comment: >
  
  It has nothing to do with being far right.   I've always voted left but I'm sick of Trudeau sending us up shits creek to appease city voters.   People have to begin to realize there's vastly different ways of life in this large of a country and we need a way to stand up for and protect ours.
context: If your entire soverignty movement is based upon not liking the current Prime Minister, it will never succeed. >
  
  I don’t think it’s that? A friend of mine from Canada told me that Alberta always threatens to join the US, Alberta being a large oil producer and one of the main drivers of the Canadian economy. I see this as more of a bargaining chip to strong arm their own agendas. >
  
  Alberta: "We're joining the US!"
  The US: "Nah, we're good." >
  
  Honestly I feel like a good number would want it just because if it’s truly that conservative it’s another +2 R Senators. They want any edge they can get what with how the future it looking for them. >
  
  The Compromise of 2023: Alberta and DC are both admitted as states. >
  
  I’d honestly be okay with that less because of gaining seats in the senate (well, we would lose as Alberta would get more house reps), but more because it’s insane to me DC doesn’t get an actual say in the Senate or House. 
  Basically I’d be for it for the principle of the matter.
  To be honest I wish Canada would unite with us solely so we could get a large number of Senators who would go Democrat, but that’s a pipe dream I know. And Canada is actually pretty split, just not as bad as us. >
  
  It might be insane to you but it was done intentionally.  The seat of the federal government was intended to be separate from the states.  The guys who fought for “no taxation without representation” were the same guys who felt they needed this after being pushed around in Philadelphia and Princeton. >
  
  Oh I know that. I got a degree in history and am now pursuing a law degree. But at this point in time I don’t think we have much to fear from a single city. We have far more to fear from even people flying in and storming the Capitol than the people in the Capitol getting a couple of senators. >
  
  Alberta's First Nations leaders have formally come out opposed to the act, so we can be relatively certain if it comes to secession Alberta will be separating in parts, not whole. >
  
  Considering all treaties with Indigenous are with the Crown and not Alberta, there wouldnt be a whole lot of “Alberta” left to secede. All Crown land and Federal land (Banff and Jasper) would remain Canada. 
  I dont think the USA would accept a swiss cheese province that also pisses off a huge trading partner and their largest shared border. >
  
  This law has no constitutional validity. It’s the equivalent of a tantrum throwing child saying “you’re not my mommy anymore” >
  
  That's debatable. Canada as a whole claims to subscribe to the concept of freedom of determination by the people. If the people of Alberta overwhelmingly support total independence from Canada; they should go for it and Canada would be ill-advised to try and stop it. I don't live in Alberta, I have zero connections there. >
  
  What a simplistic, shit take. Individual provinces should not be able to cede from a nation just because they want to. There's a lot more behind that type of decision than just the provincial government passing unconstituional bills. >
  
  
  Individual provinces should not be able to cede from a nation just because they want to.
  
  It's a bit awkward for any NATO state to adopt that stance without looking like massive hypocrites, after the intervention in Kosovo/Serbia. >
  
  Attempted genocides are a bit different than internal sovereignty disputes. >
  
  Readers should note that this Premier was not voted into office by a public vote. Her party voted her in after the previous Premier lost public favour based on many factors, of which most are issues that the new Premier is doubling-down on. I just hope that readers don't think this Premier or new law is representative of most Albertans. Yes, we have loud idiots but it seems that every population of humans has some of those. >
  
  As an Ontarian, we didn't choose Ford. More than half the province just didn't vote because all parties sucked ass, he basically won because the other parties didn't even try. 
  Andrea Horwath (NDP) should have stepped down in 2018 and Steven Del Duca (Liberal) was part of the Wynne govt we wanted gone in 2018 and both had bringing back masking etc as part of their platform, which was very unpopular. 
  Less than half of eligible Ontario voters actually voted. If I remember correctly, 41% of Ontarians voted, of those 41% that voted, 22% voted PC (on mobile, so someone please correct me if i'm wrong) >
  
  I'm sorry, it's rough when you don't really have a good choice :/ the situation in Alberta is quite complicated as well, although I really do believe the majority of us are on par with the rest of Canada in terms of progressive social values. >
  
  NDP and OLP weren’t bad, people just didn’t care or just wanted OPC in power. >
  
  I think you are right in that assessment >
  
  Let me guess: they'll be smug until first hardship hits, then they'll whine for federal help? >
  
