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National Post
21 hours ago
- Politics
- National Post
Mark Milke: Why the West's separatists could be just a big a threat as Quebec's
In light of the poor showing by separatist candidates in recent Alberta byelections, pundits and politicians will be tempted to again dismiss threats of western separatism as over-hyped, and too tiny to be taken seriously, just as they did before and after the April 28 federal election. Article content Much of the initial skepticism came after former Leader of the Opposition Preston Manning authored a column arguing that some in central Canada never see western populism coming. He cited separatist sympathies as the newest example. Article content Article content In response, (non-central Canadian!) Jamie Sarkonak argued that, based upon Alberta's landlocked reality and poll numbers (37 per cent Alberta support for the 'idea' of separation with 25 per cent when asked if a referendum were held 'today'), western separation was a 'fantasy' that 'shouldn't be taken seriously.' The Globe and Mail's Andrew Coyne, noting similar polling, opined that 'Mr. Manning does not offer much evidence for his thesis that 'support for Western secession is growing.'' Article content Article content Prime Minister Mark Carney labelled Manning's column ' dramatic.' Toronto Star columnist David Olive was condescending. Alberta is 'giving me a headache,' he wrote. He argued the federal government's financing of 'a $34.2-billion expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline (TMX)' as a reason Albertans should be grateful. If not, wrote Olive, perhaps it was time for Albertans to 'wave goodbye' to Canada. Article content As a non-separatist, born-and-bred British Columbian, who has also spent a considerable part of his life in Alberta, I can offer this advice: Downplaying western frustrations — and the poll numbers — is a mistake. Article content Article content One reason is because support for western separation in at least two provinces, Alberta and Saskatchewan, is nearing where separatist sentiment was in Quebec in the 1970s. Article content Article content In our new study comparing recent poll numbers from four firms (Angus Reid Institute, Innovative Research Group, Leger, and Mainstreet Research), the range of support in recent months for separation from Canada in some fashion is as follows, from low to high: Manitoba (6 per cent to 12 per cent); B.C. (nine per cent to 20 per cent); Saskatchewan (20 per cent to 33 per cent) and Alberta (18 per cent to 36.5 per cent). Quebec support for separation was in a narrow band between 27 per cent and 30 per cent. Article content What such polling shows is that, at least at the high end, support for separating from Canada is now higher in Saskatchewan and Alberta than in Quebec. Article content Another, even more revealing comparison is how western separatist sentiment now is nearing actual Quebec votes for separatism or separatist parties back five decades ago. The separatist Parti Québécois won the 1976 Quebec election with just over 41 per cent of the vote. In the 1980 Quebec referendum on separation, 'only' 40 per cent voted for sovereignty association with Canada (a form of separation, loosely defined). Those percentages were eclipsed by 1995, when separation/sovereignty association side came much closer to winning with 49.4 per cent of the vote.
Calgary Herald
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Mike Harcourt: Alberta's getting tiresome. A call for unity and collaboration in Canada
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and former Reform party leader Preston Manning, along with other Alberta commentators, are getting tiresome about threatening to separate from Canada. Article content Article content Not to mention arrogantly lumping B.C. into a so-called 'West.' Article content Alberta cannot, will not, separate. Indigenous leaders in Alberta have made that clear. Article content Over 70 per cent of Albertans don't want to separate. Article content Article content Also, Alberta is landlocked and needs access across Canada for its oil and gas, agricultural products and pipelines. Article content Article content Alberta has seen LNG pipelines built or soon to be built in northern B.C. The expansion of Trans Mountain's oil pipeline through southern B.C. has increased its capacity to transfer Alberta oil from 300,000 barrels per day to 890,000. Article content As well, an oil pipeline from Alberta through Quebec to St. John, New Brunswick's Irving refinery would allow Alberta oil to be sent to Europe and elsewhere. Article content U.S. President Donald Trump is resurrecting the Keystone pipeline project to send more Alberta oil to the Koch Industries refineries in the central U.S. Article content Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed Tim Hodgson as minister of energy and natural resources, with a mandate to deliver on major pipelines and other national energy and economic infrastructure. The prime minister has also committed to streamlining approval processes, combining federal and provincial approaches at the same time. Article content Article content So, Alberta, quit your whining. Article content Also, stop talking about the alienated West. The 'West' doesn't exist. Canada is divided into five regions: Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, the Prairies (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta), plus B.C., Canada's front door to the Pacific and Asia. Article content B.C.'s premiers, from W.A.C. Bennett to David Eby, have consistently and persistently tried to make B.C.'s status clear. Article content Listen to us in B.C. We don't want to separate. Article content Instead, we want to help Carney and provincial premiers build a prosperous, strong and independent Canada — plus minimize Trump's tariff threats, his erratic and bullying ways, including taunts about Canada being a 51st state. Article content So, Alberta, stop you whining and posturing. Join Team Canada.
