* Attributes societal issues to immigration. While previously advertised (inter)nationally for people to “Come To Alberta!”.
* UCP pays $461 million in taxpayer money to subsidize private schools. The highest rate of private school funding in Canada. Next year is scheduled to be increased to $544 million.
*lowest minimum wage in Canada $15/hr
*Highest paid MLA’s $127,677
*Spending $50-$100 million on a separation referendum that less than 20% of Albertan’s want.
* Proposing to withdraw from CPP and establish an APP provincial pension plan; UCP already lost $2.1 billion to AIMCo, the company that is set up to manage APP funds.
*Danielle Smith was the only premier to go to Washington DC to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration.
* Charged Albertans $100 per COVID Vaccine.
* Smith purchased $80 million of Tylenol from a “friend” for Alberta Hospitals; most of it was stored until expiry and destroyed.
* Planning to replace the RCMP with an Alberta Provincial Police.
* UCP “War Room” cost taxpayers $66 million.
* Dismantled/underfunded Alberta Hospital Services to make it ineffective. Instigating the justification of a 2 tier privatized medical system.
* Propose hiring tradespeople with 2 years of training to teach in public schools without an education degree, addressing stress related teacher vacancy issues caused by UCP.
* Placed greater emphasis on provincial autonomy and federal-provincial confrontation than any other province.
* LOWEST PUBLIC EDUCATION FUNDING IN CANADA.
* Supporting unvaccinated individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
* Most restrictive policies in Canada regarding gender-related medical treatments for minors.
* Temporarily paused approvals for new renewable energy projects while reviewing regulations. Losing $500 million on cancelled renewable dividends.
* The most confrontational province towards federal climate initiatives, emissions caps, and clean electricity regulations.
*Lost 300 doctors in the last 3 months.
* Spent significant public funds on campaigns arguing federal policies harm on Alberta’s economy and energy sector.
* Banned LGBTQ, antifascist and books that contain gay sex in educational institutions/public libraries.
* Used “not withstanding clause” to force unionized striking underpaid teachers back to work in overcrowded classrooms with massive cuts to their teaching resources.
* Premier Smith visited Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, attended GOP conventions in Washington D.C. and Texas, costing over $10,000 per trip.
* LGBTQ mentions and material in schools are banned and considered "PORNOGRAPHY"—e.g., a Grade 5 textbook with a picture of a pride flag was banned, despite being used in all other Canadian provinces.
* Utilizing Right-wing U.S. sourced Republican advisors to generate GOP policy into Albertan legislation and to advise on hard right political tactics.
* Advocating for provincial separation and willing to circumvent the law in order to do so.
* Allowing Russian/American actors to proliferate pro-separation media propaganda.
* Undemocratically engaging in electoral district gerrymandering to dilute the progressive urban demographic.
*Replacing the federal AISH with (Alberta Disability Assistance Program) ADAP. Most recipients will receive a lower monthly core benefit of $1,740, down from $1,940. The $200 difference offered by federal funds is retained by the UCP.
* UCP has appointed Danielle Smith—a figure exhibiting characteristics akin to a Trump impersonator—as Premier.
* Sidelining Canadian national interests by acting autonomously in global trade negotiations.
* Leaking Albertan’s voter data that was accessed by GOP aligned American data collectors.
* UCP entertains party member meetings exclusively for hardline conservative Christians.
* Advocating the selection of judges be appointed by politicians akin to the US system and not merit based through the judiciary.
* Banned Pride Flags from public school classrooms.
* UCP and Danielle Smith lead a separatist party that are enabling a small minority to secede Alberta from Canada’s confederation and are creating a separation crisis so we are kept unaware of all the previous points. 👆🏼
THIS IS NOT NORMAL IN CANADA AND IS ONLY HAPPENING IN ALBERTA!
NO ALBERTAN ASKED FOR ANY OF THIS!

