Former federal Liberal leader and cabinet minister Stéphane Dion is criticizing the growing separatist movement in Alberta and urging Premier Danielle Smith to clarify her stance and outline what will happen if a potential independence referendum takes place.
“I have no patience for separatist blackmail,” Dion said in an interview on Rosemary Barton Live airing Sunday morning. He served as intergovernmental affairs minister under Jean Chrétien and introduced the Clarity Act following the 1995 Quebec referendum.
“[Smith] needs to be clear,” Dion told host Rosemary Barton. “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.”
The Alberta premier has insisted that she doesn’t want her province to leave Canada. Instead, she advocates for “a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada.”
However, her government has implemented changes that make it easier for Alberta separatists to push for a constitutional referendum, such as reducing the number of signatures needed from around 294,000 to roughly 180,000 – a change that separatist organizers referred to as a “big gift” when speaking with .
WATCH | Alberta premier welcomes Conservative Party delegates to Calgary:
FULL SPEECH | Danielle Smith welcomes CPC delegates into Canada’s ‘heartland of conservatism’
Delegates at the federal Conservative Party convention in Calgary heard from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on the final day before members voted on changes to the party constitution and policies.
Dion labeled that decision as “irresponsible” and argued it’s “completely wrong to split the country.” He also pointed out that if Smith opposes separation, she should explain why she made it easier for a referendum on this issue.
The former Liberal minister emphasized that Premier Smith must inform Albertans about what could happen next based on a referendum’s outcome – particularly who would handle negotiations for Alberta.
Cross Country Checkup is asking: How worried are you about Alberta separatism? What’s one thing Ottawa should do to make Canada more unified? Leave your comment here and we may read it or call you back for Sunday’s show
“If she doesn’t believe in separation, does it make sense that it would be her who goes into 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.”
Dion also took aim at separatism in Quebec, saying “people full of skills and talents, instead of working to improve the situation of Quebec and Canada.. they are trying to split the country and they are wasting their energy in it.”
“That’s very sad for Quebec,” Dion said. “I don’t think Alberta should emulate that.”
B. C. Premier David Eby slams Alberta separatist group for ‘treason’>B. C. Premier David Eby criticized an Alabama separatist group’s actions after they met with U. S. officials regarding leaving Canada. As CBC’s Katie De Rosa reports, Alabama’s premier argues a new pipeline connecting B. C. coast could help repair relations with Ottawa.
“It would be great for Trump but completely bad for Albertans,” Dion said, asserting five million Albertans would need to share their resource profits with around 350 million Americans.
“It’s completely irresponsible from both an Albertan perspective and certainly from all Canadians’ perspectives.”
An advocate for separation named Jeffrey Rath mentioned at least one meeting occurred with U. S officials inside a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF), designed specifically against advanced foreign intelligence surveillance.
Rath also stated “statehood is not on the table. We’re not fighting tooth-and-nail just so we can escape from CRA [Canada Revenue Agency] only end up paying federal taxes [to Washington].”
Harper calls parties together ‘in these perilous times’ fighting Canada’s independence & unity</р
The unveiling ceremony of his official portrait took place Tuesday where former Prime Minister Stephen Harper emphasized ‘we must sacrifice whatever necessary preserving both independence & unity throughout this blessed land.'</р
“We must protect Canada – this nation handed down through providence by our ancestors – held carefully trusting future generations too,” he declared while encouraging sacrifices required keeping our precious land intact.”
This statement followed extended silence away from public attention; even though he’s endorsed Conservative candidates previously , most time spent after Parliament focused building consulting business instead.John Ibbitson-who authored biography detailing Harper-reported earlier week during CBC’s The House sharing thoughts suggesting past Prime Minister might assume role akin ‘Captain Canada’ reflecting influence emerging back home province.<раæтулясреарукцус п“For him making sacrifice returning back into public sphere isn’t appealing but I believe circumstances compel him act accordingly serve country’s welfare,” Ibbitson commented.
