Post by cameron on Jun 11, 2005 2:03:22 GMT -8
First I sent an e-mailed with this Question to this seperatist web site.
www.freealberta.com/
FreeAlberta.com "Fortis Et Liber"
I was hoping you would write a response to this written and posted by a conservative blog in Ontario.
To Albertans, and indeed to all Western Canadians, I now say: what are you waiting for? Can you now doubt that Ontario will never, ever, give you a seat at the table? Your money is taken from you, year after year, and not only have you no say in the matter, but under the current order, you never will. Make no mistake: with the new precedents of irresponsible government just set, what has been true in the past will be even truer in the future. And dissecting the events of the past two weeks, this has become clear to me: that the Stephen Harper who so closely represents you, your beliefs, and your aspirations for your future in Canada, is hated in Ontario precisely because he represents you, your beliefs and your aspirations. What does that tell you? This is the outcome of your twenty years of work in building a party, a platform, a cause that would bring you into Canada. This is the answer to “the West wants in”. So I now truly hope that the West will want out. Really, what is there here for you? Do you really want to continue to be taxed without representation, especially when so much of what you pay is handed over to others? Do you really want to continue to be despised and mocked? Do you really want to continue to elect senators who will go nowhere while Ontario Liberals send hacks of their own to the red chamber to “represent” you, and laugh in your face?
This was the response I got.
The reason why it applies to Alberta and not Western Canada (even though there is a similar (albeit lesser) anti-Ottawa sentiment) is because:
-Albertans' money is taken disproportionately. Manitoba and Saskatchewan usually benefit from Canadian transfer payments, and BC does when the NDP is in power. Alberta hasn't.
-Harper represents Albertans' beliefs, as shown by the results in the last federal election. This is less so in the rest of Western Canada.
-Albertans led the formation and building of the Reform Party.
-Albertans are much more likely to be mocked and scapegoated than any province. For example, Martin's "Western alienation" strategy was to isolate Alberta and be complimentary towards BC. And if we remember during the last election, Alberta was scapegoated for supposedly following the same programs as Quebec.
-Albertans are the only ones who have actually elected Senators.
Then I sent a couple of follow up questions.
I am trying to in a sense gage the temperature of the electorate in Alberta, from my home in the States. If you don't mind could you answer some questions that I have?
How much support do you have?
Depends by what you mean by support. I would say that a majority of Albertans (probably 85%), regardless of whether they are left-wing or right-wing are supportive of Alberta exercising her powers to eliminate the asymmetrical results of Canadian federalism.
About 60% of Albertans are probably of the view that Alberta should follow the Alberta Agenda and would support a "more Alberta, less Ottawa" approach. I think it is this 60% that eventually will have to change their minds to simply being pissed off at Canada to realizing the only hope of relieving the situation is independence. Given certain poll questions, about 60% of Albertans did say they wished to secede from Canada if Kyoto passed.
Currently, I would guess that 10%-15% of Albertans currently support independence.
What is your strategy for achieving your goals?
Personally, I believe Albertans are not informed about how badly we are getting screwed by Canada. The website is part of the educational process. I am also planning to start an Alberta based think tank, that will help accomplish this goal.
What is the time frame for achieving these goals?
Personally, I am willing to fight my entire life for it, but I don't think I'll have to. One of the reasons I moved back from Bermuda to Alberta was because I thought independence was a reasonable goal within the decade.
I support the idea of an independent Alberta but, the talk of separation has been around for some time. Why should I think you will succeed in achieving your goals?.
Albertans change their mind overnight and en masse - whether it was from the Liberal to the UFA to the Socreds to the PC party, Albertans have moved as a group from one movement to another historically. Given Klein's pending retirement, the same could happen very soon.
In terms of catalysts that could cause such a change, there are many things, such as:
-Kyoto
-Liberals retaining power after scandal after scandal
-$50+ price of oil leads to another plan to loot Alberta of her wealth
-etc.[/b][/color]
www.freealberta.com/
FreeAlberta.com "Fortis Et Liber"
I was hoping you would write a response to this written and posted by a conservative blog in Ontario.
To Albertans, and indeed to all Western Canadians, I now say: what are you waiting for? Can you now doubt that Ontario will never, ever, give you a seat at the table? Your money is taken from you, year after year, and not only have you no say in the matter, but under the current order, you never will. Make no mistake: with the new precedents of irresponsible government just set, what has been true in the past will be even truer in the future. And dissecting the events of the past two weeks, this has become clear to me: that the Stephen Harper who so closely represents you, your beliefs, and your aspirations for your future in Canada, is hated in Ontario precisely because he represents you, your beliefs and your aspirations. What does that tell you? This is the outcome of your twenty years of work in building a party, a platform, a cause that would bring you into Canada. This is the answer to “the West wants in”. So I now truly hope that the West will want out. Really, what is there here for you? Do you really want to continue to be taxed without representation, especially when so much of what you pay is handed over to others? Do you really want to continue to be despised and mocked? Do you really want to continue to elect senators who will go nowhere while Ontario Liberals send hacks of their own to the red chamber to “represent” you, and laugh in your face?
This was the response I got.
The reason why it applies to Alberta and not Western Canada (even though there is a similar (albeit lesser) anti-Ottawa sentiment) is because:
-Albertans' money is taken disproportionately. Manitoba and Saskatchewan usually benefit from Canadian transfer payments, and BC does when the NDP is in power. Alberta hasn't.
-Harper represents Albertans' beliefs, as shown by the results in the last federal election. This is less so in the rest of Western Canada.
-Albertans led the formation and building of the Reform Party.
-Albertans are much more likely to be mocked and scapegoated than any province. For example, Martin's "Western alienation" strategy was to isolate Alberta and be complimentary towards BC. And if we remember during the last election, Alberta was scapegoated for supposedly following the same programs as Quebec.
-Albertans are the only ones who have actually elected Senators.
Then I sent a couple of follow up questions.
I am trying to in a sense gage the temperature of the electorate in Alberta, from my home in the States. If you don't mind could you answer some questions that I have?
How much support do you have?
Depends by what you mean by support. I would say that a majority of Albertans (probably 85%), regardless of whether they are left-wing or right-wing are supportive of Alberta exercising her powers to eliminate the asymmetrical results of Canadian federalism.
About 60% of Albertans are probably of the view that Alberta should follow the Alberta Agenda and would support a "more Alberta, less Ottawa" approach. I think it is this 60% that eventually will have to change their minds to simply being pissed off at Canada to realizing the only hope of relieving the situation is independence. Given certain poll questions, about 60% of Albertans did say they wished to secede from Canada if Kyoto passed.
Currently, I would guess that 10%-15% of Albertans currently support independence.
What is your strategy for achieving your goals?
Personally, I believe Albertans are not informed about how badly we are getting screwed by Canada. The website is part of the educational process. I am also planning to start an Alberta based think tank, that will help accomplish this goal.
What is the time frame for achieving these goals?
Personally, I am willing to fight my entire life for it, but I don't think I'll have to. One of the reasons I moved back from Bermuda to Alberta was because I thought independence was a reasonable goal within the decade.
I support the idea of an independent Alberta but, the talk of separation has been around for some time. Why should I think you will succeed in achieving your goals?.
Albertans change their mind overnight and en masse - whether it was from the Liberal to the UFA to the Socreds to the PC party, Albertans have moved as a group from one movement to another historically. Given Klein's pending retirement, the same could happen very soon.
In terms of catalysts that could cause such a change, there are many things, such as:
-Kyoto
-Liberals retaining power after scandal after scandal
-$50+ price of oil leads to another plan to loot Alberta of her wealth
-etc.[/b][/color]