  Yep, this happens every boom/bust cycle in alberta.  When the oil money is rolling in they do everything they can to not pay into the federal system and declare disasters in other provinces "not their problem".  Then when there's an oil bust they come crying to the rest of canada with cap in hand, but without an ounce of humility. >
  
  Sounds like Texas >
  
  Yep. Bunch of whiners the lot of them. >
  
  Don't group me and others with the rest of the conservative/far right losers here in Alberta, they're a bane on this provinces existence and well being. >
  
  Found Nenshi’s reddit account. >
  
  This is ironic because Nenshi was one of the nost progressive leaders in Canadian history and he was elected multiple times to be the Mayor of the biggest city in Alberta. >
  
  The Canadian Constitution clearly lays out federal and provincial responsibilities. The Act is entirely symbolic/ a political stunt. >
  
  This is correct. >
  
  I heard that Notley held a meeting in Calgary with business leaders and had a packed room.  While she is ostensibly NDP, she is at least known and stable in her politics.  I'll also note that she got agreements for an East Coast pipeline, with Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario which the conservatives couldn't do. >
  
  For everyone that’s not Canadian - the NDP is considered our ‘socialist’ party. In Alberta it’s sorta closer to centre, but it’s an interesting tidbit that the NDP seems more business friendly than the rightwing. Especially given there’s been a backlash from business communities during the NDP rising in other provinces >
  
  They're Social Democrats at best, which leftists only occasionally count as the left because of how they're almost always just Liberals that hate Liberals. Which is exactly what the NDP are lol, their supposed leftism is mostly just taking potshots at corporations and the other parties on Twitter. >
  
  I don't wanna move from Alberta... >
  
  Same.  I just bought a house and I like it here. >
  
  Alberta may turn into the rest of Canada if there isn’t a change in federal leadership. So what do we honestly do if we are to save what we like so much? >
  
  I love my home in Alberta, and I love Alberta. But I LOATHE Danielle Smith with my every fibre. People in my town I've known to be die hard conservative are telling me that they will hold their nose and vote NDP. Albertans are so fucking tired of being a national and international embarrassment every time this premier opens her yap. >
  
  Ohhh, s Alberta is your FL man lol >
  
  Floridaman and Albertaman have a lot of similarities >
  
  I would laugh SO hard if these morons actually managed to secede and then the rest of Canada and the US closed their borders until trade negotiations could be completed. Maybe just a year or five. >
  
  Alberta really can only exist as a part of either Canada or the US. Secession would only open the option of asking the US to join. >
  
  it's definitely a possibility.   Although those set to lose politically in the United States from having a new state or two could block the the processes in Congress >
  
  Alberta would not be accepted by the US. The Dems wouldn't want to piss off Canada and the Republicans would be hesitant because Alberta would most likely vote blue.
  Alberta might not even be able to separate intact because indigenous groups would sue to either stay part of Canada or go independent, taking all the crown land with them. Since the land treaties are between the crown and the indigenous nations, not the province, they would have a strong case 
  Alberta would also lose Banff and Jasper since they are federal parks >
  
  Wait are you saying there's a way for Canada to only keep the cool parts of Alberta? I'm listening >
  
  "Alberta is their Texas" >
  
  and as someone from quebec, quebec is florida. >
  
  one could also argue that Nova Scotia is our Florida but I don't disagree with your comment >
  
  we could argue, but i think nova, and labrador, are basicely our alaska. >
  
  Wouldn't that be the Yukon? >
  
  Is Yukon even a province? >
  
  It's a Territory, which is similar to a province but with different constitutional powers >
  
  WTF is wrong with these people? >
  
  As some one from  B.C , Can't we refer it as the Canadian mid-west there not the actual west . >
  
  A lot of us here in BC support their Rhetoric.
  Not sure why you’d support a government in Ottawa who basically hates you >
  
  
  So why does Ottawa hate us , Can you proves us with some examples .. >
  
  Because Montreal and Toronto decide elections, everyone else gets to grin and bear it. Now try living up north or out east. Ottawa is hated pretty much everywhere other than major cities, because our problems never get solved and our taxes always go to someone else. We either vote liberal and get shafted, or vote con and everyone gets shafted. At some point spite wins out I suppose. >
  