Edmonton Journal
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Mike Harcourt: Alberta's getting tiresome. A call for unity and collaboration in Canada
Article content Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and former Reform party leader Preston Manning, along with other Alberta commentators, are getting tiresome about threatening to separate from Canada. Not to mention arrogantly lumping B.C. into a so-called 'West.' Alberta cannot, will not, separate. Indigenous leaders in Alberta have made that clear. Over 70 per cent of Albertans don't want to separate.
Vancouver Sun
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Mike Harcourt: Alberta's getting tiresome. A call for unity and collaboration in Canada
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and former Reform party leader Preston Manning, along with other Alberta commentators, are getting tiresome about threatening to separate from Canada. Not to mention arrogantly lumping B.C. into a so-called 'West.' Alberta cannot, will not, separate. Indigenous leaders in Alberta have made that clear. Over 70 per cent of Albertans don't want to separate. Also, Alberta is landlocked and needs access across Canada for its oil and gas, agricultural products and pipelines. A daily roundup of Opinion pieces from the Sun and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Informed Opinion will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Alberta has seen LNG pipelines built or soon to be built in northern B.C. The expansion of Trans Mountain's oil pipeline through southern B.C. has increased its capacity to transfer Alberta oil from 300,000 barrels per day to 890,000. As well, an oil pipeline from Alberta through Quebec to St. John, New Brunswick's Irving refinery would allow Alberta oil to be sent to Europe and elsewhere. U.S. President Donald Trump is resurrecting the Keystone pipeline project to send more Alberta oil to the Koch Industries refineries in the central U.S. Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed Tim Hodgson as minister of energy and natural resources, with a mandate to deliver on major pipelines and other national energy and economic infrastructure. The prime minister has also committed to streamlining approval processes, combining federal and provincial approaches at the same time. So, Alberta, quit your whining. Also, stop talking about the alienated West. The 'West' doesn't exist. Canada is divided into five regions: Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, the Prairies (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta), plus B.C., Canada's front door to the Pacific and Asia. B.C.'s premiers, from W.A.C. Bennett to David Eby, have consistently and persistently tried to make B.C.'s status clear. Listen to us in B.C. We don't want to separate. Instead, we want to help Carney and provincial premiers build a prosperous, strong and independent Canada — plus minimize Trump's tariff threats, his erratic and bullying ways, including taunts about Canada being a 51st state. So, Alberta, stop you whining and posturing. Join Team Canada. If you want to criticize this former B.C. premier for chastising you, be aware that I was born in Edmonton. My mother is from Lethbridge. My father's from Calgary. Our families have been in Alberta as long as the Lougheeds — since the 1890s. Alberta, get with helping build the Canada we want for our children and grandchildren. Mike Harcourt is a former mayor of Vancouver and former premier of B.C.
