit surprised to see that it has become the talker that it has been.
00:06:53.940You know, I think we all dismissed this for a long time, you know, kind of pooh-poohed the idea that this would gain steam.
00:06:59.960And to be clear, I don't think we're in the neighborhood yet of Alberta actually being in danger of separating.
00:07:05.280But the fact that this is such a conversation, that there are teams forming, you know, on both quote-unquote side, you know, is going to have an impact.
00:07:12.900And Alberta doesn't have to vote to separate before we start seeing an economic impact, a social impact, a political impact.
00:07:20.340And so the fact that this has gained steam, I think, is surprising.
00:07:24.700These petitions, you know, are building huge teams. They're building volunteers.
00:07:28.480They're building databases of people who are on, you know, believe in what they're doing.
00:07:32.260And so, again, this is doing – it's galvanizing the argument on both sides.
00:07:37.200So should this go to a referendum, they're already – this is the organizing that needs to be done we're already seeing happen in real time.