7.21.2005
Entertaining the Thought of Western Separatism
This past Sunday I was watching the TV when I came across CTV's Question Period, a Canadian political talk show. On the show was outgoing Liberal MP Dave Anderson who discussed his long political career with host Mike Duffy. During the interview, Mr. Anderson raised two concerns: 1. That Prime Minister Paul Martin was giving too much power to the provinces; and 2. That the federal government is listening to the demands of the provincial governments instead of listening to the MP's that represent the constituents within that province. Mr. Anderson went on to state that if such power trends continue, that it would not be long before the federal government would only exist to serve the needs and desires of the provincial legislatures.
The fact that Mr. Anderson and the hosts of Question Period can't see the reason why such a shift of power within the Canadian federal political system is ocurring is beyond me. Here we have the Liberals who have ruled for the past 13 years as if all that existed to Canada was Upper and Lower Canada, and therefore completely ignoring the West and Maritimes. Finally, because of the failure of the West being represented in federal politics, either through the Liberals or through the regionalist party, the Conservatives, people in the West are beginning to question the authority or right of the Liberals to govern them. And this is why the Liberals are starting to see this shift in the demands of power by the provinces. If the federal government is not going to listen to the Western provinces and therefore govern them fairly, than the provincial governments will step up and assume this role. With the Western provincial governments assuming this position (Alberta especially), they essentially end up demanding and/or assuming more power from the federal government. We can see this happening in the ever-increasing amount of heated conflicts and disagreements that both Alberta and Newfoundland have had with the federal government.
Such a power shift is likely to continue until ultimately separation from the rest of the country becomes the ultimate desire. Now I know what you might be thinking - that I am dreaming a little bit here - but I do see Alberta at least attempting to separate from Canada within the next ten years. The fact is that the various regions in Canada are too different and that there is nothing left that unifies us as a country. In an article found in the Western Standard called Imagined Nation, David Warren argues that there is nothing left holding us together. "Anything that was particular about the country- not about regions but about the country as a whole- has been obviated by government legislation, or put quite purposely into disuse. We are no longer a Dominion; we have a Queen only on paper; our system of Crown-in-Parliament has been negated by the quasi-presidential rule of a succession of 'federaste' prime ministers from Quebec. Our history is no longer taught in schools." I would also have to add to his list that those who fought for our country in World War 1 and 2 are now getting old and dying. Canada is becoming what Mr. Warren calls an "African state, with diverse tribes, and no memory of what...[we]...are doing together." Yet this lack of unifying force is but only one push in the direction of separatism.
What will cause the eventual separatism of Alberta and the West from Canada will be the continuing Liberal governance of our country. Now the truth is that most of Quebec and the West absolutely despise the Liberals. As a result Quebecors are going to heavily support their regionalist party the Bloc de Quebecois in the next federal election. The West also has their own regionalist party, the Conservatives with whom Westerners have thrown their support to in the last election and are going to continue to support in the next election. It is my view that the Conservatives are a regionalist party because that is exactly how they are viewed in the West and in Ontario. Westerners feel that because the Liberals won't pay attention to them and the NDP just isn't "strong" enough (as our electoral system of first-past-the-post favours a two party system and essentially belittles any third party) and therefore put their trust in the Conservatives to represent their interests in the federal parliament. As a result, Ontarians will never accept the Conservatives as a national party or a viable alternative to the Liberals, as they view the Western Conservatives as a threat to the status quo. This "hidden agenda" feeling that all Ontarians have with the Conservatives is caused by the fact that they are scared that if the Conservatives are elected into power, the West is going to gain all the power and the influence and therefore overrun their own wants and interests. Though this is a great exageration, Ontarians are still unwilling to give up any of the influence or attention in federal politics that they currently hoard to themselves and reluctantly give to Quebec. Ontarians literally don't care about the rest of Canada (I can say this from experience). They want to keep all the power and influence in federal politics to themselves. And since they have grown accustomed to such power and influence for the past 13 years, they will always view the Conservatives as a bunch of Westerners trying to take away their power and influence. This is what makes the Conservatives a Western regionalist party, and this is why Ontarians will never fully embrace the Conservatives. Left with no other choice, Ontarians will favour the Liberals despite all their stealing, cheating, bribing, and bullying.
