Eva Chipiuk - What Happens on Day 1 After a SUCCESSFUL Alberta Independence Referendum？
Episode Stats
Words per Minute
91.94085
Summary
Learn English with the Prime Minister of Alberta, Rachel Notley, who delivers her response to the results of Alberta's referendum on independence from Canada, and calls for respect for the will and voice of the people. In this speech, Rachel talks about the importance of self-determining our future, and challenges those who sow fear in the process.
Transcript
00:00:10.000
Right now, there's a lot of excitement about the prospect of an independence referendum in Alberta.
00:00:19.000
It's truly inspiring to see Albertans paying attention,
00:00:23.000
asking serious questions, and preparing to directly exercise their democratic voices.
00:00:31.000
Because even now, there are people who speak as though Alberta voting on its future
00:00:44.000
That is why I am here today, to inspire confidence in the process
00:00:53.000
those who deliberately sow fear while disparaging fellow citizens.
00:00:59.000
A healthy democracy does not mock civic engagement.
00:01:03.000
It depends on it, and it thrives because of it.
00:01:07.000
Let us set aside the noise, speculation, and deliberate nonsense
00:01:16.000
What does the day after a successful referendum actually look like?
00:01:22.000
In the morning when we, the citizens of the beautiful and resilient province of Alberta,
00:01:28.000
wake up to the news that Albertans have exercised their right to self-determination
00:01:35.000
and voted to become a truly free and independent nation,
00:01:43.000
Let that settle the alarmists and the fear-mongers.
00:01:48.000
Legally speaking, the constitution will not disappear.
00:02:02.000
Businesses will continue to power the life of the province.
00:02:08.000
What does change is something far more powerful and unprecedented in Alberta history.
00:02:15.000
The great people of Alberta will have spoken clearly and lawfully.
00:02:21.000
And that injects something into the system that cannot be ignored.
00:02:55.000
Elected officials, federally, provincially, and including Indigenous leadership, are no longer free to dismiss, delay, and deflect.
00:03:05.360
They are constitutionally required to listen, and more than that, they are required to act.
00:03:12.800
When the people speak clearly, the obligations of those in power changes.
00:03:18.540
That is democracy functioning exactly as designed.
00:03:28.880
It is not rebellion, and it's not a negotiating tactic.
00:03:36.720
A referendum is one of the simplest and most direct expressions of the democratic will of the people.
00:03:53.500
Even the Supreme Court of Canada has been clear on this point, and this cannot be ignored.
00:04:05.700
But when change becomes necessary, we meet it responsibly.
00:04:13.520
We see it in our daily lives, in rising costs, declining services, and growing distrust in institutions meant to serve the public.
00:04:25.620
The reason Albertans are demanding better government is simple.
00:04:29.180
The system is no longer delivering what it promised.
00:04:41.020
This referendum will not solve every problem overnight, but it will do something essential.
00:04:47.460
It will force honesty into the system and return responsibility where it belongs, with the people.
00:05:14.100
An informed and engaged citizenry is not a threat to democracy.
00:05:25.240
Alberta's future will not be built by fear, but by those willing to meet it head-on with clarity, integrity, and resolve.
00:05:47.320
And when that will and voice is heard, it must be respected.
00:06:03.160
Standing up for a system where citizens are not afraid to challenge the government.
00:06:10.020
We are here defending open debate without censorship.
00:06:14.020
We are here protecting a society that encourages disagreement rather than punishing it.
00:06:23.440
Insisting on leadership that respects citizens instead of disparaging them.
00:06:29.160
And calling for a government that is transparent about how public money is spent.
00:06:34.280
And most of all, we're here because we believe in a place where the basics of a good life are not out of reach.
00:07:08.680
Where hard work is rewarded and not eroded by policies made far away.
00:07:26.880
A free society does not tell its people to sit down, stay quiet, and do as you're told.
00:07:35.280
So if you're tired of being dismissed, of being told to comply without question, tired of being silenced, this is your moment.
00:07:52.540
I am inviting all of you to make your voices heard clearly, confidently, and so that Ottawa hears it once and for all.