Ryan McMillan is a communications professional and the owner of Corsair CommunicationsAlbertans are starting to murmur again. You can hear it in almost every conversation, faint at first but distinctive, undeniable and growing. It is like a train rolling across the prairies on a warm summer evening. You're hearing the calls for Alberta to secede from the Canadian federation, and they are starting to echo.The problem, is that like a train on the prairies, it runs on a schedule and is too predictable.The problems facing Western independence are very akin to the problems facing Canadians in general. These problems range from a lack of identity anchored in the past, an uncertain vision for the future, to a structural/foundational problem in conservative thought..We know that if the Conservatives win a majority on April 28, the Western independence sentiment will quickly fade off in the distance. We also know that if the Conservatives fail to win a majority government, the Western separatist movement will splinter into many unorganized groups that cannot agree with one another. They will split faster than you can say WEXIT.The lack of identity and unifying vision is very clear. The foundational problem in modern Conservative free thinking makes it fractious in nature. This makes the battle a lot harder when you are dealing with a Liberal Party that does the opposite; it does not allow opposition to its leadership, it owns the main stream media and it keeps people in line. It's a lot like a cult.However, you can even see this struggle in Mark Carney’s recent cringeworthy campaign ad, in which Carney flys Mike Myers to Canada to film an ad at a hockey arena with a Canadian flag duct taped to the wall.Obviously, Carney thinks Canadians have a cultural history that only goes back about 50 years, is rooted in CBC programming, and needs a celebrity to give it street cred. Is Kamala Harris advising the Liberal Party Campaign? .Regardless, the best Carney could produce is “elbows up” and that there will always be a Canada. But, what will that Canada look like? Will that Canada be free, entrepreneurial, competitive and prosperous or will it be afraid to speak and saddled with debt? No clue.If America gains a 51st state and calls it “Canada” does that mean that Canada still exists? Again, there are no clear answers to this from anyone.However, it does bring some serious thought to the dilemma that Western Canadians are facing over independence.That is, without a clear vision Canadians will falter. Without a return to accountable governance Canada will continue to decline..That means we in the West are caught between Ottawa and President Trump. Both are preying on the inherent weakness of a people that are divided, without a sense of self and a feeling that we are powerless to act — feelings can lie though.The one figure that I have been most confused by lately has been Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. There have been periods of odd silence from the Conservative camp and at times a failure to provide a positive vision to the problems facing Canadians in both the immediate and long term.However, the NDP have been declining in the most Shakespearian fashion imaginable — Jagmeet Singh’s selfish ambition will be his legacy. Furthermore, Prime Minister Carney is busy barking at reporters and lecturing frustrated union workers. Was this the Conservative plan all along— to give incompetence room to breathe?If so, I tip my hat to the Conservatives for waiting this out, but that still leaves Canadians in the lurch waiting for a real rallying cry. I watched Mr. Poilievre’s speech launching his campaign and the big question that came to my mind was this: 'What are you offering that could not be gained by becoming a 51st state or through Western sovereignty?'Let Carney bark at reporters and sputter in French. Let Jagmeet hum quietly to himself in the corner. Let CBC run their polls, but please cast a vision of a country worth fighting for.To the folks who want to take Alberta out of Confederation, those who have hung in there until now, and are planning their response to me — hear me out. Take the next month to regroup, plan your communications, vision and unify. Even if Poilievre wins a majority there is still an argument for western independence. If Poilievre only wins a minority government or worse yet, loses altogether that will be your moment — if you are ready.What is modern Canada, why is Canada worth saving and what will it mean for our grandchildren? If you can't answer that question, then what is the best path forward to attain freedom, why is that more valuable than remaining as we are, and will it yield a life our grandchildren will thank us for? Whoever answers these questions first, and best, will win the day.Ryan McMillan is a communications professional and the owner of Corsair Communications. X @ryanimcmillan