The persistence of Ontario to vote Liberal in the next election will only allow the sores to fester. Though Liberal support has plunged in Quebec, it is likely that the next election will result in another Liberal minority government. Yet this time, I think we can expect the Liberals to lose a number of seats. In the previous election the Liberals won 21 seats in Quebec. Considering that Montreal is solidly Liberal, we could at least expect a couple lost seats. Even just the loss of two or three seats would allow the Bloc and the Conservatives to ally themselves together and actually defeat any bill that faces the House or collapse the government (even with the NDP and Independents voting with the Liberals). Even more so, with the release of the Gomery Report fresh in the minds of the public and politicians, it may be possible (but highly improbable) that we may see a Conservative minority government after the next election. If such an outcome were to occur, I feel that a Conservative minority government would collapse within a year. I argue this because the alliance between the Conservatives and the Bloc seems to be weak and only exists out of a common hatred towards the Liberals. After helping keep the Conservatives in power for a little while, the Bloc and Quebecors will decide that they liked it better with the Liberals and collapse the Conservative minority government. By that time the wound caused by the sponsorship scandal will be healed, and the separatist movement in Quebec will probably die down once again. It would then soon seem probable that the Liberals would win a majority or at least a strong minority government in the next couple elections.
But even if the Conservatives were to form a minority government, it may cause a bigger push towards separatism in the West. If the Conservatives were to have their minority government collapsed and the Liberals gain a majority or a strong minority government and continue ingnoring the West as they have for the past 13 years, I feel that such a glimpse of power and influence on the federal political scence and then a quick retraction would only leave Westerners feeling bitterness and hatred towards the rest of Canada and the Liberals. It seems to me that such a rejection may provide enough fuel for Alberta to push for separatism. Of course, if the Conservatives never do form a minority government, than it is likely that the push for separatism may not be so soon.
So what if separatism becomes an option? What makes it any different from ending up like Quebec sovereignty? First of all, Quebec separtism is only temporary. Quebecors are pissed off with the Liberals at the moment. But in a year or two they will get over it and separatism will lose support in the province. The fact is that the Liberals actually listen to Quebec and either willingly or unwillingly try to satisfy them. Quebec separatism has become more of a threat to use with the Liberals to warn them that they have been doing something wrong. Westerners on the other hand don't get the attention that Quebec does from the federal Liberals. Unless things change, Westerners are going to get sick and tired of waiting and Albertans will be the first ones to raise the separatist flag. If Alberta should separate from Canada, Saskatchewan and BC would most likely leave with them. Manitoba will also leave with Alberta (either willingly or reluctantly) when faced with the option of staying with Ontario and the rest of Canada and continuing to be ignored, or leaving with Alberta and having possibilities for the future. Besides, because Manitoba is primarily agricultural and rural, it shares more common interests and needs with Saskatchewan and Alberta, than Ontario or the rest of Canada.
Could such a split have a ripple effect across Canada causing the rest of the country to split up? Would Quebec want to separate as well, cutting off the Maritimes from Ontario and therefore forcing the Maritimes to separate? In any case, I would hope that Canada would still remain - but as a European Union style of government with a similar currency, etc.
But is it to early to claim that Western separation is inevitable? Is it too late to fix the situation and prevent Albertans from wanting to separate? Though it would be a momentous task, first steps could be taken by adopting a proportional representation electoral system and possibly the reform of the Senate to make it more effective. The easiest way to change all of this would be to have the Liberals start listening to the West. Just having them acknowledge that there is more to Canada than Ontario and Quebec could do wanders.
The fact that Mr. Anderson and the hosts of Question Period can't see the reason why such a shift of power within the Canadian federal political system is ocurring is beyond me. Here we have the Liberals who have ruled for the past 13 years as if all that existed to Canada was Upper and Lower Canada, and therefore completely ignoring the West and Maritimes. Finally, because of the failure of the West being represented in federal politics, either through the Liberals or through the regionalist party, the Conservatives, people in the West are beginning to question the authority or right of the Liberals to govern them. And this is why the Liberals are starting to see this shift in the demands of power by the provinces. If the federal government is not going to listen to the Western provinces and therefore govern them fairly, than the provincial governments will step up and assume this role. With the Western provincial governments assuming this position (Alberta especially), they essentially end up demanding and/or assuming more power from the federal government. We can see this happening in the ever-increasing amount of heated conflicts and disagreements that both Alberta and Newfoundland have had with the federal government.
