EDMONTON — Prominent nationalist Keith Wilson attempted to counter federalist arguments against Alberta independence on Monday, claiming that the points were inaccurate and meant to scare voters. "We are seven weeks away from the vote, and boy, the Federalists are nervous, and they are throwing so much mularkey it's spectacular," said Wilson in a video posted on social media. .The video addressed a collection of points raised against Alberta independence earlier on Monday. Among the issues addressed was a report published by the Alberta Federation of Labour that raised a range of concerns about an independent Alberta. "They released a report today that is absolutely full of doom and gloom," Wilson said. "The only thing I was surprised that they didn't have in the report is a meteor striking Earth."Jim Stanford, who authored the AFL report, raised concerns about Alberta workers losing access to federal benefits they have paid into, including the Canada Pension Plan and EI. Wilson said the AFL's argument to scare seniors is "dirty pool," and just like someone who has paid into the CPP and moves outside of Canada still has access to their pension, so too would individuals in an independent Alberta.AFL's report also raised concerns about debt, bank failures and uncertainty, capital flight, and financial instability. To this, Wilson said many of Canada's major banks already operate cross-border, and Alberta will just need to establish a federal regulator. He also pushed back against concerns that Alberta's debt would increase rather than decrease; Wilson said individuals must account for funds retained without the federal equalization program. .Trade is often a key point of discussion in the independence debate, as critics raise concerns about how Alberta would export its resources without direct ocean access or existing agreements. Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney suggested on Monday that independence would mean the end of free trade, and Alberta would lose tariff-free access to all of Canada's international agreements and the nine provinces. "We have phenomenal leverage," Wilson said. "This notion that former Premier Kenney is pandering that, 'Oh, everything comes to a stop,' is pure nonsense." "We're smarter than that. We have the sophistication to negotiate trade deals that would come into effect upon independence occurring to ensure continuity and stability." Independence advocates claim that an independent Alberta will export oil through the U.S., as it already does, and that other Canadian provinces cannot survive without Alberta's energy.Additionally, the time between the October vote and a potential binding referendum will give the Alberta government the chance to approach other countries and either work out a continued agreement or establish a new deal. .Wilson and other individuals involved with the Alberta Transition Council intend to release a white paper in which they will provide a potential pathway to follow when establishing an independent Alberta. “Look at this with a clear eye,” Wilson said. “I think when you do, you'll come to the conclusion that the right thing to do for your family, for your kids, for your grandkids, for your neighbours, for your friends, for the people you work with, is to send Ottawa a message on October 19th that Alberta can do better.”