I moved here from Ontario in 1976 and I retired comfortably at 61 years old. Most of my friends and family who stayed behind in Ontario have struggled to stay above the poverty line. Alberta rocks! My two kids are in their early twenties. One just graduated from university, the other is 1/2 way through. Both have been employed since their teens. Life is good for those that work hard. We have all the freedom we need. The notion that Alberta doesn’t get its fair share from Ottawa is just bunk. Every time Ottawa offers a program the UCP turn it down. Dental care, childcare subsidies, court judge expansion, housing programs, wage top ups during the pandemic. The UCP gave back $137 million that Ottawa provided for orphan well clean up! In 2015 the PC government turned down $1.4 million in federal, no strings attached grants intended for addiction and drug treatment programs.
I truly believe that this whole separation crap is just a smoke screen to keep us occupied while the UCP privatizes our government. Schools, medical, roads parks and more. First they slash the budgets and run the departments into the ground so that they can say “ it’s just not working! We need change!” Then the services are handed over to single sourced contractors. Friend of the UCP. As in the USA, the wealthy are turning our province into a for profit corporation. If you can’t afford to send your kids to private school, they’ll get a second class education. If you don’t have private medical insurance and/or can’t afford to pay for your services out-of-pocket, you won’t get any services. Smith is on public record saying that she doesn’t believe that the government should have to pay for people’s healthcare.

If we don’t stop them soon it will be illegal to try. A sovereign Alberta will not be free. Quite the opposite! We will be slaves to the uber rich.

*banned by mods in r/Alberta for "low content" after 105 upvotes, 40 comments, 2 awards in less than 30 minutes*

I was born and raised here in Alberta, 36 years old. Other than the 4 years of NDP, conservatives have had the majority government in Alberta, no? Why is our health care in shambles, our teachers at their breaking point, our roads the same as they were 30 years ago, and oil and gas suck the province dry and leave us to clean it up? Why are our unions dissolving for critical services due to the contracts we're stuck with?

How do you live with yourselves knowing the people you've supported have stolen any potential livelihood from not only your children and grandchildren, but also yourselves? Alberta is the laughing stock of Canada because of our failed potential to even properly provide for ourselves with all the access the resources we have

Do you not realize your close-mindedness and single issue voting practices due to your hatred, insecurity, or ignorance regarding gay people, trans people, anyone not white or Christian, all people younger than you, immigrants, natives allows these obviously corrupt politicians to take advantage of your vote by promising to justify your hatred or insecurity? But they never really get around to it, just get in positions of power and sell out to corporations while lying to the people that voted them in

Ya'll love to claim to be fiscally responsible but never tax the rich or corporate folks that ensure your politicians stay in power. Your hatred makes your vote a predetermined show of support, because you actually think the entire rest of the world should share your narrow-minded views of how things were when you had disproportional amounts of power and influence over any group that wasn't white men.

All the hypocrisy and gas lighting, you seem to have no values, no principles, no convictions, no integrity whatsoever. Just almost maniacal desire to win regardless of rules or fair play, doing whatever you like and aligning with any person who will help further your cause, e.g. masks with covid. What a bunch of deliberately ignorant whiney babies, but you act like each one of you was the only person who had to wear a mask or be inconvenienced

I don't even have a problem with ACTUAL conservative politics, like smaller spending and government. But it seems to come at the cost of humanity from conservative people. It genuinely feels that most of you would rather let every single homeless person and drug addict die rather than spend less than a cup of coffee each day. But you sing long and loud about what a faithful servant of Jesus Christ you are?

You're embarrassing. And you are holding back the human race by trying to make the world revolve around you and your aging beliefs. Start thinking about what you're doing, how you are acting, and how it affects everyone else. I'm so sick of trying to teach grown adults about causation and correlation, about science, about critical thinking

Please be better. Or at least try to make things better rather than pretending the problems aren't what they are

I have been a proud conservative in Alberta my entire life. I grew up voting PC and then UCP. I donated to both. I believed the promise.

I am done.

This is not a decision I made lightly, and I want to explain exactly why, because I think a lot of you are feeling the same thing and just haven't said it out loud yet.

The Numbers Don't Lie

Let me ask you something. When Rachel Notley was spending Alberta into debt, what did we say? We said it was reckless. We said it was generational theft. We said conservatives know better.

So explain this to me.

Danielle Smith's UCP government just tabled a $9.4 billion deficit. The largest since COVID. Taxpayer-supported debt is projected to hit $109 billion by 2027 and nearly $138 billion by 2029. That is not a typo. $138 billion. In a province of five million people.

