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Bell: Alberta independence vote — Smith UCP insider says, 'People are ticked off and want a say'
Buckle up. A probable vote on Alberta independence will be a wild ride
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Joseph Schow is the legislature quarterback for Premier Danielle Smith and the UCP government.
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He’s right in the middle of the political action.
Bell: Alberta independence vote — Smith UCP insider says, 'People are ticked off and want a say' Back to video
Schow isn’t quoted a lot in this column but when he is he speaks what’s on his mind.
There is a lot to speak about this day.
After all, there is now a very good chance Albertans will vote in October on Alberta independence.
Those supporting splitting from Canada claim they have gathered enough signatures to have that vote.
Is Alberta in or out of Canada?
On this day, Schow recalls how when he was growing up every time he walked into his grandfather’s house he would see a well-worn cartoon from bygone days.
It is the cartoon of a cow where the West feeds the cow and the East milks it.
Not much has changed.
“People in Alberta are rightfully upset by the way they’ve been treated by the federal government for decades.
“After 10 years of Justin Trudeau it’s come to a head. People are angry and they want to be heard. They are sick and tired of how Ottawa has treated us.
“They are ticked off and they want a say.”
This is what Schow hears from the people he represents in southern Alberta.
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Majority of Albertans oppose separating from Canada: Leger poll
'I take that personally': First Nations leaders gather at the legislature to pressure UCP to denounce separatism
So Premier Smith set up a process where if you got enough signatures on a petition you could put a question on a ballot and Albertans could vote on it.
If an October vote on Alberta separating from Canada goes ahead, those who want to be heard may or may not support independence.
Schow says most folks in his neck of the woods are keeping where they stand “closer to the chest.”
But for those who want a vote on Alberta independence, many want Alberta to leave Canada.
Others want to send Liberal Ottawa a smack-upside-the-head message.
Still others will be at the point in their thinking where they just want the question of Alberta independence considered and debated in front of all Albertans.
“They like the fact there’s a process in place where they get to feel heard through direct democracy. They have not had that for a very long time.”
On Tuesday, the Alberta NDP and their leader Naheed Nenshi were into their stomp the separatists song and dance while accusing Premier Smith of pandering to separatists.
On the same day, Smith once again says she and her government will make the case for Alberta staying a Canadian province and working on dealing with the “legitimate grievances of Albertans.”
If the campaign for and against Alberta independence gets the green light one thing is certain.
The chattering classes, the know-it-alls, the look-down-their-noses self-styled smart set will slime anyone thinking about Alberta independence or even wanting to chew over the issue.
Schow is not impressed.
“I’m trying to find a word stronger than disrespectful but it is so disrespectful,” says Schow.
“This isn’t one small ideological group that feels alienated by Ottawa.
“These are doctors, these are dentists, these are pharmacy owners, these are farmers, these are teachers and they all feel very strongly about the way they’ve been treated by Ottawa.
“There are very level-headed smart people I know who have strong opinions about this.
“For journalists in Ottawa or politicians in Ottawa to write op-eds about this group of people they think are uneducated or lack any couth, they fail to understand just because you’re in Ottawa and part of the Laurentian elite doesn’t mean you know everything.”
Schow talks about those coming home from work, turning on the TV and listening to talking heads and they’re talking about you as some kind of backyard country hillbilly.
“It couldn’t be more offensive.”
If independence is on the ballot, it will be one hell of a debate.
Keith Wilson, a noted Edmonton lawyer and one smart cookie, is going to give it his best shot.
An advocate for Alberta independence, Wilson will tangle with former Alberta premier Jason Kenney who definitely knows his way on a debate stage.
Wilson says if the vote was today Alberta independence would not win a clear majority.
But the vote isn’t today. It would be in October.
Wilson sees Albertans divided in thirds.
One third wants to stay in Canada. One third wants independence. One third is undecided or not engaged on the issue yet.
Those are the people to win over and convince to turn out to vote.
Wilson sees Alberta’s strengths and values becoming ever more obvious combined with “the decline of Canada, both economically and socially.”
“It’s going to motivate the undecided, unengaged third to come out and vote in October.”
Buckle up, folks. It’s going to be quite the ride.
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