Alberta Separatists Discussion Paper

By Richard Dowson Opinion/Commentary

A Maple Creek, Saskatchewan acquaintance once told me, “Doesn’t matter the topic, Albertans are always bawling like fresh weaned calves.” Now the Separatists are at it.

“Alberta Prosperity Project” Discussion Paper Released

I have not read the Alberta Prosperity Project Discussion Paper but here are a few highlights from news sources.

The Alberta Separatists, released their Discussion Paper in Airdrie, Alberta, a town near Calgary, more than 550 Km from Bonnyville, Alberta. Why not release it in Bonnyville, the home of Mitch Sylvestre, CEO of the Alberta Prosperity Project? Was it because the ‘new’ Alberta will be English only?

I lived in Northeast Alberta for several years and I know Bonnyville. The community is very proud of their French heritage. Bonnyville was named after a Catholic priest, Father Bonnin.

Bonnyville is home to École des Beaux-Lacs, a French school,grades Kindergarten to Grade 12.

The ‘English Only’ proposal might be a problem for some people in the St. Paul, Bonnyville, Cold Lake corridor along Highway 28. And what about Fahler and Girouxville, French communities in the Peace River area of Alberta?

Government Structure

The Separatists want an American style government. Not a parliamentary system like we have now. They will elect a President.

Within the government structure will be a Fourth Branch called the “Oversight Branch”. It will have two units. One in Lethbridge and one in Medicine Hat.

The Oversight Branch will have the power to, “… review proposed legislation before it appears in the house to ensure it is consistent with the ‘spirit’ of the constitution.” (Medicine Hat News)

The only governmental comparison I could find for the “Oversight Branch” was the Central Committee of a Communist Party.

Freedom

A cornerstone for the Separatists is Freedom. How ‘Free’ will Albertans be if the “Oversight Branch”, made up of a few people in Medicine Hat and Lethbridge, have the power to Veto legislation they deem not in the ‘spirit of the constitution’?

Firearms

The new country of Alberta will allow the ‘open-carry’ of firearms for self defence.

So, if I lived in the new Alberta, I could strap on a sex-shooter and take the grandkids to their favorite fast-food restaurant, knowing I am prepared to protect them if a villain barges in.

Summary

When I lived in Alberta, I squawked and bitched like everyone else. Every region seemed to have pet grievances. The north wanted this; the south that, and others wanting something else.We were always mad at the government in Ottawa. Always wanting to send a message.

However, voting for Separation to ‘send a message’ to the government in ‘Ottawa’ is dangerous. These Separatists are notsending a message. This is the real thing! Voting for Separationmeans you are leaving. It means you want an English only, and an American style government. It means you want an Oversight Branch made up of a few people in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat who can reject Legislation not in the ‘spirit of the constitution’, as they interpret it.

That is not my idea of Freedom.

Writer Richard Dowson is a retired educator.

He is known for his frequenting local coffee shops and other places seniors gather.

In a previous life he wrote comedy for CHED in Edmonton.

His views may or may not reflect the views of this publication.