Quote:
Originally posted by octothorp@May 1 2005, 04:01 PM
I have some serious questions for the pro-separatists out there:
1: Do you believe that the problem with Alberta's role in Canada is linked to any particular party (the liberals), or to the nature of the country? The liberals are often blamed for alienating the west with NEP and such, but in 1980, Clark's minority government came up with a budget that would have been equally devestating to Alberta, had it been put in place--of course, Clark got the non-confidence heave-ho. Given that, do you trust the current conservative party to fairly represent the west?
2: What would your ideal western republic be? Alberta? Alberta and BC? Alberta, BC, Sask, Manitoba, etc. Keep in mind issues like the traditionally left-wing roots of other provinces. Would you want to be in a nation where the balance of power rests with the BC lower mainland?
3: What do you feel the strongest allegience to? Your country? Your region? Your province? Your city? Your self? How big a role does the allegiance play in your desires for separation?
4: What do you believe it will take, realistically, for Western Canadians or Albertans to embrace separation? How can Western Canadians become united behind the idea of separation when their first priority is supporting the Conservatives to battle the liberals?
5: Are you overall in favour of Quebec's right to separate, or against it? Do you view the situations of the two provinces as similar, or different? How so?
Any thoughts to any of these questions would be greatly appreciated. I'm actually writing a novel in which political separation is an underlying theme, and though I come from the heartland of western alienation, I would still like some insights as to how this belief works.
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I wouldn't consider myself pro-separatist but I wouldn't reject it out of hand.
1: Do you believe that the problem with Alberta's role in Canada is linked to any particular party (the liberals), or to the nature of the country? The liberals are often blamed for alienating the west with NEP and such, but in 1980, Clark's minority government came up with a budget that would have been equally devestating to Alberta, had it been put in place--of course, Clark got the non-confidence heave-ho. Given that, do you trust the current conservative party to fairly represent the west?
It's primarily linked to the nature of our electoral system. I trust the Conservative Party of Canada to represent western concerns.
2: What would your ideal western republic be? Alberta? Alberta and BC? Alberta, BC, Sask, Manitoba, etc. Keep in mind issues like the traditionally left-wing roots of other provinces. Would you want to be in a nation where the balance of power rests with the BC lower mainland?
In terms of political culture, north-south divisions are more similar than east-west. The 49th parallel is artificial. Vancouver has more in common with the Pacific Northwest than it does with St. John's. Calgary has more in common with Montana than it does with Toronto. I suspect a new electoral system would try and represent affiliations in a better way but I doubt the other western provinces are really interested in separation.
3: What do you feel the strongest allegience to? Your country? Your region? Your province? Your city? Your self? How big a role does the allegiance play in your desires for separation?
It depends entirely on the context. In Alberta, I'm a Calgarian. In Canada, I'm an Albertan. Abroad, I'm Canadian. I'm proud to be all three although I am sick and tired of Ottawa.
4: What do you believe it will take, realistically, for Western Canadians or Albertans to embrace separation? How can Western Canadians become united behind the idea of separation when their first priority is supporting the Conservatives to battle the liberals?
It will take much more than anything we've ever seen to date. Current corruption doesn't touch what the NEP did to the hearts and minds of Albertans and that wasn't enough to bring about anything close to separation. I can't think of an example strong enough that would galvanize westerner or Albertans to a sufficient degree.
5: Are you overall in favour of Quebec's right to separate, or against it? Do you view the situations of the two provinces as similar, or different? How so?
I am in favour of Quebec's separatist aims. I see the provinces as similar but Alberta as politically immature. We should follow Quebec's example in dealing with Ottawa.[B]