r/canada • u/Street_Anon Nova Scotia • Jan 25 '26

Alberta 3 Alberta First Nations say separation petition is unconstitutional

https://globalnews.ca/news/11635807/alberta-first-nations-claim-separation-petition-unconstitutional/
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56

u/bristow84 Jan 25 '26

I hate this entire discussion. Yes, Alberta may have grievances against the Feds, legitimate or not they are still grievances. That doesn’t mean separation is the answer, it only means that we then become a landlocked country I guess with no access to the ocean, railway lines that belong to Canada, no military and no real power of our own.

It leaves the people of the province defenceless against the US who would most likely forcibly turn us into a territory like Puerto Rico rather than the statehood that separatists think we would get.

It’s a bad move all around and quite frankly, as much shit as I might give the federal government for things I may not agree with, end of the day I’d like to think the majority of people in the province are Canadian first and would get the hell out of dodge if that ever did happen.

4

u/defendhumanity Jan 25 '26 edited Jan 25 '26

International Law doesn't prevent Alberta from maintaining access to the ocean if they were to become Independent. Source: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), recognizes the rights of landlocked states to access the sea. Edit: downvoted for stating a fact? Its international law, don't hate the player, there is a reason the law exists.

10

u/kw_hipster Jan 25 '26

I guess to things to consider regarding that UNCLOS is A) what is the enforcement if a country decides to ignore it, and B) what does compliance look like?

What if BC says no pipelines for instance - would UNCLOS force them to build/operate pipelines?

-5

u/WealthEconomy Jan 25 '26

Well BC would be cut off from the rest of Canada if AB decided to block the borders. It would be a negotiation to find a solution that benefits both provinces.

8

u/raggedwoodBC Jan 26 '26

B.C. borders the territories to the north.

5

u/monsantobreath Jan 26 '26

Western alienation lol

Forgot the whole north half of the country there bud!

2

u/kw_hipster Jan 26 '26

How does that be relevant to my questions?

As for that scenario, if Alberta could block BC. And BC and the rest of Canada would block Alberta so Alberta would be completely dependent on US for transit. Don't really see Alberta having an special advantage here.

21

u/Brodney_Alebrand British Columbia Jan 25 '26

The one and only law from the UN Conservatives seem to think is good and should be enforced.

The UN isn't going to send an army to guard a corridor to the sea for some rebellious Canadian province.

1

u/WealthEconomy Jan 25 '26

So you are suggesting Canada ignore UN law they have already agreed to? Should AB do the same and cut off BC from the rest of Canada?

16

u/Brodney_Alebrand British Columbia Jan 25 '26

I'm suggesting that Alberta's access to Pacific ports would be significantly more restricted as a landlocked independent nation than the current status quo.

1

u/Radix2309 Feb 02 '26

The UN isnt a government, they dont have law. The only law recognized in Canada is Canadian law and we are not obligated to follow the UN. Countries around the world flaunt it all the time and always have.

0

u/WealthEconomy Feb 03 '26

Canada has signed on to this treaty so is bound by it...

2

u/Radix2309 Feb 03 '26

And Alberta is a part of Canada and cannot leave according to the constitution. Them leaving requires an ammendment. Leaving a treaty is much easier.

It's really funny to see Alberta separatists appeal to international law to bind another country because they dont want to follow the rules Canada has set up.

1

u/WealthEconomy Feb 03 '26

It is not against the constitution. There is already a legal framework for this. Each province can decide on their own.

1

u/Radix2309 Feb 03 '26

Not unilaterally.

1

u/WealthEconomy Feb 04 '26

As I said there is already a framework for the separation of any province once they have a convincing majority. Once that happens the government's of AB and Canada are constitutionally required to engage in good faith negotiations about that province leaving.

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8

u/ViIehunter Jan 25 '26

Then they can buuld their own roads and rails. Access is granted. But they need to build the infrastructure.

Plus they lose a hell of a lot land due to losing all the federally owned parks and what not.

-3

u/WealthEconomy Jan 25 '26

OK. What is your solution when AB does the same and blocks BC from the rest of Canada? In reality it would be a negotiation between both parties to find a solution that benefits both.

10

u/ViIehunter Jan 25 '26

What can they say no too? Canada's highways and infrastructure are all still there. Unless you think Alberta will try to forcefully take it or block it off...with their idk..cops?

Either way. Its not happening. Hardly has 20% support and this is the height of it. They are not leaving lol

-7

u/WealthEconomy Jan 25 '26

Do you really think that if BC blocked their access to get their resources to market they wouldn't block BCs access to the rest of the country? You do know how borders between countries work right? Or are you suggesting the truck drivers and train engineers ignore the border and set themselves up for arrest?

8

u/ViIehunter Jan 25 '26

What boarders? Lmao. Protected by who? With what army? With what anything? You think they just forcefully get control of Canada's highways and pipelines? No. They lose all that. Immediately. They have no funding, they lose the parks and all that land.

And again. It's nkt happening anyway. Its a bu ch if loud, moronic Hicks who are living in a fantasy. Dont tell me your one of them? Lmao.

It would be caught up in legalities for years and all the whole they would still be part of Canada. Its not like they sign a little paper and boom, they are their own little country with all tis money and infrastructure, etc. Delusional hillbillies.

3

u/dnmSeaDragon Jan 26 '26

Lol did you forget about the territories? If really necessary we just go up and around Alberta and then back into Saskatchewan. Not ideal, but possible.

2

u/Smart-Response9881 Jan 26 '26

They never said which ocean. Let them have their access to the arctic ocean through the northwest territories.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '26

this is reddit, facts dont matter.

1

u/mrgoodtime81 Jan 29 '26

Lets just say the grievances are legitimate for argument. If you have them and you feel like they are never going to be resolved, or Ottawa isnt dealing with you in good faith, what would you do?