Smith Sends Pro-Separatists Signals
This is a question in an internal UCP members’ survey.
"How important is it to you that Alberta demands guaranteed access to ports for our resources?"
This is an interesting framing about port access for Alberta. We have it because we are part of Canada, and international trade is the jurisdiction of the Government of Canada.
So why is it essential that "Alberta DEMANDS GUARANTEED" Port access? The only reason to ask this question is in anticipation of Alberta separating from Canada.
If landlocked Alberta became a separate country, port access to export our oil, gas and other products would be part of the separation negotiations with Canada.
Raising an Alberta demand for guaranteed port access now is only relevant if you are pursuing separation. Raising it only within your Party and not the people of Alberta is separatist pandering.
This is another Smith Separatist Signal. She is truly about a sovereign Alberta. Canada be damned.
In her coy and cunning fashion, Danielle Smith is less about a sovereign Alberta within a strong Canada, whatever that means.
She is more clearly becoming a proponent of a separate Alberta, if necessary. Which means she will be willing to risk the prosperity, security, sustainability, and stability of Albertans if she doesn't get her way on her ridiculous and arrogant nine demands of Canada.
As an abundance of caution, Albertans are best advised to presume, and treat our Premier as a Separatist. It would be naive and dangerous to presume otherwise.
How can she negotiate port access when the land Alberta sits on is Treaty land and is not owned by Alberta? Wouldn’t that responsibility lie with the Treaty signatories? And I am not sure the indigenous community would want to fall under / risk falling under US control.
Wise words.