The consultation on the future of Alberta gives free rein to the complaints against Ottawa

What I understand is that this room seems very convinced by the Albertan pensions regime and on the fact of voting on this subject. This room seems very convinced by the establishment of a provincial police, but not necessarily on the fact of voting on this subjectsummed up Danielle Smith at the end of the meeting held at Red Deerin the center of Alberta on Tuesday evening.

The Prime Minister also claimed to perceive a strong desire for reforming the Constitution, but she added that the process would be complicated, and the results, possibly disappointing.

There is a real desire to settle some of these questions which are simply fundamental.

The Prime Minister chairs this working group (new window) Composed of 15 people who aim to consult the Alberta population on key issues such as equalization, immigration and separatist desires. The proposals selected after these consultations will be subject to a referendum in 2026.

Ten people in people are organized from July to September, two virtual meetings will take place in October, and several surveys are available on the website of the working group.

At the first consultation on Tuesday evening, the organizers presented a series of videos asking questions to the participants on changes such as modifying federal transfers or refusing social programs to certain immigrants.

SENTIMENT D’Aliénation d’Ttawa

The host of the meeting and employee of the Prime Minister’s office, Bruce McAlister, dotted the two hours of meeting of hands -on surveys. About 80 % of participants expressed their approval to withdraw Alberta from the Canada pension plan and create a provincial police.

I would like to separate as much as possible from the federal government. I have the impression that the federal government has poorly managed taxpayers money, not just Albertans, but of all taxpayerssaid Bill Tompkinsone of the people participating in the meeting, before entering the room.

Wade Collinge, which wore a sweater from the separatist group Alberta Prosperity Project, spoke during the evening. We have to free ourselves from the East, we will never become west, we will never be equal in Canada, from what I understood, unless we can change the Constitutionhe said.

Anger against Quebec

What is seen as a preferential treatment of Quebec has also attracted the wrath of certain participants. The Prime Minister said he was intrigued by the idea of implementing an Albertan version of supply management.

Perhaps as access to a market system or perhaps simply because it would put sticks in the wheels of Quebec because we do not get our share of quotasshe said.

The eternal question of equalization (new window) also returned to the carpet. Danielle Smith argued that Quebec could harvest an additional $ 6 billion in income by increasing electricity by 4 cents per kilowatt hour. She also said that the beautiful province does not exploit its gas potential.

Opponents of separatist ideas

However, some participants opposed the separatist feeling, declaring to the committee that the Albertans should be ready to support other Canadians.

After the event, Dave Traversoriginally from Red Deersaid that he did not think that the feelings of this crowd reflected the point of view of most Albertans, which the opinion of opinion shows (new window).

Some demonstrators were present outside the meeting to denounce the prejudices of the working group.

I have the impression that there is a sort of established agenda and that what we say does not matterexplained Heather Plaiziersign by hand.

I really fear that we did not forget the indigenous peoples and all the reconciliation for which we worked and that we tried to achieve during the past yearadded Cassidy Simone.

The next meeting takes place Wednesday evening in the Edmonton region.

With information from Janet French, Jesmeen Gill and Eve side