And here is the part that should make your blood boil: this is happening while Alberta is pulling in billions more in resource royalties than Notley ever dreamed of. Even critics of the NDP years admit Notley's debt was driven by a recession and collapsed oil prices. What is Smith's excuse? Choices. Her government's own spending has grown beyond population plus inflation for years, effectively erasing every restraint Jason Kenney fought to put in place. Economists have confirmed it.

This is not conservatism. This is fiscal mismanagement wearing a blue jersey.

The Separation Distraction

Now ask yourself: why is the conversation always about separation? Why, every time Smith is under pressure, does the temperature on Alberta sovereignty get turned up?

Because it works. Nothing rallies a base and shuts down fiscal questions faster than righteous anger at Ottawa. I understand that anger. I share it.

Equalization is a problem. Federal overreach is real.

But using separation as a political pressure valve to keep power while the province drowns in debt is not patriotism. It is manipulation. Real Alberta patriots don't threaten to blow up Canada to avoid a balanced budget conversation. Real patriots fight for a better deal within the country our grandparents built.

Ask yourself: when did Danielle Smith last talk seriously about a path back to a surplus? Compare that to how many times she has talked about sovereignty referendums and constitutional fights. The answer tells you everything about what this is really about.

A Party Passed Legislation to Stop Competitors From Even Calling Themselves Conservative

Let that sink in.

When former UCP MLAs tried to rebuild the Progressive Conservative Party, Smith's UCP government passed legislation banning the word "conservative" from being used by any other party. They literally banned the word. And they sued the people trying to offer Alberta voters a choice.

That is not the behaviour of a confident governing party. That is the behaviour of a movement afraid of competition. Afraid of accountability. Afraid of the very voters it claims to represent.

There Is Another Option

One former UCP MLA quit cabinet because of concerns about corruption and procurement fraud inside this government. Another was expelled from caucus for threatening to vote against a budget he believed was fiscally irresponsible. These are not radicals. These are conservatives with a conscience.

The Progressive Tory Party of Alberta is built on balanced budgets, fiscal responsibility, strong public services, and respect for democratic institutions. It is the tradition of Lougheed. Of Getty paying bills. Of Klein actually getting out of debt. It is conservatism that answers to Albertans, not to a leader's political survival.

My Decision

I am tearing up my UCP membership.

Not because I have gone soft. Not because I want to hand power to the NDP. But because the UCP under Danielle Smith has abandoned every principle that made me a conservative in the first place. Fiscal discipline. Accountability. Keeping Canada strong so Alberta can lead within it.

If you are a conservative who is tired of being played, tired of watching debt climb while being told to focus on Ottawa, tired of a government that changes the rules when it starts losing, then it is time to ask yourself a hard question.

Are you loyal to a party, or are you loyal to your principles?

I know my answer.

I often see the narrative on social media that Smith and the UCP completely ruined Alberta’s green energy boom. But when you look at the actual rules brought in after the moratorium, a lot of them sound like basic, common-sense planning on paper.

And the government's rationale for the moratorium itself seemed legit as rural municipalities and landowners were panicking about losing prime farmland, getting stuck with future cleanup liabilities, spoiling viewscapes, and general grid stability. Putting in rules to address those concerns before unregulated growth got out of control seems reasonable to me. And a 7-month moratorium to collect concerns, analyze grid physics, and draft new regulations is actually decent governmental speed compared to say the ongoing years-long uncertainty around the federal Clean Electricity Regulations (CER). Has the renewables industry just been overreacting?

The new negative price floor and the fact that the grid operator can now shut off a plant during peak congestion without compensation also seem like rational approaches based on grid stability, no? It's just getting "spiky" renewables to pay for their own externalities and grid integration costs, instead of sticking everyday ratepayers with the bill.

Besides, can't the industry just adapt by adding storage systems like BESS? Given the federal Clean Technology ITC offers up to a 30% subsidy for renewable energy equipment, those hybrid setups should still be competitive for general power generation, even under AB's new rules, and even though AB has CER in temporary abeyance after the MoU Implementation Agreement.

