Alberta independence groups question municipal response

By Melissa Crispin-Piche Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A brief gathering outside the Strathmore town office on Aug. 19 has sparked questions about political expression, municipal property and the role of police as Alberta heads toward an October referendum on independence.

The incident involved members and supporters of Let’s Talk Alberta, including founder Chris Scott, who had stopped in Strathmore to distribute free signs and speak with people about Alberta independence.

What was expected to be a short stop became a roughly two-hour encounter after a Town of Strathmore peace officer along with a Town of Strathmore representative approached the group and requested assistance from the RCMP.

The Town of Strathmore did not provide an in-person interview for this story, but issued a general statement regarding the incident.

“The Town of Strathmore is aware of concerns following a recent interaction at a town-owned facility,” the statement reads. “The town respects individuals’ right to peacefully express their views and participate in democratic processes. The group was able to continue gathering and expressing its views.”

The town said its facilities are shared community spaces and that activities must comply with the rules and operating requirements associated with each facility. “These requirements are applied consistently, regardless of the cause or political viewpoint involved,” the statement said.

The town added that its priority is to keep facilities “safe, welcoming and accessible for everyone,” while ensuring they remain available for the programs, services and public meetings they are intended to support.

According to Staff Sgt. Mark Wielgosz, detachment commander with the Strathmore RCMP, police were contacted by a Town of Strathmore peace officer late in the afternoon.

“Our members received a request from a Town of Strathmore peace officer to lend some assistance with a matter that they were dealing with in the parking lot, or at least in the pavilion, at the Town of Strathmore office,” Wielgosz said.

Police attended and found a group of people engaged in a discussion with town officials. 

“From their observation, there was nothing of a concern that required immediate intervention,” Wielgosz said. “And as it would turn out, the issue of contention between the parties was resolved peaceably.”

Wielgosz said there was a discussion about the group’s presence on town property, but police did not identify a criminal issue requiring their continued involvement.

“There was a discussion regarding the placement of the group on town property, but as I alluded to, that those issues were apparently resolved,” he said. “So, at that point in time there was no concern with respect to trespassing or any other requirement for our members to be further involved.”

No one was arrested and no one was removed from the property by police.

Scott said the group had not intended to hold a large rally or protest at the town office. He said people were gathering outside in the park and that the purpose of the stop was to meet supporters, distribute signs and discuss the independence referendum.

Lawrence McGee, who was at the gathering and was covering the event for his live streams, described it as a short stop involving people picking up free signs.

“Let’s Talk Alberta with Christopher Scott was just holding an event where people can come and pick up signs and it was just like a quick stop,” McGee said. “It was supposed to be, just drive in, allow people to pick up signs, do a couple photos.”

Scott said he was told by a town representative that the group was not permitted to be on town property.

According to Scott, he questioned what rule prevented the group from gathering there. 

“I pressed him, and I asked him, ‘What municipal bylaw is it that doesn’t allow me to be there?’ And then he said, ‘Well, it isn’t a municipal bylaw, it’s a provincial rule.’ And I said, ‘Well then, which one?’ And he couldn’t tell me.”

Scott maintains the group was exercising its Charter Rights and said he did not believe permission should have been required to gather. 

“I feel pretty uncomfortable asking for permission for something that’s guaranteed to me under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if the municipal bylaw says that you can’t gather in a public space to express your political opinions; that is contrary to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and therefore, it’s no force and effect.”

Whether a specific municipal or provincial rule applied to the gathering was not determined by the RCMP’s involvement and Wielgosz did not characterize the matter as a Charter violation.

Instead, he described the police response as routine assistance requested by a town peace officer.

“I can say that we received requests for assistance from the Town of Strathmore peace officer who was present,” he said. “It’s not uncommon to provide assistance between our services. There are times where we would request the assistance of our town peace officers, depending on the matters that we’re dealing with. So, it was quite routine to attend at their request.”

McGee said the group had been there for about 17 minutes before the town representative arrived. “We were there for about 17 minutes and all of a sudden a peace officer and representative of the town showed up,” McGee said.

Scott also questioned the timing. 

“I mean, it takes the cops an hour and a half to respond to a break and enter in someone’s house – 17 minutes to come and kick me out of a park?” Scott questioned.

The incident has also raised questions from the group about whether municipalities should remain neutral as Alberta’s referendum campaign develops.

McGee pointed to the presence of the Forever Canadian campaign, which opposes Alberta separation, saying the group had also been present in Lambert Park following the Strathmore parade.

“I do also know that the Forever Canadian campaign, which is on the other side of the referendum, which is completely their right to do so, and this is the beautiful thing about democracies. We all get a voice,” McGee said.

He questioned whether different political groups were being treated consistently when using public spaces.

“(So) I think that’s the biggest issue that people are having is, the Town of Strathmore looks like they’re targeting one side,” McGee said.

The town disputes that characterization in its statement, saying its requirements are applied consistently.

“These requirements are applied consistently, regardless of the cause or political viewpoint involved,” the Town said. The Town also said the group was ultimately able to continue gathering and expressing its views.

Wielgosz said police recognize that the referendum will likely result in more political gatherings and disagreements. He said the RCMP’s role is not to prevent people from holding political events.

“We’re not here to stop people from having their events,” Wielgosz said. “We want to make sure that they are held, and again, in a matter which people can freely assemble and associate as they please, but also in a manner that’s safe and lawful. And it doesn’t interfere with the rights of other people.”

Alberta’s referendum on the question of separation is scheduled for Oct. 19, meaning political activity surrounding the issue is expected to continue in communities across the province.

Wielgosz encourages groups planning larger gatherings to contact the RCMP ahead of time.

“I would encourage a group, for that matter, to approach our detachment, to have a discussion on how to facilitate any planned events to ensure that they’re carried out in a peaceful, lawful, and safe matter,” he said.

Scott said he plans to continue speaking publicly about the issue and will continue to exercise his Charter rights.