Intuitive differences between sovereigntists in Quebec and those in the West abound. A deeper consideration is necessary though for Albertans seeking to navigate a better future. .Quebec’s version is founded in language, cultural and ethnicity (or race). “Fortress Quebec” emerged among the descendants of the lost French colony. French Quebec embattled in a continent of English..Sovereigntism in Alberta is an extension of the long existing “western alienation”, born of a feeling of economic exploitation and exclusion from national decision making. Federal policies that negatively affect the West’s resource sectors drive much of the anger. .Quebec sovereigntism is less a movement now, than an industry. Sovereigntists control two of the three main provincial parties, both of the province’s dominant federal parties, four major non-partisan organizations, six sympathetic organizations, and 12 media groups..The numbers paint a picture of a population frozen, awaiting direction and a political class vying to take leadership. 82 per cent of Quebecers say that they don’t want to revisit independence (Angus Reid Oct 2016). But on independence, 23 per cent say “Yes”, 23 per cent say “No” and 54 per cent are “unsure” (Environics Jan 19). Meanwhile, 62 per cent self-identify as Quebecer first or only. 70 per cent feel that the French language is threatened. Politically, 23 per cent are federalist, 23 per cent are sovereigntists and 54 per cent are neither (poll for La Presse Jan 2019). .A majority of Quebecers (55 per cent) would be happy or okay should Alberta gain its independence (Abacus Nov. 2019). .Daniel Turp, an ex-Bloc Quebecois MP revealed at a 2020 conference in Alberta that the go-to strategy of “Fortress Quebec” is to “pick a fight.” Consequences are disregarded. Only 1 per cent of Albertans think that Quebec is friendly toward them. The average of the other provinces is 5 per cent. Over half (54 per cent) of all Canadians think Quebec takes more than it gives in confederation (Angus Reid Jan 2019)..Those vying for the hearts and votes of Quebec see a conflicted population, ready to follow a leader, supremely indifferent to the rest of the country and conditioned to the “start a fight” strategy. For the elites of Fortress Quebec of all stripes, the play is clear. With the feds in hand, the West is the next target. .Alberta is very different. Of Albertans, 78 per cent feel that they are treated unfairly in confederation (Abacus Nov 2019). Further, 78 per cent believed that the federal government has lost touch with the average person (Navigator Jan 10 2020). No MP’s from Winnipeg to the suburbs of Vancouver grace the Liberal government’s caucus or cabinet. The West’s dissent is systematically disregarded..Sovereigntism in the West is about a lack of democratic inclusion; fueled by economic distress exacerbated by federal policies. Alberta’s contradiction is also clear. 50 per cent are okay with independence (Angus Reid Feb 2019). 48 per cent think confederation doesn’t work, yet 64% claim pride in being Canadian (Dart Insight June 2016). .Albertans want a country that works, but are excluded. Quebecers are indifferent to the country, but are placated. .In determining its political future, Alberta must rise above the schoolyard tactics described by Mr. Turp. Yes, push back against a bully, but remain true to ourselves. Take a path defined by who we are. .Westerners want to be part of a great, prosperous and generous country where all people have a voice, heard equally and where the purpose of government is to serve all of its people..The vision is of a nation built on the purpose of equality of all citizens. That vision needs to be enunciated by new foundational documents and structures. Should that vision be rejected, then Albertans will be largely united and will know the next step. .We need to come together, tell the country what we want, and find out if we are in or out.
Intuitive differences between sovereigntists in Quebec and those in the West abound. A deeper consideration is necessary though for Albertans seeking to navigate a better future. .Quebec’s version is founded in language, cultural and ethnicity (or race). “Fortress Quebec” emerged among the descendants of the lost French colony. French Quebec embattled in a continent of English..Sovereigntism in Alberta is an extension of the long existing “western alienation”, born of a feeling of economic exploitation and exclusion from national decision making. Federal policies that negatively affect the West’s resource sectors drive much of the anger. .Quebec sovereigntism is less a movement now, than an industry. Sovereigntists control two of the three main provincial parties, both of the province’s dominant federal parties, four major non-partisan organizations, six sympathetic organizations, and 12 media groups..The numbers paint a picture of a population frozen, awaiting direction and a political class vying to take leadership. 82 per cent of Quebecers say that they don’t want to revisit independence (Angus Reid Oct 2016). But on independence, 23 per cent say “Yes”, 23 per cent say “No” and 54 per cent are “unsure” (Environics Jan 19). Meanwhile, 62 per cent self-identify as Quebecer first or only. 70 per cent feel that the French language is threatened. Politically, 23 per cent are federalist, 23 per cent are sovereigntists and 54 per cent are neither (poll for La Presse Jan 2019). .A majority of Quebecers (55 per cent) would be happy or okay should Alberta gain its independence (Abacus Nov. 2019). .Daniel Turp, an ex-Bloc Quebecois MP revealed at a 2020 conference in Alberta that the go-to strategy of “Fortress Quebec” is to “pick a fight.” Consequences are disregarded. Only 1 per cent of Albertans think that Quebec is friendly toward them. The average of the other provinces is 5 per cent. Over half (54 per cent) of all Canadians think Quebec takes more than it gives in confederation (Angus Reid Jan 2019)..Those vying for the hearts and votes of Quebec see a conflicted population, ready to follow a leader, supremely indifferent to the rest of the country and conditioned to the “start a fight” strategy. For the elites of Fortress Quebec of all stripes, the play is clear. With the feds in hand, the West is the next target. .Alberta is very different. Of Albertans, 78 per cent feel that they are treated unfairly in confederation (Abacus Nov 2019). Further, 78 per cent believed that the federal government has lost touch with the average person (Navigator Jan 10 2020). No MP’s from Winnipeg to the suburbs of Vancouver grace the Liberal government’s caucus or cabinet. The West’s dissent is systematically disregarded..Sovereigntism in the West is about a lack of democratic inclusion; fueled by economic distress exacerbated by federal policies. Alberta’s contradiction is also clear. 50 per cent are okay with independence (Angus Reid Feb 2019). 48 per cent think confederation doesn’t work, yet 64% claim pride in being Canadian (Dart Insight June 2016). .Albertans want a country that works, but are excluded. Quebecers are indifferent to the country, but are placated. .In determining its political future, Alberta must rise above the schoolyard tactics described by Mr. Turp. Yes, push back against a bully, but remain true to ourselves. Take a path defined by who we are. .Westerners want to be part of a great, prosperous and generous country where all people have a voice, heard equally and where the purpose of government is to serve all of its people..The vision is of a nation built on the purpose of equality of all citizens. That vision needs to be enunciated by new foundational documents and structures. Should that vision be rejected, then Albertans will be largely united and will know the next step. .We need to come together, tell the country what we want, and find out if we are in or out.
