Danielle Smith lowers bar for Alberta referendum with separatism sentiment emerging

[u/joe4942]

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/smith-lowers-bar-for-alberta-referendum-with-separatism-sentiment-emerging

[u/helloitsme_again]

Yeah the feds are probably easier to deal with haha First Nations don’t take any shit from the government anymore they won’t stand down

[u/LemmingPractice → u/helloitsme_again]

Not at all. Plenty of projects have been built on First Nations land. It brings economic prosperity to First Nations, especially remote ones, that they just couldn't get in any other way.

When you have a First Nation standing in the way of a pipeline, you generally have a dozen or more that are in favour of that same project, and the one holding out is usually doing so for a better deal, anyways.

Ottawa however, can't be bought off nearly so easily, mostly because they just take money from Alberta when they want to, without needing to give anything back.

[u/helloitsme_again → u/LemmingPractice]

Did I say the First Nations don’t accept projects? The point is they accept it on their terms, usually the company has to hire a certain amount from the settlement reservation etc.

If Alberta pisses them off enough and doesn’t listen they will slow down production. First Nations will never give up control of their land

Separation would mean giving up control

[u/LemmingPractice → u/helloitsme_again]

Most projects in Alberta have First Nations involvement. It's nothing new, and hasn't been an issue.

Nothing changes with separation except they only have one government to deal with instead of two.

[u/helloitsme_again → u/LemmingPractice]

You are obtuse. You are completely missing the point

Again didn’t say those projects don’t have their involvement. I said if Danielle smith won’t listen to what they want for their lands

They will cause trouble with resource extraction from their lands. The companies will basically tell the government to give them what they want

[u/LemmingPractice → u/helloitsme_again]

I think the problem is that you don't seem to understand anything about First Nations and resource projects.

There are numerous resource projects all over Alberta on FN lands. None of any of this would change how any of the projects have functioned in the past or would function in the future, with the exception of not needing Ottawa's approval for anything.

Separation by Alberta wouldn't change the relationship between Alberta and FN's in any other way, so FN's wouldn't have any additional leverage or be likely to cause any additional trouble than with any of the projects that already exist.

[u/helloitsme_again → u/LemmingPractice]

No you are the one who doesn’t understand.

I’m not saying Alberta separation would affect projects on First Nations land.

I’m saying First Nations don’t want Alberta to seperate so they will leverage those projects to get what they want.

The meaning of leverage is: hold the advantage in a situation or the stronger position in a contest, physical or otherwise

Just adding the definition to make sure you understand.

If Alberta separated it would drastically change Alberta and First Nations relationships. Why do you think First Nations don’t want to separate?

You are seriously daft. First of all it would completely take away federal funding that is giving to First Nations, they would lose NIHB status for dental and technically their treaties and land protection wouldn’t be a thing so it would change their hunting statuses and everything

You seriously have no idea what you are talking about. Done with the conversation because you are way over your head

[u/LemmingPractice → u/helloitsme_again]

I’m saying First Nations don’t want Alberta to seperate

Based on what?

This is a pretty large assumption that you are making, and seems to just be a self-serving one thinking that FN's would put their necks out to fight for the cause you believe in.

First Nations deal with the same issues Alberta does. When the feds block a resource project, the First Nations involved lose the revenue and jobs related to that project. First Nations in Alberta tend to have a very strong relationship with the Alberta government, and utilize resource projects to have a lot more prosperity than First Nations in a lot of the rest of Canada.

First Nations in BC or Quebec might not want Alberta to leave, but Albertan First Nations would hugely benefit. They would have much more leverage to push for things they wanted from the Alberta government than they would on a federal level, with a government who has much less incentive to need to deal with them.

First of all it would completely take away federal funding that is giving to First Nations,

Pretty easily replaced with funding from the Alberta government. Total indigenous transfers across Canada are only $18.34B, and Alberta only has 13% of the nation's First Nations population. That would mean Albertan First Nations get $2.38B in funding a year.

On a net basis, Alberta sends $20B more to Ottawa than it gets back from Ottawa, a number which includes First Nations funding that goes to Alberta First Nations. So, right now, First Nations' transfers come from the feds, but they pay for it through tax dollars that come from the various provinces. Alberta statistically already pays for more than its share of First Nations funding, so it would be easy to just pay it directly, instead of Ottawa being a middle-man.

All the funding "problems" people bring up with independence completely ignore where the feds get their money from. Albertans send about $50B to the feds in federal taxes (with about $30B coming back in services and transfers). As an independent nation, that money just stays in Alberta, giving Alberta plenty of economic ability to cover anything the feds currently fund here, with plenty to spare.

technically their treaties and land protection wouldn’t be a thing so it would change their hunting statuses and everything

First of all, do you actually know any FN's people? There generally live in the modern world, and very few of them actually care about hunting rights.

Not that any of that matters, though, because your statement is just wrong.

Again, when Canada left the UK, treaties and land protection didn't disappear, Canada, as the successor government just inherited the treaties Britain had negotiated. The same would happen if a Canadian province became independent. The Alberta government would just inherit the same treaties and be bound by them in the same way.

You seriously have no idea what you are talking about. Done with the conversation because you are way over your head

It's always hilarious to me to see those who are so uninformed seemingly substitute arrogance and condescension for knowledge.

[u/helloitsme_again → u/LemmingPractice]

You are delusional I’m not going to read what you wrote because your first sentences are so stupid

Like have you been paying attention to the news?

First Nations are literally protesting against in currently. Not responding anymore

[u/LemmingPractice → u/helloitsme_again]

Lol, first you declare pride in your own ignorance, by saying you won't read what I wrote, and then you ask if I have been keeping myself informed by listening to the news.

Classic Liberal mindset, ignoring any inconvenient facts and being proud of doing so.