Every now and then, my long-suffering spouse will look up from reading the news and say “is it time?” This is shorthand for “is it time to sell the house and get the heck out of this province?”
The Premier's active, and her tacit, support of the separatists in her party, and seemingly her caucus, is certainly not having a positive impact on our economy or future and the oxygen they have provided to the separatists seems to suggest she's hoping their petition succeeds.
I am anxious to see what she does about the successful Forever Canadian petition and whether the 456,000 of us who signed that are of any importance to her and her spineless, prevaricating, caucus?
As a native Albertan I am not thinking of moving as I have immense faith that, should the separatist's watered down petition result in a referendum, that Albertans will choose Canada overwhelmingly, but we can't lazily make that assumption, and do nothing to promote the pro Canada position 🇨🇦! Faith alone is not a strategy! 🍁
Wish I had your faith. But I just look at the calibre of thinking that rural Albertans demonstrate in their mindless adherence to the UCP and I have my doubts. My health kiboshed last year’s attempt to move to BC. Am doing all I can to recover and keeping my BC options open. Even if Albertans reject separation, I do not want to live in an atmosphere of constant whining and snivelling about how hard done by Alberta is. And for those thinking it—I will not let the gate hit me as I leave!
I would hesitate to lump all rural Albertans in that bunch. The majority of us are just as concerned about this bullshit, but we're not loud enough yet.
Thank you for this, Lisa. Count us (we are both semi-retired academics living in Lethbridge) among those having the identical conversation. Your last sentence in particular really resonates.
It's a tough one. We could move to BC if we wanted (we have some land and family there), but I wouldn't be happy feeling like I'd been forced out of my home province by a bunch of ignorant clowns.
My “favorite” bit from that poll is that 29% overall would vote for separation, but 77% said they would move out of the province if the separation vote won.
That means there’s a meaningful percentage who would vote for separation, but then leave the province.
This entire thing is a farce. Dangerous, damaging, and scary, but still a farce
If it helps... Alberta's low taxes (no PST, competitive income rates) lose their edge with pricier privatized healthcare, deregulated utilities 20-50% above peers, and top auto insurance costs. Families often end up with living costs matching or beating BC/Saskatchewan despite their higher taxes.
I also noticed when I lived in Alberta and visited Saskatchewan, retail prices were higher in Alberta. I wonder since tax wasn’t paid, if retailers felt they could push their margin further and cut into shoppers tax savings.
We're on the cusp of FINALLY getting to the long-avoided kitchen reno, with the money and mental bandwidth finally lining up...and now this has me asking "is it worth it?" A microcosm of the impact this conversation is likely having already, all over this province.
I've lived in Alberta all my life. So did my dad, but for the 5 years he devoted to the defense of democracy in the RCAF. It was his dad that chose this place, in 1910. So the thought of these self-righteous half-wits (not what I really call them) has me nursing a rage I didn't think possible.
It gets me to finally understand the emotion nursed by my wife's uncle, a 5th-generation Quebecker of Irish heritage, when he swore he'd be brandishing his rifle before letting them take his cherished Quebec out of Canada.
Interesting because ever since Danielle was elected we have been pointed west. Funny because we thought it was only us. Fanning separation sentiments is just more of her confrontational approach to dealing with the Federal government…the same government that bought and twinned the TMX to enable the doubling the export of Alberta bitumen to Asia. Grievance politics and treachery are her specialty.
My wife and I have this conversation once a week. I think if we ask ourselves the question enough we might say yes at some point. Then we would be gone.
We moved to AB in 1980, spent 10 years here then 25+ working overseas. We retired back in AB because of family and the mountains. While I am positive AB will not separate I am disgusted with DS & the UCP . Have been looking at properties in Eastern Canada for awhile now. Expect if DS-UCP win the next election we will leave, that’s a given if a referendum to separate passes.
Although I too would consider leaving if there was ever a vote won by the dolts that consider it useful to even consider Alberta separating from Canada, I would never leave before that outcome was a reality. I think we all owe it to our neighbours to stay and outvote the separation advocates.
Having the exact same conversation but unfortunately the numbers are depressing the real estate market even more and would substantially yank the Alberta market down while likely jacking up the already too hot BC market. Smith needs to go before we do.
My wife and I have talked about leaving in the event of a majority separation vote. There is no way we would stay in an independent Alberta. That being said I don't believe it could happen very quickly. Rath and his cohorts have never had a serious debate with anyone knowledgeable to dispute their so called legal arguments to allow separation. Their negotiation tactics and arguments, to be had with the federal government are flawed. All the separatists will do is create chaos and division.
The Premier's active, and her tacit, support of the separatists in her party, and seemingly her caucus, is certainly not having a positive impact on our economy or future and the oxygen they have provided to the separatists seems to suggest she's hoping their petition succeeds.
I am anxious to see what she does about the successful Forever Canadian petition and whether the 456,000 of us who signed that are of any importance to her and her spineless, prevaricating, caucus?
