While Albertans in large numbers discuss and debate independence, the only place in Alberta not discussing it, is in Alberta’s own legislature..The NDP Opposition attempted to bring a motion forward that would have seen the Legislature support unconditional federalism while flatly rejecting any discussion of independence. With all the tact and and authoritarian strong arming of the NDP that they replaced, the UCP would not even allow the issue to be debated..Premier Jason Kenney has been clear on his personal feelings about Alberta independence..“Let me be clear, not only am I a patriotic Canadian, sort of in my heart, but I also think the whole notion of separation is irrational.” .“I don’t think this is a clever tactic.”.“Look, you don’t make a threat that you’re not prepared to keep.”.The Premier is entitled to his opinion, but he dismisses nearly half of Albertans at his own peril, and is wrong to silence debate in his own ranks. Likewise, the NDP is entitled to their position, but they overstep their bounds in condemning so many Albertans for their deeply held beliefs..The rationale from the NDP house leader, clearly illustrates the disconnect between Albertans and their elected representatives, and suggest that a decision on independence should be made for us, instead of by us..“This motion will force the Premier and the UCP to finally take a stand.” .On that, the NDP might actually have a point. Premier Kenney has dog-whistled to sovereigntists to win their votes, but has done little beside sabre rattle for them. The UCP has been having its cake and eating it too, and should in fact take a clear stand one way or the other..The third party in the independence issue – the most important party that has not been consulted or directly heard from on this – would be the taxpayers of Alberta. With 87 elected representatives, it’s a sad reflection on representation that only one voice has publicly spoken on our behalf: Drew Barnes. .Red Deer UCP MLA Jason Stephan spoke out decrying the treatment Alberta has received within confederation, calling it a “rigged partnership” in which Alberta was being strangled and suffocated – comments he was quickly forced by his party to rescind. .The UCP’s election platform, “Alberta Strong and Free” that still appears on their website, should have come with an asterisk that indicates that freedom was subject to the premier’s discretion. The limitations to the freedom the UCP profess to support have become obvious..The Alberta government’s approach to a strong Alberta and freedom for Albertans has tones of Henry Ford who famously said, “A customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants, so long as it is black.” .By refusing to put the question of independence to Albertans, the premier is telling us that we have the freedom to chose, so long as it meets with his approval. These are decisions that require leadership to guide the way, but also direct democratic input from the citizenry..Rather than try to silence his MLAs on the independence issue, Kenney would be wise to encourage them to speak up. Unless these dissenting voices are intolerable, he would be better off with sovereigntists inside of the UCP tent, then bolting to the Wildrose Independence Party..That has not been the plan thus far. In the cases of both Drew Barnes and Jason Stephan, the party whip has tried to silence their voices. In the case of Barnes, it has failed..Kenney appears genuine in his beliefs as an unconditional federalist. He spent the vast majority of his adult life as an MP in Ottawa, and spending that much time in the capital inevitably results in at least some measure of Ottawashing. Similarly, Ralph Klein defined “dome disease” as an affliction on MLAs that spent too much time in Edmonton..With 45 to 48 per cent of Albertans now backing independence – but only a single MLA openly speaking about it – it is clear that some combination of Ottawashing and dome disease have infected our two big political parties. Unless they are cured soon, Albertans will be forced to seek other options..Rick Strankman is a columnist for the Western Standard and the former Wildrose MLA for Drumheller-Stettler