Such a power shift is likely to continue until ultimately separation from the rest of the country becomes the ultimate desire. Now I know what you might be thinking - that I am dreaming a little bit here - but I do see Alberta at least attempting to separate from Canada within the next ten years. The fact is that the various regions in Canada are too different and that there is nothing left that unifies us as a country. In an article found in the Western Standard called Imagined Nation, David Warren argues that there is nothing left holding us together. "Anything that was particular about the country- not about regions but about the country as a whole- has been obviated by government legislation, or put quite purposely into disuse. We are no longer a Dominion; we have a Queen only on paper; our system of Crown-in-Parliament has been negated by the quasi-presidential rule of a succession of 'federaste' prime ministers from Quebec. Our history is no longer taught in schools." I would also have to add to his list that those who fought for our country in World War 1 and 2 are now getting old and dying. Canada is becoming what Mr. Warren calls an "African state, with diverse tribes, and no memory of what...[we]...are doing together." Yet this lack of unifying force is but only one push in the direction of separatism.
What will cause the eventual separatism of Alberta and the West from Canada will be the continuing Liberal governance of our country. Now the truth is that most of Quebec and the West absolutely despise the Liberals. As a result Quebecors are going to heavily support their regionalist party the Bloc de Quebecois in the next federal election. The West also has their own regionalist party, the Conservatives with whom Westerners have thrown their support to in the last election and are going to continue to support in the next election. It is my view that the Conservatives are a regionalist party because that is exactly how they are viewed in the West and in Ontario. Westerners feel that because the Liberals won't pay attention to them and the NDP just isn't "strong" enough (as our electoral system of first-past-the-post favours a two party system and essentially belittles any third party) and therefore put their trust in the Conservatives to represent their interests in the federal parliament. As a result, Ontarians will never accept the Conservatives as a national party or a viable alternative to the Liberals, as they view the Western Conservatives as a threat to the status quo. This "hidden agenda" feeling that all Ontarians have with the Conservatives is caused by the fact that they are scared that if the Conservatives are elected into power, the West is going to gain all the power and the influence and therefore overrun their own wants and interests. Though this is a great exageration, Ontarians are still unwilling to give up any of the influence or attention in federal politics that they currently hoard to themselves and reluctantly give to Quebec. Ontarians literally don't care about the rest of Canada (I can say this from experience). They want to keep all the power and influence in federal politics to themselves. And since they have grown accustomed to such power and influence for the past 13 years, they will always view the Conservatives as a bunch of Westerners trying to take away their power and influence. This is what makes the Conservatives a Western regionalist party, and this is why Ontarians will never fully embrace the Conservatives. Left with no other choice, Ontarians will favour the Liberals despite all their stealing, cheating, bribing, and bullying.
The persistence of Ontario to vote Liberal in the next election will only allow the sores to fester. Though Liberal support has plunged in Quebec, it is likely that the next election will result in another Liberal minority government. Yet this time, I think we can expect the Liberals to lose a number of seats. In the previous election the Liberals won 21 seats in Quebec. Considering that Montreal is solidly Liberal, we could at least expect a couple lost seats. Even just the loss of two or three seats would allow the Bloc and the Conservatives to ally themselves together and actually defeat any bill that faces the House or collapse the government (even with the NDP and Independents voting with the Liberals). Even more so, with the release of the Gomery Report fresh in the minds of the public and politicians, it may be possible (but highly improbable) that we may see a Conservative minority government after the next election. If such an outcome were to occur, I feel that a Conservative minority government would collapse within a year. I argue this because the alliance between the Conservatives and the Bloc seems to be weak and only exists out of a common hatred towards the Liberals. After helping keep the Conservatives in power for a little while, the Bloc and Quebecors will decide that they liked it better with the Liberals and collapse the Conservative minority government. By that time the wound caused by the sponsorship scandal will be healed, and the separatist movement in Quebec will probably die down once again. It would then soon seem probable that the Liberals would win a majority or at least a strong minority government in the next couple elections.
But even if the Conservatives were to form a minority government, it may cause a bigger push towards separatism in the West. If the Conservatives were to have their minority government collapsed and the Liberals gain a majority or a strong minority government and continue ingnoring the West as they have for the past 13 years, I feel that such a glimpse of power and influence on the federal political scence and then a quick retraction would only leave Westerners feeling bitterness and hatred towards the rest of Canada and the Liberals. It seems to me that such a rejection may provide enough fuel for Alberta to push for separatism. Of course, if the Conservatives never do form a minority government, than it is likely that the push for separatism may not be so soon.
