In this episode, I sit down with Alberta s premier, Rachel Notley, to talk about her vision for the future of the province and what it means for the rest of Canada. We talk about the economic and political implications of Alberta walking away from Canada, and how it could change the course of history.
00:04:50.480So I want to talk about this movement here, this Alberta movement first.
00:04:53.940And there's a lot of stories I want to get to here, but in the minutes we have, it seems to be growing.
00:04:59.520And there seems, this isn't just like internet chatter anymore.
00:05:02.800There seems to be a real momentum behind this.
00:05:05.420And this idea that Alberta could become the 51st state of the United States of America, low taxes, not have to deal with all of the green energy weird policies that's hurting farmers in Alberta and everything else.
00:05:17.160So what do you make of the latest moves here on the Alberta freedom movement?
00:05:20.320So a gentleman asked, what is the difference today?
00:05:24.580Well, the difference is today is we're bigger.
00:05:27.280Maybe we couldn't have had this conversation when we had a million and a half population.
00:05:31.780Maybe we couldn't have even had it when we had a three million population.
00:05:34.800Maybe we couldn't have had it when we were only generating $20 billion in revenue.
00:05:38.660Well, maybe we can have it now that we're generating $75 billion in revenue.
00:07:11.860So under the under law in Canada, because of the 1998 reference case and the Federal Clarity Act, it says that once there is a successful vote on a clear question by a province to succeed, then the other provinces, First Nations and the federal government are under a positive legal duty to enter into good faith negotiations as to the terms upon which the province will become an independent country.
00:07:40.180I do not expect good faith negotiations.
00:07:43.760I expect them to thwart things, force court applications.
00:07:48.780So, well, why am I optimistic that this could still happen then if I'm of the view that the federal government may not enter into good faith negotiations?
00:07:57.000But the most important one is the United States.
00:07:59.240So paragraph 155 of the Supreme Court of Canada decision talks about this scenario and it hints at if the federal government and the other parties don't enter into good faith negotiations, it doesn't preclude international recognition.
00:08:14.080It does not preclude other countries giving unilateral international recognition to Alberta in this instance, right?
00:08:22.040Well, the APP sent a delegation down several months ago to meet with a delegation of the U.S. State Department in Washington and they indicated to that APP delegation that they believe that the Trump administration would be prepared following a successful referendum to acknowledge statehood independence of Alberta.
00:08:44.080Now, let's be real, Canada isn't about to just let its golden goose waltz off the farm.
00:08:51.000Alberta's the cash cow and the Feds will throw every trick, every shady deal, every regulation they can dream up to keep it chained to Canada's sinking ship.
00:09:02.440But here's the history lesson, independence is rarely one alone, the American colonies, brave as hell, but without France backing them, the revolution would have been a lot tougher.
00:09:16.740International recognition makes all the difference.
00:09:21.300Well, it happens to live right next door to the most powerful country on earth.
00:09:25.740If Washington gave Alberta the nod, Ottawa's grip would collapse overnight.
00:09:32.520The whole game would change instantly.
00:09:35.380This has been largely engineered by the Alberta Prosperity Project, and they have done a fully comprehensive economic costing of what an independent Alberta would mean.
00:09:47.360And it looks extremely well for this potential independent province, or if it decides to become incorporated into the United States, I think Americans would welcome that because this is an energy rich province that contains most of the economic activity of Canada.
00:10:07.140These provinces aren't like the rest of the country.
00:10:10.280While the rest of Canada is busy telling people what they can and cannot do, Alberta's still standing for God, family, and freedom.
00:10:19.740And let's be honest, exceptions like that don't stay trapped in broken systems.
00:10:50.520So a gentleman asked, what is the difference today?
00:10:54.080Well, the difference is today is we're bigger.
00:10:56.380Maybe we couldn't have had this conversation when we had a million and a half population.
00:11:01.300Maybe we couldn't have even had it when we had a three million population.
00:11:04.320Maybe we couldn't have had it when we were only generating $20 billion in revenue.
00:11:08.180Well, maybe we can have it now that we're generating $75 billion in revenue.
00:11:12.500One of the things I would ask you to just consider, because I think we have a different interpretation on some of the historical developments.
00:11:19.800When I look at Rupert's Land and then Northwest Territories and then Alberta, when I look at the increasing numbers of areas of jurisdiction Quebec has taken over, that is responsible government.
00:11:31.460That as you develop the means to take care of your own affairs, then you start taking care of more of your own affairs.