  Oh good. StopGap Smith made international news. Again. >
  
  Albertan here. Not that I’m a big fan of our provincial government, but even a quick reading of this article and it strikes me as over-hyped.
  Yes, the Government of Alberta has introduced the “Sovereignty Act”, but it’s a pale shadow of what they promised the right wing crazies and is essentially toothless.
  It was supposed to “allow Alberta to ignore federal laws or regulations that the provincial government deemed harmful to the province”, but everyone with half a brain knew that was complete bullshit that would never fly. The Lieutenant Governor hinted that she would not give Royal Assent to any bill that was blatantly unconstitutional, and this was. As a result, clauses about “ignoring” federal legislation were diluted to the point where any possible interpretation is already covered by existing legislation.
  The GoA also tried to throw in clauses that would allow the UCP caucus & ministers to pass new legislation without following the democratic process - ie: no debate, no voting. That was all removed as a result of public outcry when our exalted premier said she was “sorry” that it was interpreted that way even though it was written that way, 🤦‍♂️
  So, while the act passed, it does nothing that isn’t already done. It’s only purposes right now are to try to goad the federal government into some form of objection or legal challenge, or convince UCP supporters that they have what they were promised. It’s unintended side-effect is exactly what we see in this article: it creates dislike & uncertainty towards Alberta and will almost certainly have a negative effect on our economy.
  Trudeau is currently ignoring this idiocy and waiting for First Nation chiefs to begin the legal challenges, and they are.
  Yes, our provincial government are a bunch of amoral idiots. They think that declaring “sovereignty” with no takesie-backsies is a nuanced political tactic. They think that we can separate from Canada, somehow keep the Crown Land and Treaty Lands, and that the UN Convention on Transit Trade of Land-Locked States will somehow force other provinces to let us build pipelines across their land. They’ve forbidden mask mandates in schools and have created a ministry specifically to protect anti-vaxxers from “discrimination” at a time when we have record numbers of children sick and in hospital. There are too many other things to go into here, but basically they’re the worst fucking government in the history of the province - and that’s a low bar to hit.
  Please know that the majority of Albertans don’t want any of this. It’s embarrassing that this government has the support they do, according to polls, but it’s not out of line with the level of support Republicans have in the USA, for example. So, in that respect it’s not unusual. But still embarrassing.
  Hopefully, we can ditch this dumpster fire in May, but it’s also entirely possible the GoA will repeal the legislation setting that date and put off any election to the federally mandated 5 year maximum. Most of us hope not.
  Wish us luck. >
  
  
  So, while the act passed, it does nothing that isn’t already done.
  
  Except the parts that restrict Albertan citizens from contesting forthcoming provincial government actions and limits their ability seek compensation for harm caused by the provincial government. >
  
  Yeah, sadly those passed. I guess the good news is that at least federal rights would still apply, at least if you could afford a lawyer for a constitutional challenge. But yeah, those clauses are clearly to prevent lawsuits for all the harm this government will, undoubtedly, do. >
  
  It's a joke of a law and it's good the Federal government is ignoring it.
  It will be removed by the courts for violating treaty rights of First Nations, who are taking them to court. >
  
  Brexit v2. Then internet bots working overtime >
  
  Not even close. Britain is a developed country somewhat capable of self dependence and working out their own trade deals. 
  I have no idea what the numbers are but I am sure Britains GDP absolutely dwarfs Albertas. >
  
  This is a bit overdramatic. Tone it down, American media.        
  Canadian provinces having battles with the Federal government is nothing new, including about constitutional issues. It's been occurring for about 150 years now. >
  
  The responsibilities of federal and provincial governments is spelled already clear as day.
  This is nothing
  Also the desire to secede is a fraction of what it was in Quebec to even get a referendum. >
  
  And Trudeau won’t need to lift a finger to fight back as the First Nations of the province are already set to fight this one instead. Smith and Moe are goddam idiots for pushing this shit. >
  
  Question:  If Alberta were to secede from the rest of the country does that mean their oil and gas sector wouldn't get $10 billion in federal subsidies to survive?  And if that were the case how long do you think the province would last on their own while they have to prop up the oil industry on their own dime while rejecting EV's and green energy?
  Does the rest of Canada get to vote on cutting off their federal assistance? >
  
  God Reddit is so funny sometimes.  It's like people get something into their heads and don't ever think about it critically.
  Let's just look up how much oil Alberta produces each year, I imagine it will be so far beyond $10b it isn't even funny...  Yup, Alberta produces a bit under $200b worth of oil a year.
  So, tell me again how the province would collapse because they would have to spend $10b to get $200b a year! >
  
  exactly. All the red tape which would cease to exist would save Alberta a lot more than 10 billion if they were so secede. Reddit is clueless to this situation. >
  