So what if separatism becomes an option? What makes it any different from ending up like Quebec sovereignty? First of all, Quebec separtism is only temporary. Quebecors are pissed off with the Liberals at the moment. But in a year or two they will get over it and separatism will lose support in the province. The fact is that the Liberals actually listen to Quebec and either willingly or unwillingly try to satisfy them. Quebec separatism has become more of a threat to use with the Liberals to warn them that they have been doing something wrong. Westerners on the other hand don't get the attention that Quebec does from the federal Liberals. Unless things change, Westerners are going to get sick and tired of waiting and Albertans will be the first ones to raise the separatist flag. If Alberta should separate from Canada, Saskatchewan and BC would most likely leave with them. Manitoba will also leave with Alberta (either willingly or reluctantly) when faced with the option of staying with Ontario and the rest of Canada and continuing to be ignored, or leaving with Alberta and having possibilities for the future. Besides, because Manitoba is primarily agricultural and rural, it shares more common interests and needs with Saskatchewan and Alberta, than Ontario or the rest of Canada.
Could such a split have a ripple effect across Canada causing the rest of the country to split up? Would Quebec want to separate as well, cutting off the Maritimes from Ontario and therefore forcing the Maritimes to separate? In any case, I would hope that Canada would still remain - but as a European Union style of government with a similar currency, etc.
But is it to early to claim that Western separation is inevitable? Is it too late to fix the situation and prevent Albertans from wanting to separate? Though it would be a momentous task, first steps could be taken by adopting a proportional representation electoral system and possibly the reform of the Senate to make it more effective. The easiest way to change all of this would be to have the Liberals start listening to the West. Just having them acknowledge that there is more to Canada than Ontario and Quebec could do wanders.
:: posted by craig, 16:27
4 Comments:
Hmm craig... interesting... i agree with you on the first couple paragraphs, about how it is easier for liberals to deal with the provinces, than with the local MPs...
However, on Alberta separating, i just don't see it happening. not in ten years. i guess we should wait and see. Here is why i don't think that will happen: separation is a HUGE messy process, and starting a new country is hard to do. People like stability and continuity. I mean, imagine if alberta did separate-- how many people would move out of that province in order to maintain their Canadian (tried and true) citizenship? Also, people are busy with their own lives, and politics tends to fall in the background of their lives-- people have families and jobs and gardens to attend to.
Second of all, yes you are right that alberta is pissed off. they always have been. they always seem to get the short end of the stick (NEP for example) However, they do have a large unifed voice (CPC) in parliament, and Ralph Klein seems to be getting a lot air time-- he is being listened to. Why sacrifice that? i mean, they are angry, and might make the threats, but i think that due to the their current status, economic growth (the stable/strong Canadian Dollar)and all the logistics of separation, it just won't happen.
Now to talk about how there is nothing unifying the west with Canada. Yes there are regional differences, but i don't think they are big enough to cause Alberta/West to mentally cut themselves off from Canada. Their first loyalty is that they are Canadian, not a Manitobian, for example, when they travel abroad. English Canada also bands together to NOT be american. Families are also spread across Canada (Ft McMurry and the maratimes,NF) What is more, BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba ALL see themselves differently--and in alberta, we like to make fun of the tree huggers in BC and the Saskatchewan hicks (at least i heard a lot of those jokes when i lived there)When comparing it to Quebec, we can note that the Quebecois have an easier time establishing a "us and them" mentality when thinking about Canada. Alberta/West doesn't.
last thought: if the west does separate, which will be the next group to want to separate from their new country? Edmonton? hmm...
anyways, enough chatting, i am kind of tired. i just don't think it is that drastic.... however, if alberta does separate, I will be there pronto to get my Albertan citizenship! kidding,... but not really.... (what if i become the PM or *gasp* PRESIDENT of Alberta? ha! move over Ralphy!)
Take care and have fun reading! keep up the french too.
yo
However, on Alberta separating, i just don't see it happening. not in ten years. i guess we should wait and see. Here is why i don't think that will happen: separation is a HUGE messy process, and starting a new country is hard to do. People like stability and continuity. I mean, imagine if alberta did separate-- how many people would move out of that province in order to maintain their Canadian (tried and true) citizenship? Also, people are busy with their own lives, and politics tends to fall in the background of their lives-- people have families and jobs and gardens to attend to.
Second of all, yes you are right that alberta is pissed off. they always have been. they always seem to get the short end of the stick (NEP for example) However, they do have a large unifed voice (CPC) in parliament, and Ralph Klein seems to be getting a lot air time-- he is being listened to. Why sacrifice that? i mean, they are angry, and might make the threats, but i think that due to the their current status, economic growth (the stable/strong Canadian Dollar)and all the logistics of separation, it just won't happen.
