Former Liberal cabinet minister Stéphane Dion has criticized the growing separatist movement in Alberta, urging Premier Danielle Smith to clarify her position and outline next steps should an independence referendum occur. Dion stated he has “no patience for separatist blackmail.”
Dion Calls for Clarity from Alberta Premier
Dion, who served as intergovernmental affairs minister under Jean Chrétien and introduced the Clarity Act following the 1995 Quebec referendum, questioned Smith’s commitment to Alberta remaining within Canada. “Is she indifferent about the fact that Alberta is in Canada or not? Does she care? And if she cares, then she should say so,” he said in an interview on Rosemary Barton Live.
Smith has maintained she does not desire Alberta to leave Canada, instead advocating for “a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada.” However, her government recently lowered the number of signatures required to trigger a constitutional referendum from 600,000 to 177,000 – a move separatist organizers described as a “big gift,” according to CBC News.
Dion labeled that decision “irresponsible,” arguing it is “completely wrong to split the country.” He also said Smith should explain why she reduced the threshold for a referendum if she opposes separation.
The former Liberal minister also emphasized the need for Smith to outline potential negotiation leaders for Alberta, should a referendum pass.
“If she doesn’t believe in separation, does it make sense that it would be her that would go in these tough negotiations for something she does not believe in? It’s a mess. And she needs to clarify what that means for Albertans and Canadians.”
Comparisons to Quebec Separatism and U.S. Involvement
Dion also addressed separatist sentiments in Quebec, stating that individuals with skills and talents are “wasting their energy” attempting to divide the country instead of improving Quebec and Canada. “That’s very sad for Quebec,” he said, adding, “I don’t think Alberta should emulate that.”
Last month, a U.S. State Department official confirmed meetings with Alberta separatists, stating the department “regularly meets with civil society types” but made no commitments. Dion denounced these actions, noting former President Donald Trump’s expressed interest in annexing territories for their resources.
He also highlighted the differing control over natural resources between the U.S. and Canada, where provinces hold responsibility for energy and natural resources within their boundaries.
“It would be a good deal for Trump, but completely bad for Albertans,” Dion said, arguing that five million Albertans would need to share resource dividends with 350 million Americans. He called the meetings “completely irresponsible.”
Alberta separatist Jeffrey Rath stated at least one meeting with U.S. officials occurred in a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF).
Rath also said, “statehood is not on the table. We’re not fighting tooth and nail to get out from the clutches of the CRA [Canada Revenue Agency] to have to pay federal income tax [to Washington].”
Calls for Unity from Harper
Earlier this week, former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper called for unity between Liberals and Conservatives in the face of U.S. threats and Alberta separatism. “In these perilous times, both parties, whatever their other differences, must come together against external forces that threaten our independence and against domestic policies that threaten our unity,” Harper said on Tuesday.
“We must preserve Canada, this country handed down to us by providence, preserved by our ancestors and held in trust for our descendants. We must make any sacrifice necessary to preserve the independence and the unity of this blessed land.”
Harper’s comments came after a period of relative public silence. He has endorsed Conservative candidates, but has largely focused on his consulting business since leaving office. John Ibbitson, Harper’s biographer, suggested the former prime minister could play a “Captain Canada” role in Alberta.
“I think for Stephen Harper, the sacrifice would be going back into public life. It’s not something he would want to do, but I think it’s something he would do if he felt he had to do it for the sake of the country,” Ibbitson said.
Discover more from Archyworldys
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
