Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has rejected the notion of Alberta independence, and instead suggests forming alliances with other provinces to overhaul Ottawa’s oppressive system.He acknowledged Alberta has been “under relentless attack” for decades, with the province paying more than it receives into Ottawa’s equalization fund, and enduring federal anti-oil and anti-gun laws.Poilievre, at a press conference Monday morning, was asked about his stance on Western independence, given the growing movement in Alberta — where he will be running in a byelection on August 18..“Well, I disagree with separation,” said Poilievre.“I’m a Canadian patriot.”He added he was born and raised in Calgary, and “understands the frustration” many Westerners express.“I still think that there’s no other country in the world where someone of my modest origins would be able to make it to this place, and that’s the story that millions of people have lived and relived from across the country,” said Poilievre.“So we are united by that Canadian promise.”.EXCLUSIVE: Bernier backs Western independence vote after leadership win.The Tory leader commiserated with Albertans on Ottawa’s ongoing overreach but stopped short of supporting a Wexit.“We have to put a final end to this notion that Ottawa tells Alberta to ‘pay up and shut up’ — and that’s what Albertans have been told by this Liberal government for a decade. Their frustrations are entirely legitimate,” he said.“Alberta is the #1 net contributor in Confederation (per capita), paying more in tax than it gets back in federal programs.”“The major industry of Alberta has been under relentless attack for the last 10 years, the rural and Western way of life is under attack with ridiculous gun bans.”“The frustration is real and it is legitimate, and we should neither dismiss it nor deride the people who hold those frustrations. It’s the job of all federal leaders, and frankly, all members of parliament to redress the very unfair treatment that Western Canada has been receiving, and I pledge to do that.”“I grew up understanding that the federal government had viciously attacked the Alberta economy, and so one of the reasons I got into politics was to bring fairness to my province and to my region, and I’ll continue to fight for that by repealing the anti-energy laws, unlocking free enterprise, shrinking the size of the federal government so more of Alberta’s money stays in the hands of Albertans, getting rid of the dumb gun laws and instead locking up the real criminals.”.APP releases Alberta independence budget; billions in surplus, currency backed by gold, oil, Bitcoin.Poilievre added the provinces and various regions across the nation could be stronger in the face of Ottawa’s oppressive policies if mutually beneficial alliances were formed.“Let’s build alliances,” he said.“Albertans should build alliances with Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who want to develop their oil and gas. Our Newfoundland and Labrador cousins want to double their production. We should support that.”“Let’s develop alliances with coastal First Nations who want to liquefy and export Alberta’s natural gas over to Asia to get 14 bucks instead of three for it.”“Let’s build alliances with Greater Toronto Area communities that want an end to catch and release, to lock up criminals, or to miners in Timmins who want to develop resources or keep their hunting rifles.”“That’s how you get things done. Build alliances to get good results that serve Albertans and Canadians.”