Now to talk about how there is nothing unifying the west with Canada. Yes there are regional differences, but i don't think they are big enough to cause Alberta/West to mentally cut themselves off from Canada. Their first loyalty is that they are Canadian, not a Manitobian, for example, when they travel abroad. English Canada also bands together to NOT be american. Families are also spread across Canada (Ft McMurry and the maratimes,NF) What is more, BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba ALL see themselves differently--and in alberta, we like to make fun of the tree huggers in BC and the Saskatchewan hicks (at least i heard a lot of those jokes when i lived there)When comparing it to Quebec, we can note that the Quebecois have an easier time establishing a "us and them" mentality when thinking about Canada. Alberta/West doesn't.
last thought: if the west does separate, which will be the next group to want to separate from their new country? Edmonton? hmm...
anyways, enough chatting, i am kind of tired. i just don't think it is that drastic.... however, if alberta does separate, I will be there pronto to get my Albertan citizenship! kidding,... but not really.... (what if i become the PM or *gasp* PRESIDENT of Alberta? ha! move over Ralphy!)
Take care and have fun reading! keep up the french too.
yo
hey yolissa, thanks for your reply.
first of all, the time period that I have established in which Alberta may already try to separate from the rest of Canada is one that I am unsure of as well. I have to admit my original version said 10-20 years. But as I thought about how influential the next couple of elections could be, i ended up shortening the timeline for the potential for separation. I guess we will never really know what will happen....
Second, i agree that Albertans (and Westerners for that matter) do have a large unified voice in parliament. The problem is that the Liberals don't listen to them. We can see this is in the fact that the Liberals utterly despise the Conservatives and won't even listen or work with them, even to the point of working with the separatists (Bloc Quebecois). Also, as we all know, Ralph Klein is serving his last term in office. Whether his departure or successor will either weaken or strengthen the idea of Western sovereignty, we will have to see.
Thirdly, I do not see Alberta and the West completely cutting themselves off of Canada. I see them wanting self-government but still share a common currency, citizenship, and the like with the rest of Canada. I can see a European Union or united states form of government being the most likely to be chosen.
Fourth, yes separation is a messy business and most people do like stability and control. Though it is important to realize that the issue of western separation is gathering momentum within intellectual fields (through professor's in the Universities, politicians, think-tanks and businessmen/woman) and we cannot overlook this fact. Especially in the universities, professors may have a huge impact on their students, the next generation who will run this country. This is important to realize, for the general public may follow the voices of the academic community because of their lack of care or understanding of Canadian politics. As you even stated, people tend to push politics to the side in their lives, and as a result i think they may just follow the academics and politicians when the issue arises.
Finally, you argue that there are some forms of unity between all of Canada. I have a hard time with the arguement that family ties unite Canada. Even though someone's family may be dispersed throughout Canada, political differences and acceptance of "ideologies" may and will still exist between family members. Just because Albertans may not like Ontario (mostly because of their power and influence), it does not mean they hate all Ontarians. In the same way, Quebecors do not hate all Canadians. Family ties may be very strong, but i think they are a very weak source of political unity in Canada.
Recently I read a story in the Reader's Digest on what Canadians were most proud of. The answer of that rang out was that Canadians were proud of their neighbourhoods. As you can see, this is not one thing that everyone in Canada is proud of, rather, Canadians are proud of their own regional areas. This is but another example of the lack of unity between all of Canada. I have to admit that the only event or place where I experience nationalist pride or unity is in sports. As I watched the Montreal Word Aquatic Championships this past week, I managed to experience a sense of nationalistic pride for the first time in a long while. Maybe the government should catch on to this and start to heavily support our Olympic and Sport programs...
first of all, the time period that I have established in which Alberta may already try to separate from the rest of Canada is one that I am unsure of as well. I have to admit my original version said 10-20 years. But as I thought about how influential the next couple of elections could be, i ended up shortening the timeline for the potential for separation. I guess we will never really know what will happen....
Second, i agree that Albertans (and Westerners for that matter) do have a large unified voice in parliament. The problem is that the Liberals don't listen to them. We can see this is in the fact that the Liberals utterly despise the Conservatives and won't even listen or work with them, even to the point of working with the separatists (Bloc Quebecois). Also, as we all know, Ralph Klein is serving his last term in office. Whether his departure or successor will either weaken or strengthen the idea of Western sovereignty, we will have to see.