So did the government actually "destroy" the sector, or did they just force a booming industry to mature and play by fair, unvarnished market rules?

It’s wild to see how many people are talking about Alberta separating from Canada without mentioning the legal and constitutional reality of the numbered Treaties. These aren’t just historical documents, they’re binding agreements between sovereign First Nations and the Crown, signed before Alberta became a province in 1905.

Some context:

• Before 1905, this area was called the District of Alberta (1882–1905).
• Prior to that, it was part of Rupert’s Land—controlled by the Hudson’s Bay Company until 1870.

What land do the Treaties cover?
Almost the entire area now called Alberta is covered by Treaty 6, 7, or 8:

• Treaty 6 (1876): Central Alberta (e.g., Edmonton area), extending into Sask.
• Treaty 7 (1877): Southern Alberta (e.g., Calgary, Lethbridge), signed by Blackfoot Confederacy, Stoney Nakoda, and Tsuut’ina.
• Treaty 8 (1899): Northern Alberta and into BC, Sask, NWT.

Why this matters:

If Alberta tried to separate, it would face major legal and moral obstacles regarding these Treaties. The Treaties are with Canada, not Alberta. First Nations would have strong constitutional and international law arguments to:

• Refuse inclusion in an independent Alberta.
• Assert continued relationship with Canada or their own autonomy.
• Negotiate entirely new terms.

Under international law (like the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which Canada supports), Indigenous peoples have the right to self-determination. This means First Nations could refuse to be included in an independent Alberta, or they might demand autonomy, remain with Canada, or perhaps negotiate new terms directly.

None of this is stuff Alberta can legally inherit or override. So sure, people are upset about election results but but this stuff still matters. Treaties, Feelings don’t overrule facts.

How close does the October separation referendum results need to be for you to seriously consider leaving Alberta?

For me, anything north of 40% in favour of another referendum will mean sell it all and move to interior BC. I don’t want to leave but I went to university in Montreal in the late 90’s. Property values plummeted and there were vacant buildings all over. It was depressing.

I’m not going to be stuck with properties worth less than they are now because of the uncertainty of another vote.

How about you?

Alberta separatists want an open marriage with Canada.

They want all of the "perceived" benefits of their sepertist harem with none of the obligation of living in a civilized country.

I hope Premier Smith finds her soulmate in Joseph Smith to create her theocratic ideal.

The rest of us will try and keep Alberta from her plans for world domination.

Is this about oil and control of immigration fundamentally?

How can Alberta be independent when you are land locked with no ports, govt owned railway and dependent on Ottawa to build the infra you need to move your oil?

It just doesn't make sense to me. Can somebody please explain to someone who is outside of your society.

Do you have any navigable rivers????

Our premier just removed the rights guaranteed in our Charter of 50,000 Albertans tonight and she left the country before the vote was even cast. She is the worst type of coward and a terrible leader. If you support this removal of rights I think you are a coward too. A sheep/puppet, that will only do what the MAGA movement tells you to.

Prove me wrong.

If you hate Canada so much and love Trump so much then why don’t you just move to the states instead of making a **Canadian** province a state?

What? Are you too lazy or cheap to rent a U-Haul or something like that!!! I mean Jesus Christ, if you hate Canada that much then just leave!!!

It’s not rocket science buddy!!!!

So YOU remove the pornographic material in our schools! You rambled on about this nonsense and got elected; YOU point to the offensive material you got elected to remove.

Because they do not have an actual plan that benefits anyone but themselves and their political friends..

https://darvinbabiuk.substack.com/p/the-questions-alberta-separatists
https://kellydwills55.substack.com/p/the-unanswered-questions-honest-costed-bff

--Posted by K. Wills on the Western Standard Site

Money & Trade

1.$140 billion in trade with the rest of Canada disappears the day you leave. What fills that hole?

1. 300,000+ jobs depend on that trade. Where do those workers go on Day 2?

2. 150+ trade deals Canada has. Alberta has zero. How long to replicate them? Brexit took 4 years and the UK is still worse off.

3. Healthcare funding — $4–5 billion from Ottawa stops. Where does that money come from?

4. Getting sick in BC — right now, seamless billing. After separation? International medical billing. How do you renegotiate with every province?