  "red tape". i.e. environmental protection.
  Yeah, they could immediately eliminate all those protections and thus oil producers could spend a lot less money and get on with really making the lives of Albertans worse with pollution.
  That'd be a huge plus. Think of how popular oil spills are, now Alberta could have one every day! With intent!
  Sounds like paradise. >
  
  Alberta can keep its environmental protections. But the carbon tax going, as well as the ceasing of government rhetoric alluding to the future shutdown of the industry might draw some investment. We could build some pipelines to increase exports for cheaper, and actually much more environmentally safer than by rail additionally. There’s a whole lot we would like to do if only the federal government allowed us. >
  
  
  Alberta can keep its environmental protections.
  
  Then you keep the red tape.
  
  But the carbon tax going
  
  The carbon tax is an environmental protection. You're practicing doublespeak. >
  
  If they don't prevent destroying the entire environment through global heating then they aren't a-ok.
  
  The only reason the federal government insists on more regulations at this point is to make it clear that the industry is on the way out, and discourage investment.
  
  If I needed any more proof a person making poison has to getting deep into denial about it this would have been it. >
  
  If alberta stopped producing Oil, then the USA, KSA and others could simply ramp up production to meet the demand of consumers. At their own benefit. I don’t see how Canada shutting off the taps effects anything. Oil consumption would remain. Global c02 emissions remain the same also. Instead only the USA, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Nigeria and Venezuela would profit off of it. That would be the only difference. If anything c02 is emissions would be worse simply because these countries have shittier environmental regulations within the industry, compared to us.
  How am I in denial over anything? >
  
  
  I don’t see how Canada shutting off the taps effects anything.
  
  Yes, preventing climate change has to be a global effort. Canada doing their part is part of being responsible.
  
  Oil consumption would remain. Global c02 emissions remain the same also.
  
  No. Consumption of oil is at its current levels because it is cheap and readily available. It overcame coal through massive production and the reduction in price (and transport costs) that included.
  
  If anything c02 is emissions would be worse simply because these countries have shittier environmental regulations within the industry, compared to us.
  
  There is little oil in the world which is has higher carbon output per bbl produced than Alberta's tar sand oil.
  
  How am I in denial over anything?
  
  Well, for example you just got done saying all you just did even though it is unbelievable unless it is personally profitable to you to for it to be true.
  You just got done saying that if someone is going to make money from destroying the environment it might as well be you. >
  
  But how’s their power grid? Giddy up >
  
  Heh, stupid Albertans! 
  checks birth certificate 
  Oh, right. nevermind. >
  
  Alberta can’t afford to leave Canada let alone act like a petulant, spoiled child. Canada owns your oil economy, not you, take a seat. >
  
  I mean, the conditions of secession would be to pay back to us what you owe, minimum. If Alberta doesn’t they just get sanctioned into oblivion. Good luck with that. Nice truck though. >
  
  All Alberta has ever done is transfer billions to other provinces, while they shit all over us, calling us red necks. Talking about us as if we have no clue what’s best for this province, and the jobs here which support hundreds of thousands of people. Alberta owes the rest of Canada nothing. I’ll argue this all day and night. >
  
  You’re very wrong. I know I’m not going to change your mind. Facts won’t change your mind either. Enjoy. >
  
  Let’s hear them if you think you’re so informed. We transfer billions of CAD, reaped from our industries while the government clamours to shut them all down. Does zero to save the environment since all the investment and oil exports simply goes to other countries. >
  
  Go ask your cousin >
  
  And this is why Alberta wants to separate. So many stuck up pieces of shit like you who are ruining livelihoods out here, treating it like a joke. We won’t miss you sons of bitches. >
  
  Strawman much? >
  
  How is it a straw man? I ask you to prove that Alberta receives more money than it gives to this federation, and you tell me to go ask my cousin. Why would I believe this federal government has our best interests in mind? As far as I’m concerned we’ve only given money to other provinces while they demand we shut down our industries. Exhibit A of why Alberta wants to leave. Fuck you all. >
  
  The act doesn't actually do much of anything, but it does manage draw reports like this one from the media.
  So that's probably the purpose of it. >
  
  Dear Canada:Learn from our mistakes, Don't tolerate crazy.
  -your neighbors >
  
  Maybe they can join with San Bernardino in California and form a new country. Kind of far apart though. >
  