As a native Albertan I am not thinking of moving as I have immense faith that, should the separatist's watered down petition result in a referendum, that Albertans will choose Canada overwhelmingly, but we can't lazily make that assumption, and do nothing to promote the pro Canada position 🇨🇦! Faith alone is not a strategy! 🍁
Wish I had your faith. But I just look at the calibre of thinking that rural Albertans demonstrate in their mindless adherence to the UCP and I have my doubts. My health kiboshed last year’s attempt to move to BC. Am doing all I can to recover and keeping my BC options open. Even if Albertans reject separation, I do not want to live in an atmosphere of constant whining and snivelling about how hard done by Alberta is. And for those thinking it—I will not let the gate hit me as I leave!
I would hesitate to lump all rural Albertans in that bunch. The majority of us are just as concerned about this bullshit, but we're not loud enough yet.
Best wishes in stirring up voices—Alberta needs all the support its citizens have to give!
Thank you for this, Lisa. Count us (we are both semi-retired academics living in Lethbridge) among those having the identical conversation. Your last sentence in particular really resonates.
Gordon, my spouse and I are in the same headspace.
It's a tough one. We could move to BC if we wanted (we have some land and family there), but I wouldn't be happy feeling like I'd been forced out of my home province by a bunch of ignorant clowns.
My “favorite” bit from that poll is that 29% overall would vote for separation, but 77% said they would move out of the province if the separation vote won.
That means there’s a meaningful percentage who would vote for separation, but then leave the province.
This entire thing is a farce. Dangerous, damaging, and scary, but still a farce
If it helps... Alberta's low taxes (no PST, competitive income rates) lose their edge with pricier privatized healthcare, deregulated utilities 20-50% above peers, and top auto insurance costs. Families often end up with living costs matching or beating BC/Saskatchewan despite their higher taxes.
I also noticed when I lived in Alberta and visited Saskatchewan, retail prices were higher in Alberta. I wonder since tax wasn’t paid, if retailers felt they could push their margin further and cut into shoppers tax savings.
There are scattered complaints.
Albertans report higher retail/grocery prices than Saskatchewan, prompting some cross-border trips. Data shows Alberta often pricier.
We're on the cusp of FINALLY getting to the long-avoided kitchen reno, with the money and mental bandwidth finally lining up...and now this has me asking "is it worth it?" A microcosm of the impact this conversation is likely having already, all over this province.
I've lived in Alberta all my life. So did my dad, but for the 5 years he devoted to the defense of democracy in the RCAF. It was his dad that chose this place, in 1910. So the thought of these self-righteous half-wits (not what I really call them) has me nursing a rage I didn't think possible.
It gets me to finally understand the emotion nursed by my wife's uncle, a 5th-generation Quebecker of Irish heritage, when he swore he'd be brandishing his rifle before letting them take his cherished Quebec out of Canada.
Interesting because ever since Danielle was elected we have been pointed west. Funny because we thought it was only us. Fanning separation sentiments is just more of her confrontational approach to dealing with the Federal government…the same government that bought and twinned the TMX to enable the doubling the export of Alberta bitumen to Asia. Grievance politics and treachery are her specialty.
Yep.... we are considering the same escape/exodus.
My wife and I have this conversation once a week. I think if we ask ourselves the question enough we might say yes at some point. Then we would be gone.
We moved to AB in 1980, spent 10 years here then 25+ working overseas. We retired back in AB because of family and the mountains. While I am positive AB will not separate I am disgusted with DS & the UCP . Have been looking at properties in Eastern Canada for awhile now. Expect if DS-UCP win the next election we will leave, that’s a given if a referendum to separate passes.
Although I too would consider leaving if there was ever a vote won by the dolts that consider it useful to even consider Alberta separating from Canada, I would never leave before that outcome was a reality. I think we all owe it to our neighbours to stay and outvote the separation advocates.
Same conversation in our house - thank you to putting words to our feelings ❤️
Actually it’s very sunny here in central Ontario. Cold, and we have our own problems with Doug Ford, but…. sunny ☀️
Just sayin’.
Mrs David Smith Moretta cares only about the Alberta Republican Separatists more commonly known as the ARSES.
She as chief instigator would be known as the Queen of the ARSES or as the rest of the province calls her a pain in the ass.
Having the exact same conversation but unfortunately the numbers are depressing the real estate market even more and would substantially yank the Alberta market down while likely jacking up the already too hot BC market. Smith needs to go before we do.
My wife and I have talked about leaving in the event of a majority separation vote. There is no way we would stay in an independent Alberta. That being said I don't believe it could happen very quickly. Rath and his cohorts have never had a serious debate with anyone knowledgeable to dispute their so called legal arguments to allow separation. Their negotiation tactics and arguments, to be had with the federal government are flawed. All the separatists will do is create chaos and division.