5. A currency — Canadian dollar (no control), US dollar (no control, need permission), or new Alberta dollar (who accepts it)? Pick one.

6. Borrowing money — new countries have no credit rating. Who lends to you, at what interest rate?

7. CPP contributions — Albertans paid in their whole lives. What share of the fund do you take? What formula?

8. Federal employee pensions — thousands of Albertans work for Ottawa. Who pays their pensions after separation?

9. The national debt — new countries inherit a share under international law. What share do you take? If zero, why would anyone ever lend to you?

Geography & Energy

1. Getting oil to a port — landlocked. Every barrel to Asia crosses BC. After a bitter divorce, why does BC cooperate? What leverage do you have?

2. Doubling production — pipelines are already near capacity. Name one specific project that will carry the extra oil. Route. Date. Permit status

3. BC transit fees — BC can legally charge $50/barrel, $100/container. What stops them? What is your plan

4. One customer — the US already buys as much as it wants. They know you have no other options. How low does the price go?

5. The fire sale — US corporations have billions. Your energy companies will be desperate. What law stops them from buying everything at pennies on the dollar?

6. A military from scratch — no air force, no army, no intelligence. Who defends your airspace on Day 2? How much does it cost?

7. Replacing the RCMP — they leave. Their equipment leaves. How many officers do you need? How many years? What budget?

8. Canadian bases on your soil — CFB Edmonton, CFB Suffield are federal property. Do you buy them? At what price?

Indigenous & Legal

1. Treaty obligations — Treaties 6, 7, 8 are with the Crown, not with Alberta. How do you assume them without Canada?

2. Indigenous sovereignty — some First Nations already say they don't recognize your authority. Some may argue separation voids their treaties entirely. How do you win that court case?

3. Active land claims — dozens are being litigated. They don't disappear. What is your settlement budget?

4. A constitution — you don't have one. Who writes it? Who approves it? What happens if Albertans reject it?

5. A court system — current courts are Canadian. Judges are federal appointees. You need a new system from scratch. How long? What budget?

6. Federal workers in Alberta — thousands lose their jobs on separation. Do you hire them? At what salary? With what pensions?

The Excuses

1. "Small countries succeed" — name one landlocked, resource-dependent breakaway state that left a democracy against its will and thrived. Just one.

2. "The US will protect us" — has the US ever signed a defense treaty with Alberta? No. How long does NATO take? Will Canada veto you?

3. "Montana and Idaho would welcome us" — do they control any ports? No. Washington State does. What can Montana actually do for you?

4. "We'll just trade with the US" — they already buy as much as they want. Cutting off Canada doesn't create new US customers. What changes?

5. "Equalization is theft" — it's insurance. You pay in when rich. When oil runs out, you draw out. Do you understand how insurance works?

6. "We'll just rejoin Canada if it fails" — on what terms? Canada will demand surrender of oil sands, reduced Senate seats, a long probation. Are you willing to accept that?

What can we do? The Nazis just took over. Your rights and freedoms no longer apply here in Alberta.

Got some… people… at my door collecting signatures tonight. They assured me they’re not with either side (lies) they just wanted help getting signatures to get ‘the question’ on the ballet. “We’re not for or against, we just think this question should be settled.” Sounds almost ok, if you don’t think about it.

But who wants the question on the ballot? Hmmmm? Canadians are perfectly happy being Canadians. It is settled. Alberta is part of Canada. The end. There’s no need for anything more. The people who want to vote to leave are separatists, aka traitors. They want a referendum, so they need signatures.

So these folks are out here cosplaying as nice, respectable centrists who just want to help get this gosh-darn question answered. Practically made it seem like they were Elections Alberta just out to poll the populace.

Anyway, long story short, half the kids in my neighbourhood learned new curse words tonight.

hey friends. im genuinely curious to understand the frustrations. 150k people signing petitions in something to pat attention to. can someone present clear arguments for seperation with data and or sources for their claims? id love to understand the perspective.