Globe and Mail
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Letters to the editor, May 21: ‘As predictable as the sunrise: an early elimination of the Leafs … and the election of another Liberal government'
Re 'Separate out' (Letters, May 16): So now we have Preston Manning, still with matches in hand, suggesting that the forest fire he's tried to light can best be contained with Danielle Smith's referendum backfire strategy. Here's hoping that strategy backfires. Steve Pedretti Toronto I was pleased to read the sensible comments regarding Alberta separation by Jason Kenney and ATCO CEO Nancy Southern; much less so those of Preston Manning, who attempts a firefighting metaphor to justify Danielle Smith's words and actions. But firefighters would never deliberately make it easier for a fire to start in the first place. They would have no hesitation in saying that, after all, their goal is to put it out. Jamie Syer Mountain View County, Alta. A letter-writer from Saskatchewan asks if he is an 'owner' of Alberta. I say yes, and so is every other Canadian. Canada financed Alberta's development and connected it to the rest of the world, importing people and exporting its bountiful resources. All Canadians, through their elected representatives, would have to agree to any change to Alberta's status as a province within the federation. Until then, nobody's going anywhere. Jeremy Klein Ottawa Re 'Canada Post receives strike notice, workers set to walk out on Friday' (Report on Business, May 20): Here we go again, another strike that seems to ignore the seriousness and causes of the situation Canada Post faces going forward. Times, technologies and business models change all the time, and neither Canada Post nor the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have dealt with the problem in a timely fashion. I think the reality is that we do not need home delivery, and we probably don't need deliveries more than twice a week. Shift and work flexibility are likely required, along with a timeline to either adapt successfully or wind up the business. We cannot afford the current system. Richard Dean Sidney, B.C. Re 'Mark Carney's bulky and performative cabinet' (May 14): What is considered 'performative' seems to be the 'identity politics' of 'reinstituted ministers responsible for women and gender equality, seniors, children and youth.' As the term 'performative' is defined as something 'not sincere but intended to impress someone, prove something is true,' might the trade- and commerce-heavy cabinet also demonstrate the current desperate desire to exhibit a new concept of 'economy-signalling?' Chester Fedoruk Toronto Re 'The new math – the Carney math – of the new government" (Report on Business, May 16): The new cabinet is referred to as 'bloated' because there are 28 ministers and 10 junior ministers. Does it matter what we call them? If there weren't 'junior ministers,' would there not have to be 'senior associate assistants' or some such? If Mark Carney had named only 20 ministers, would that be 'lean?' Doesn't the same work still have to get done? This debate reminds me of the old story about the guy buying a pizza: When the cook asks if he wants it cut into eight pieces, the fellow says, 'Oh, I'm not that hungry. Better cut it in four.' Bob Rafuse Beaconsfield, Que. Yes, it looks like the old Ford Model T, same as before. But let's give Canadians an opportunity to open up the hood for themselves: There is a brand new engine inside. Let newly elected Mark Carney, with experience in crisis management, select the people he feels he needs. Robert Marcucci Toronto I recall some years ago visiting the British cabinet war rooms under Whitehall in London. The war cabinet had five chairs at the table. Just saying. A.S. Brown Kingston As predictable as the sunrise: An early elimination of the Leafs from playoff contention, with solemn promises of big changes to come, and the election of another Liberal government – with solemn promises of big changes to come. Even with a change of 'coaches' and the optimistic prospect of renewal, many of us pretend it will be different. But I can see it coming a mile away: the myopic focus on individual stats, or the convening of a comically wonky cabinet. I am now inured to the idea of such predictable mediocrity deriving from two groups who never seem to manage to equal the sum of their component parts. We might be fooled yet again, but I think the certainty of knowing the ultimate inadequacy of both teams makes the eventual failure oddly reassuring. Dave McClurg Calgary Re 'After another Leafs playoff failure, let The Core Four era end' (Sports, May 20): I am not upset that the Leafs lost Game 7, it's that I am disappointed at how they played. Laurie Kochen Toronto I don't pretend to be a hockey mastermind, but I have wondered for several years why the Leafs haven't gotten rid of one or more of the Core Four. In spite of the brilliance of each player separately, their collective radiance hasn't jelled. I was around the last time the Leafs won the Stanley Cup in 1967. It was a disappointing moment for a young Habs fan to watch the great George Armstrong hoist the vessel and parade it around the arena. Things have changed hundreds of times since then, but the definition of failure remains doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. The Leafs should jettison that 'wisdom' and trade or buy out a couple of the Core Four. A move like that would cause the entire bench to give its collective head a hard wake-up shake. Nancy Marley-Clarke Cochrane, Alta. My late dad George adored the Buds. Family first, the Leafs a close second. Growing up in the 1950s, George's father was an academic type who couldn't understand the infatuation with the Leafs. So, logically, his father thought it would be good to take him to a game to see for himself it wasn't anything special. I'm glad my Dad didn't see fans throwing jerseys at Game 7. Frustration sure, but that's just disrespectful to all involved. Shame on them. Squeezing the sticks, melting under pressure: Yes, but that is a common thing and only the eventual champion can say they overcame these natural tendencies. I believe the Leafs will get there sometime soon, and it will be sweet. Can't wait. Love to the Leafs, love to Dad. Roger Wright Tokyo With the Leafs eliminated yet again, have they announced the date that ticket prices will be hiked for next season? Ian Campbell Toronto Letters to the Editor should be exclusive to The Globe and Mail. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. Keep letters to 150 words or fewer. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To submit a letter by e-mail, click here: letters@
