Former federal cabinet minister Stockwell Day says Albertans should go to the polls to decide whether the province should break away from Canada, arguing the referendum would force the rest of the country to confront Western alienation. The former Canadian Alliance leader said he shares the independence movement's frustration but doubted they could clear the 50% needed to win a referendum. “I don’t think they get there, but people deserve the chance to register how aggrieved they are,” said Day. Day warned the federal Conservative Party that a rising Western independence movement could revive the vote splitting that plagued the right before it united in 2003. .Premier Danielle Smith’s government has tabled a bill allowing citizens to trigger referendums, including on independence, with signatures from 10% of voters. The proposal has drawn fire from indigenous chiefs, who say no ballot can undo treaty rights. Business leaders also worry. Calgary Chamber of Commerce president Deborah Yedlin said even holding a vote would inject uncertainty and chill spending on new projects in both Alberta and the rest of Canada. Day urged Prime Minister Mark Carney to ease tensions by granting Alberta more control over resources and appointing additional Westerners to the cabinet, arguing a stronger Alberta makes a stronger Canada.