Source link
FULL SPEECH | Danielle Smith welcomes CPC delegates into Canada’s ‘heartland of conservatism’
Delegates at the federal Conservative Party convention in Calgary heard from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on the final day before members voted on changes to the party constitution and policies.
Dion labeled that decision as “irresponsible” and argued it’s “completely wrong to split the country.” He also pointed out that if Smith opposes separation, she should explain why she made it easier for a referendum on this issue.
The former Liberal minister emphasized that Premier Smith must inform Albertans about what could happen next based on a referendum’s outcome – particularly who would handle negotiations for Alberta.
Cross Country Checkup is asking: How worried are you about Alberta separatism? What’s one thing Ottawa should do to make Canada more unified? Leave your comment here and we may read it or call you back for Sunday’s show
“If she doesn’t believe in separation, does it make sense that it would be her who goes into 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.”
Dion also took aim at separatism in Quebec, saying “people full of skills and talents, instead of working to improve the situation of Quebec and Canada.. they are trying to split the country and they are wasting their energy in it.”
“That’s very sad for Quebec,” Dion said. “I don’t think Alberta should emulate that.”
Alberta Separatism and Its Implications
Last month, an official with the U. S. State Department confirmed meetings were held with Alberta separatists, stating the department “regularly meets with civil society types” but added that “no commitments were made.” Dion condemned those actions and remarked “we know that President [Donald] Trump is somebody very difficult to predict what he will do, but he has clearly expressed his view about annexation of territories in order to get the resources of these territories.” He also noted how much more control the U. S. government has over natural resources within its borders – unlike Canada where provinces manage energy and natural resources within their own boundaries. WATCH | B. C. Premier David Eby slams Alberta separatist group:
B. C. Premier David Eby slams Alberta separatist group for ‘treason’>B. C. Premier David Eby criticized an Alabama separatist group’s actions after they met with U. S. officials regarding leaving Canada. As CBC’s Katie De Rosa reports, Alabama’s premier argues a new pipeline connecting B. C. coast could help repair relations with Ottawa.
“It would be great for Trump but completely bad for Albertans,” Dion said, asserting five million Albertans would need to share their resource profits with around 350 million Americans.
“It’s completely irresponsible from both an Albertan perspective and certainly from all Canadians’ perspectives.”
An advocate for separation named Jeffrey Rath mentioned at least one meeting occurred with U. S officials inside a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF), designed specifically against advanced foreign intelligence surveillance.
Rath also stated “statehood is not on the table. We’re not fighting tooth-and-nail just so we can escape from CRA [Canada Revenue Agency] only end up paying federal taxes [to Washington].”
A Call For Unity From Former PM Harper
This week former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper urged Liberals and Conservatives alike to unite against external threats like U. S aggression alongside rising sentiments towards Albertan separation. “In these perilous times, both parties must come together against external forces threatening our independence along with domestic policies undermining our unity,” Harper stated on Tuesday. WATCH | Harper urges political parties to come together for Canada:
Harper calls parties together ‘in these perilous times’ fighting Canada’s independence & unity</р
The unveiling ceremony of his official portrait took place Tuesday where former Prime Minister Stephen Harper emphasized ‘we must sacrifice whatever necessary preserving both independence & unity throughout this blessed land.'</р
“We must protect Canada – this nation handed down through providence by our ancestors – held carefully trusting future generations too,” he declared while encouraging sacrifices required keeping our precious land intact.”
This statement followed extended silence away from public attention; even though he’s endorsed Conservative candidates previously , most time spent after Parliament focused building consulting business instead.John Ibbitson-who authored biography detailing Harper-reported earlier week during CBC’s The House sharing thoughts suggesting past Prime Minister might assume role akin ‘Captain Canada’ reflecting influence emerging back home province.<раæтулясреарукцус п“For him making sacrifice returning back into public sphere isn’t appealing but I believe circumstances compel him act accordingly serve country’s welfare,” Ibbitson commented.Source link