  Yeah Alberta actually has their shit together by comparison. >
  
  Soooo… anarchy? >
  
  Disgusting! >
  
  Danielle, we talked about this… the false equivalencies about unvaccinated being treated worse than holocaust victims needs to end… >
  
  Brought to you by the Russian FSB, no doubt. >
  
  As an Albertan, this is a desperate move from an extremely unpopular premier and conservative party.  She has the support of like 15% of her own party.
  This is fringe group that feels themselves something different than other Canadians.  
  This is basically posturing because Ottawa insists that the provinces consult First Nations and follow federal environmental legislation.  This premier wants consequence free environmental degradation.
  Its never going to fly because moderates and progressives are going to vote her into oblivion in May.... >
  
  Dear Albertxexiters,  check out Brexit for a preview of what is being asked for. >
  
  Well the UK has a pretty diversified, large economy, its own currency, and access to warm water ports... So it would actually be a lot worse. 
  But like a lot of brexit politicains they probably dont want this to actually happen and just harvest the anger from the far right for votes. >
  
  Okay, who had Canadian civil war on their bingo card >
  
  Canada has a fairly lengthy history of secession movements. The '95 Quebec secession referendum is the reason my family moved to the US. >
  
  Ugh... Need l actually say it? >
  
  No it doesn't. not all the time. And not loudly. Separating is a fringe idea.  Majority of Alberta doesn't want it...this is political posturing to gain upper hand in negotiate about oil and keeping it going. >
  
  If they actually did separate, they would get nothing but grief from the rest the other provinces. Particularly BC. Don't know how they will get to export that oil for their own benefit by going through BC. BC will put its foot down hard. NWT and SK as well.  Separate from Canada? One of the best damn countries in the world. >
  
  Mirror site >
  
  Might be good for Canada to get rid of those right wing bums. They really don’t fit into Canadian society. >
  
  Are you sure? Have you been to the Prairies before? How about the Maritimes? >
  
  Let'em secede, they can have Texas too! >
  
  Alberta only exists because of an act of Parliament to amend the constitution and create Alberta. Alberta can cease to exist by that same mechanism. All it takes is 7 provinces with more than 50% of the population to agree to do it. >
  
  Everything is far right these days. >
  
  Just join the US >
  
  Please don’t, the last thing we need are more soft-skulled right wingers. >
  
  They already stuck us with Ted Cruz. The last thing we need is for Alberta to stick us with Stephen Harper and Jason Kenney too. >
  
  Harper and Kenney are not involved in front line politics anymore. Kenney stepped down after a leadership review where he got 53% in a confidence vote. >
  
  Harper is very much involved on the back end, modern Canadian conservatives are Harperite in ideology. >
  
  Civil war: great white north edition >
  
  Not even close >
  
  Hahaha I love your issue with this is the title of the article and not the fact this leader is trying to get around democracy and laws they don't like. >
  
  Any separation leads to more restrains and financial limitations which inflict on the economy of the region. >
  
  You know what inflicts damage on the economy of the region? When the federal government vocally and financially supports shutting down their oil and gas industry. One of the largest in the whole world. >
  
  You know what would be even worse? If they somehow got enough votes to separate and couldn't support those industries , nor get thier product to market. >
  
  Why would that happen? Are trade negotiations impossible or something? >
  
  Trade negotiations take time. >
  
  And both parties need to agree to them >
  
  If we're being honest, Canada is a thinly populated strip above the US. While secession is a stupid idea for many different reasons, if we had a do over for new borders, I rather like the idea of bio regions defining more natural borders, with BC joining Cascadia, the Prairies joining their southern counterparts, and Southern Ontario joining the Laurentian region, with Quebec, the Maritimes, and the Northern Territories doing their own thing.
  Once again, the British practice of drawing straight lines on a map comes back to haunt them. >
  
  Speaking as a resident of BC; I cannot overstate how little we want to be a part of the US. >
  
  No kidding, I know as a Manitoban people say that Minnesota/ND are practically like us and vice versa, but I like that dividing border line thank you very much.... >
  
  Get serious. They pass a law permitting people to keep the hunting rifles Trudeau is trying to confiscate and that makes them far right secessionists? Ridiculous. >
  
  They didn't pass any such law. They just instructed RCMP not to confiscate firearms, along with other provinces.
  This is some make-believe legislation that has no power and will be thrown out by thr court >
  
  "far-right" is just some strong click bait words...