I don't think that would help anything. We'd have to negotiate with a different country in order to get pipelines built, for example. Right now, if the pipeline crosses provincial borders, then the Feds automatically have jurisdiction. If we were on our own, there would be another level of bureaucracy added.
"DrCaleb" said I don't think that would help anything. We'd have to negotiate with a different country in order to get pipelines built, for example. Right now, if the pipeline crosses provincial borders, then the Feds automatically have jurisdiction. If we were on our own, there would be another level of bureaucracy added.
Or we'd just be gobbled up by our friendly neighbours to the south. Which brings some good and bad problems.
It depends on the level of anger if things don't improve out here in the next twelve months or so. If there hasn't been substantial progress on the construction of the TransMountain line and the oil price is still badly depressed by in-Canada political sabotage from the Greenies, Natives, and Liberals then the overall emotion will be bordering on livid. If a pro-separation movement can coalesce itself simply around exploiting the economic advantages of leaving Canada, like in hyping the saving alone of no longer participating in equalization payments, then they have a good chance of succeeding. If it's just the usual collection of ignorant rednecks and dickhead bible-thumpers though, accompanied by their endless bozo eruptions, then it'll fall apart almost immediately the way every other Western separatist movement has in the past. It'll also die out almost immediately if a federal Conservative government is elected that immediately reverses every single anti-energy policy the Liberals have put into place, especially C-69 and the two-faced tanker ban on the west coast.
I doubt though that an independent Alberta would last for more than a half-decade after the fact anyway. The temptation and advantages of joining the United States would be too compelling, and there's no way that American industry and commerce wouldn't be licking their chops to rush in and set up business here. We're not Americans at heart but then again we're not seen as "real" Canadians either by the central Canadian elitist system. As a minimum the whole thing is a fascinating hypothetical even if nothing else ever comes of it.
Nah. No BC. They're too much of a legit pain in the ass. Let them have their isolated little la-la land. Open and tariff-free access to the US side of the Great Lakes and to the Texas coastline is all that's needed as far as oil-shipping commerce is concerned.
This is why electoral reform is needed. The current parties play to their bases, unfortunately those bases are Ontario and Quebec. With more regional parties in the House of Commons the country would probably be better served. Because our regional interests would be represented.
"llama66" said This is why electoral reform is needed. The current parties play to their bases, unfortunately those bases are Ontario and Quebec. With more regional parties in the House of Commons the country would probably be better served. Because our regional interests would be represented.
"DrCaleb" said This is why electoral reform is needed. The current parties play to their bases, unfortunately those bases are Ontario and Quebec. With more regional parties in the House of Commons the country would probably be better served. Because our regional interests would be represented.
I know, we could call it the "Reform" Party! The Alberta Party... in the vein of the Bloc Quebecois
It's been tried and failed. No point in trying it again, not when Quebec and Ontario are vehemently opposed to any attempts by the West to reach any sort of an equal level of representation with the central provinces. And the dividing of the conservative side only succeeded in giving four election wins to Jean Chretien.
If it happens let's prove we're not insane by repeating the same mistakes and wasted efforts from the past.
ETA - we have a similar population size to Oklahoma, which means we'd get the two senators and from five to seven house representatives if we became an American state.
ETA - we have a similar population size to Oklahoma, which means we'd get the two senators and from five to seven house representatives if we became an American state.
"llama66" said I don't think that would help anything. We'd have to negotiate with a different country in order to get pipelines built, for example. Right now, if the pipeline crosses provincial borders, then the Feds automatically have jurisdiction. If we were on our own, there would be another level of bureaucracy added.
Or we'd just be gobbled up by our friendly neighbours to the south. Which brings some good and bad problems.
Good problems: Somewhat more freedom for Alberta to set its own course as a state.
I don't think that would help anything. We'd have to negotiate with a different country in order to get pipelines built, for example. Right now, if the pipeline crosses provincial borders, then the Feds automatically have jurisdiction. If we were on our own, there would be another level of bureaucracy added.
Or we'd just be gobbled up by our friendly neighbours to the south. Which brings some good and bad problems.
I doubt though that an independent Alberta would last for more than a half-decade after the fact anyway. The temptation and advantages of joining the United States would be too compelling, and there's no way that American industry and commerce wouldn't be licking their chops to rush in and set up business here. We're not Americans at heart but then again we're not seen as "real" Canadians either by the central Canadian elitist system. As a minimum the whole thing is a fascinating hypothetical even if nothing else ever comes of it.
SK would probably come along too.
This is why electoral reform is needed. The current parties play to their bases, unfortunately those bases are Ontario and Quebec. With more regional parties in the House of Commons the country would probably be better served. Because our regional interests would be represented.
I know, we could call it the "Reform" Party!
This is why electoral reform is needed. The current parties play to their bases, unfortunately those bases are Ontario and Quebec. With more regional parties in the House of Commons the country would probably be better served. Because our regional interests would be represented.
I know, we could call it the "Reform" Party!
The Alberta Party... in the vein of the Bloc Quebecois
If it happens let's prove we're not insane by repeating the same mistakes and wasted efforts from the past.
ETA - we have a similar population size to Oklahoma, which means we'd get the two senators and from five to seven house representatives if we became an American state.
ETA - we have a similar population size to Oklahoma, which means we'd get the two senators and from five to seven house representatives if we became an American state.
You'd also have Trump for president.
I don't think that would help anything. We'd have to negotiate with a different country in order to get pipelines built, for example. Right now, if the pipeline crosses provincial borders, then the Feds automatically have jurisdiction. If we were on our own, there would be another level of bureaucracy added.
Or we'd just be gobbled up by our friendly neighbours to the south. Which brings some good and bad problems.
Good problems: Somewhat more freedom for Alberta to set its own course as a state.
Bad Problems: Fucking people like me moving in.
Bad problems: other sorts, ranging from the very worst of dindus to hedge fund rip-off artists to the GOP moving in