Webinar touring province aims to influence Alberta sovereignty discussions

By John Watson Local Journalism initiative Reporter

A webinar that’s touring the province was hosted for the Strathmore area on Dec. 16, discussing a “Free Alberta Strategy”, focused on provincial sovereignty.

According to Rob Anderson, the executive director of the strategy, between 80-100 people from the Chestermere-Strathmore, Banff-Kananaskis and Highwood areas were in attendance for this particular leg of the tour.

“It was just a really good discussion about the Free Alberta Strategy and ways that Alberta can assert sovereignty within Canada in a manner that will allow us to be successful again as a province,” said Anderson. “Right now, we’re just (under) constant attacks from Ottawa economically (and it’s) really taking a toll on our province.”

Anderson noted specifically that sovereignty does not equate to separation. Instead, the Province of Alberta would have jurisdiction to voluntarily not enforce documents passed by the federal government.

The purpose being it would allow the province to decide for itself whether it believed certain federal laws were beneficial to Alberta, or if it saw a passed document as a hindrance, such as a sanction.

“So, it’s not separation, but it’s to say that when Ottawa advances policies that attack Alberta’s economic interests and amount to economic sanctions against our province … the Alberta government (would) have a right to say they’re not going to enforce those laws,” said Anderson. “So (as an) example, the carbon tax or the emissions caps that were just announced that are going to phase out burning fossil fuels for electricity by 2030 … also laws that would clearly hurt Alberta, we (wouldn’t) have to enforce them.”

The plan is to host the webinars all over the province in all 87 constituencies. As of Dec. 27, 16 constituencies have been addressed. The webinar has been touring since September.

Through hosting the sessions, Anderson aims to create pressure on the provincial government to discuss and potentially pass an Alberta Sovereignty Act. Anderson said response thus far from participants has been favourable.

“Frankly, it’s been overwhelmingly positive and we think that we are going to, one day, see this strategy adopted as part of the provincial policy of the Government of Alberta on provincial rights and I think we’re well on our way to getting there,” he said.

Those who are curious and who may have missed the local webinar are able to find more information about the movement online (www.freealbertastrategy.com).