LETTER: Kenney should not take independence off the table

In outlining his reasons for refusing to entertain Alberta independence, Premier Kenney’s top concern was his deep, abiding emotional connection to Canada. I must admit I am not burdened as such. My deep, abiding connection is first to my family and then my community. 

I voted UCP in the provincial election, and I voted for Kenney in the UCP’s leadership. During the UCP’s leadership, the Jean campaign’s most effective attack against Mr. Kenney was that Jason’s many years in Ottawa had changed his perspective to that of a career politician. Fast forward to this week, I wish Mr. Kenney would stop proving the Jean campaign correct.

Premier Kenney’s top priority since the federal election has been to de-escalate tensions with a Prime Minister who despises Alberta and Albertans. If his sole goal is construction of Trans Mountain pipeline this may seem logical. But, if TMX is to be the last Canadian pipeline ever constructed, what’s the point? The problem isn’t the pipeline. The problem is a federal government reaching outside the Constitution to kill resource development. 

This doesn’t get solved with a phone call, or a letter, or an expert panel. Until Alberta meets federal attacks with real consequences, escalating in severity on a clear and public timeline, our province will continue to be treated as a colony.

I am not a separatist nor do I think Alberta would long survive on its own as an independent country. However, we should not take the nuclear option off the table because nothing we have seen to this point indicates that the current situation is improving.

The people of this province deserve to have their government treat Alberta’s economic meltdown as an urgent matter. Having seen no concrete action to this point, I am concerned that the anger and fear felt by so many will eventually be turned on ourselves. Populist movements are not always predictable and do not limit themselves to the speed of government.

To sum up: Real action is urgently needed; put the federal government on notice with firm consequences; keep it simple; and as much as possible keep the politics out of it.

This is best path forward.

-Joe