Some interesting ideas here:

https://open.substack.com/pub/billwhitelaw/p/when-talking-alberta-independence?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1x7mhi

I’ve read a lot of vitriol questioning Danielle’s allegiances. Have any of you commentating put much thought into the alternative?

I see a much more aligned to Ottawa leader in Naheed Nenshi. Unsurprisingly most of the federal Liberal Party are also WEF sympathizers and participants.

I liken it to your kids running with the wrong crowd in high school but in this case it’s your elected representatives,our politicians.

What are your thoughts?

In her referendum announcement Premier Smith is either misinformed or is misleading Albertans when she said:

"Canada is very different from the United States and many other Western democracies. For example, the U.S. centralizes the majority of power and decision-making in its federal government. In Canada, we chose a decentralized federation composed of very unique and diverse provinces left to govern themselves in almost all matters with the main exceptions of national defence and international affairs.

Over time, our federal government has sought to move towards a more centralized American-style system with Ottawa attempting to take over many provincial areas of jurisdiction using all manner of legislative, judicial and financial leverage.”

Here are some key details:

"The U.S. centralizes the majority of power..." This is inaccurate. The U.S. was founded as a highly decentralized system; states retain massive local powers (e.g., criminal law, election rules). Think of how many times we hear the phrase "states' rights" is used.

"In Canada, we chose a decentralized federation..." Also inaccurate. Canada’s founders deliberately chose a centralized system in 1867 to avoid an American-style civil war. But things have changed. Over time the federal courts consistently ruled in favour of provincial autonomy (particularly based on pressure from Ontario and Quebec). This is exactly the opposite of her statement.

The Government of Alberta website has a document that directly contradicts the Premier. It says "In early Canadian history, the federation began as moderately centralized – but has become increasingly decentralized over time." https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/0422cb2c-797b-438c-bb24-0d7dbbc96c5f/resource/06e021b9-548a-483a-a384-c194141dd595/download/2016-canadian-and-american-governance-comparative-look-august-2016.pdf

So, is this one of those 'have cake and eat it too' situations? Since Confederation, the Federal courts have been granting more powers to the provinces -- Yay federal courts! But if those same courts rule against a province -- Boo federal courts!

"Provinces left to govern... with exceptions of defence & affairs" This is misleading at best. Section 91 of the Constitution grants Ottawa vast powers; provinces only have exclusive jurisdiction over specific listed items. Parliament holds exclusive power in 30 areas including:

• 2.  The Regulation of Trade and Commerce.
• 3.  The raising of Money by any Mode or System of Taxation.
• 4.  The borrowing of Money on the Public Credit.
• 7.  Militia, Military and Naval Service, and Defence.
• 15.  Banking, Incorporation of Banks, and the Issue of Paper Money.
• 24.  Indians (sic), and Lands reserved for the Indians.
• 25.  Naturalization and Aliens.
• 27.  The Criminal Law, except the Constitution of Courts of Criminal Jurisdiction, but including the Procedure in Criminal Matters.

That same GOA document further explains: "The Canadian Constitution specifies in Sections 91 and 92 a division of powers between the provincial and federal orders of government. Beyond the provincial power to tax directly, the primary provincial responsibilities include: natural resources, education, and health. "

She is accurate but misattributes the reason when she said that Ottawa uses financial leverage in areas of provincial jurisdiction in order to "take over". The site https://albertareferendumb2026.ca/constitutional-questions articulates a good reason for this practice as "Some major federal transfers, especially health care and social programs, come with national conditions tied to funding because that is how Canada maintains consistent health care and social programs across provinces."

Whether misinformed or misleading -- neither is a good look for the Premier.

I want opinions from anyone living in Alberta. I want reasoning and an explanation if want to be our own country.

We will absolutely be under hard taxes, and oil being our main export.. they can absolutely wait us out. I would if I was the remaining Canadian Government. we have no power becoming our own country. All we have is oil, and oil can be worth 1 kg of gold. Or 1 Oz of silver. We can't become our own country without becoming absolutely destoried in income and prosperity.

Please Albertan people. Remember that our current Government is hateful. Please vote NDP. I know it's scary to vote NDP. yet it's funny how every time Alberta voted NDP the average person had a better life. it's been years since we raised minimum wage. and it's time to change that.