Thirdly, I do not see Alberta and the West completely cutting themselves off of Canada. I see them wanting self-government but still share a common currency, citizenship, and the like with the rest of Canada. I can see a European Union or united states form of government being the most likely to be chosen.
Fourth, yes separation is a messy business and most people do like stability and control. Though it is important to realize that the issue of western separation is gathering momentum within intellectual fields (through professor's in the Universities, politicians, think-tanks and businessmen/woman) and we cannot overlook this fact. Especially in the universities, professors may have a huge impact on their students, the next generation who will run this country. This is important to realize, for the general public may follow the voices of the academic community because of their lack of care or understanding of Canadian politics. As you even stated, people tend to push politics to the side in their lives, and as a result i think they may just follow the academics and politicians when the issue arises.
Finally, you argue that there are some forms of unity between all of Canada. I have a hard time with the arguement that family ties unite Canada. Even though someone's family may be dispersed throughout Canada, political differences and acceptance of "ideologies" may and will still exist between family members. Just because Albertans may not like Ontario (mostly because of their power and influence), it does not mean they hate all Ontarians. In the same way, Quebecors do not hate all Canadians. Family ties may be very strong, but i think they are a very weak source of political unity in Canada.
Recently I read a story in the Reader's Digest on what Canadians were most proud of. The answer of that rang out was that Canadians were proud of their neighbourhoods. As you can see, this is not one thing that everyone in Canada is proud of, rather, Canadians are proud of their own regional areas. This is but another example of the lack of unity between all of Canada. I have to admit that the only event or place where I experience nationalist pride or unity is in sports. As I watched the Montreal Word Aquatic Championships this past week, I managed to experience a sense of nationalistic pride for the first time in a long while. Maybe the government should catch on to this and start to heavily support our Olympic and Sport programs...
Hi Craig,
Interesting piece you wrote. I enjoyed reading it and Yolisa Joy's comments.
A few remotely pertinent thoughts:
If Quebec were to separate, many of Canada's problems would be ameliorated. The offense of the BQ in our national house would be gone; Ottawa would no longer need to be constantly in a state of appeasing Quebec and could glance to the West a little more often; the balance of power would shift west. The next time Quebec has a referendum on separation, perhaps the rest of Canada should have one too on whether we want Quebec to stay or leave!
The Reform Party should not have morphed into the CA and then the CPC (the Liberal-Lite Party). If the RPC had continued to live it would have remained strong in the West. Ontario and points east could have been left for the Liberals and the PC's to fight for and then the RPC could have made common cause with the PC's on a case by case basis and likely have been stronger against the Liberals. The RPC evolving back into the Conservative party was a mistake and weakened drastically both the cause of conservativism in Canada and the position of the West.
Will Alberta separate? I doubt it. Alberta has been belly-aching for 100 years, and will continue belly-aching for another 100. (BTW, I'm an Albertan living in Ontario.)
Will Quebec separate? I doubt it. Quebecois have the lowest bith rate in Canada. More Yes-voters are dying than being born. Immigrants to Quebec will always vote No on separation.
Canada's fate is to continue as a country run by an Ontario-controlled Ottawa which needs but hates the West and is in a constant state of angst to keep Quebec happy.
Interesting piece you wrote. I enjoyed reading it and Yolisa Joy's comments.
A few remotely pertinent thoughts:
If Quebec were to separate, many of Canada's problems would be ameliorated. The offense of the BQ in our national house would be gone; Ottawa would no longer need to be constantly in a state of appeasing Quebec and could glance to the West a little more often; the balance of power would shift west. The next time Quebec has a referendum on separation, perhaps the rest of Canada should have one too on whether we want Quebec to stay or leave!
The Reform Party should not have morphed into the CA and then the CPC (the Liberal-Lite Party). If the RPC had continued to live it would have remained strong in the West. Ontario and points east could have been left for the Liberals and the PC's to fight for and then the RPC could have made common cause with the PC's on a case by case basis and likely have been stronger against the Liberals. The RPC evolving back into the Conservative party was a mistake and weakened drastically both the cause of conservativism in Canada and the position of the West.
Will Alberta separate? I doubt it. Alberta has been belly-aching for 100 years, and will continue belly-aching for another 100. (BTW, I'm an Albertan living in Ontario.)
Will Quebec separate? I doubt it. Quebecois have the lowest bith rate in Canada. More Yes-voters are dying than being born. Immigrants to Quebec will always vote No on separation.
Canada's fate is to continue as a country run by an Ontario-controlled Ottawa which needs but hates the West and is in a constant state of angst to keep Quebec happy.
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