Thanks, Corey, for being one of the leaders -- it's very good that the national government has your representation in AB.
The separatists have indeed hijacked the political discourse in AB by capturing the UCP.
The separatist activists, as UCP leadership queen-makers and insiders, are likely threatening to expose the premier's corruption (health care procurements); she is clearly bending over backwards to hold on to her power.
It's quite a challenge to argue the case for Canada when dealing with a Conservative civil war between MAGA North and moderates.
But it's time to bear down and grit our way through this absurd game.
You are correct Canadians need to become more engaged and vocal.
We do have a great country. Majority do recognize it is worth fighting for its survival even though it’s not perfect but it does offer us ALL potential we need to put to work for EVERYONE today!
If there is a hesitancy it’s because there is too much global turbulence. Too much constant negativity and misinformation. It’s over bearing and draining. It’s easier to put our head back down and ignore the situation and just say I am tired.
We ALL need to ask ourselves are we ready to accept the risk?
Speaking for myself no I am not.
I will gather my strength to support Canada we just need to have a leader from Alberta who will lead the charge.
Thank you, Corey. We need all rational, caring Albertans to speak out. Speak out for our country and for our province and the future of that province in Canada, because this constant focus on negativity and power grabs is detrimental to our present well being and to our future. It is unfortunate that our provincial government is not on the side of the majority of Albertans, who want all of the separatism talk and action to stop. Our premier keeps talking about the vocal minority, while ignoring the majority.
You hit the nail on the head: none of the people leading the separatist cause has been elected anywhere (unless you count Danielle Smith, who did not get elected on a separatist platform, and if she had run on that platform, would not have been elected).
I was transferred from Quebec to Alberta after the 1995 referendum. Corporate moves were being announced 3 days after the referendum. While all the separatist chatter was going on corporations were planning their moves out. I suspect my corporation is doing as they did in 1995. We have offices all across Canada so relocating out of Alberta would be a non issue. Quebec lost 37% of its population after the 1995 referendum. Corporations left. Transferred out thousands of employees and terminated thousands. Family members of transferred employees left as well. I saw PM Mark Carney’s words today re if a referendum is held the rights of First Nations need to be respected. I voted for PM Mark Carney. I wish in that statement he would have included the 70% of Albertan’s who are not First Nations but who stand 100% with First Nations who are having our Canadian Charter rights stripped away daily. We have had our private data stolen and no one seems to give a damn. Donbas Dani hardly gave it 5 minutes thought but her blessed separatists have an issue and she is on it within 24 hours and with our tax dollars. We are being emotionally and mentally abused daily by Donbas Dani and her co-conspirators. We are reaching our breaking point with zero support. Federally laws need to be strengthened to ensure a Premier who is really in a caretaker role cannot change laws that affect the Provincial Elections office scope, scope of judiciary. Laws referendums, and that a Justice Minister cannot give himself full immunity from prosecution. Canada is the head of the federation. Re election laws, authority, judiciary, etc. each province should all be playing from the same playbook. A Premier should have zero authority to rewrite laws re election offices authority, judiciary authority, referendums, etc. Those laws have to be exactly the same across all provinces and territories. Smith rewrites laws after they game out their next scam. They rewrote the laws to allow for the scam to proceed. She has been doing this sunce day 1. One of her first was to change the law re how much they couid accept as gifts.
Even worse than the separatism hijacking might be the grift behind it all.
Everyone needs to start following the money, because the capture of this govt looks to be about more than just ideology.
We know that Smith has been systematically funnelling hundreds of millions of public funds to private businesses connected to the UCP.
Generosity or kickbacks?
The list is long: health care contracts (inflated, sole source) for Covid PPE, children's Tylenol, surgeries, addiction rehab centres.
All of these involve the premier's associate, Sam Mraiche, a man with a long trail of fraud and scams (see Globe and Mail), who is also related to Mickey Amery, Min of Justice.
(BTW, the UCP weakened the Elections AB powers last fall to retroactively prevent investigation into Mraiche's likely over-the-limit donations to the UCP in 2024. We are still awaiting investigations by the RCMP and Auditor General into the AHS procurements.)
Perhaps we should be digging into other UCP govt contracts to connected insiders... such as separatists?
I disagree with you that separatism is the only thing being discussed. Myself and thousands of other Albertans collected nearly 500,000 pro-Canada signatures in 90 days for last year's Forever Canadian campaign. You and other political leaders need to be lifting it up as the true example of how Albertans are responding, not continually harping anout the sleazy separatists and their dubious, unverified signature count. Vive le Canada!
That’s an excellent video you give me hope we can overcome this .. As a lifelong Albertan I have for the first time time in my life considered selling and moving as it’s become a place I don’t recognize nor can I afford
I left Alberta in 1994 and have been mostly ashamed of my home Province's behavior on the national stage since then, as well as the common and constant fed bashing and perceived whining that so diminishes the incredible 'can do' attitude that pervades everything else about Albertans. Thank you for restoring my sense that the good and beautiful things about Alberta and my country are worth the effort. That 'can do' attitude has been exported throughout Canada. We live in every province, and the culture of the whole is better for it.
It's said that so-called populists are noted for two main things.
The first is claiming that simple answers or taking points are the solution to complex problems. There's no arguing with them as their course of action is the only and uncompromising way...as long they perceive they have leverage. In this case it's pressure on the Premier and her party. If & when they lose a referendum it'll be because of some failure in democracy, ie - "it was rigged by Liberals & communists."
Secondly the source of their grievances is never examined introspectively. It's always someone else's fault. The Left generally along with Indigenous people, immigrants, the Rainbow 🌈 people and anyone who shows a shred of tolerance towards those different from themselves
I know you were specifically referring to separatists, but aren't't these same folks flying Canadian flags off their vehicles not so long ago?
Stay Free Alberta fails a good old-fashioned children's “Read-All-Instructions” test:
Read all instructions carefully before trying to break up the Canadian Confederation.
Launch a petition in favour of Alberta separatism.
When an Alberta court rules that a petition in favour of Alberta separatism is unconstitutional, wait for the Government of Alberta to amend the Citizen Initiative Act to remove the requirement that citizen-led referendum questions undergo constitutional screening.
Immediately submit a new petition, get it blessed by Elections Alberta, and acquire above and beyond the number of signatures required to get your Alberta separatism referendum question on the ballot.
Wait for a coalition of First Nations to launch a lawsuit to block the petition, putting forward the legal argument that it violates Treaties 7 and 8 with the Crown and the “Duty to Consult”.
Together with the Government of Alberta, argue that the gathering of petition signatures was merely a “political discussion” and the “Duty to Consult” only kicks in after a referendum - and if the citizens of Alberta voted in favour of secession but before talks with the Government of Canada begin.
Watch the Courts rule in favour of the First Nations, killing the separatism petition.
Watch the Courts chastise the provincial government and Elections Alberta for their actions in allowing things to get this far.
Wait for the Government of Alberta to appeal the decision but if that fails realize a significant judicial precedent has been set, with wide-reaching ramifications for those who favour breaking up Canada - whether it be in Alberta or Quebec.
Before rushing through steps 2 through 9, you must consult with the First Nations.
Alberta needs to get its product to market. Hindering that only feeds the separatist movement. So, put shovels in the ground in June 2026 for Energy North and Energy East, and this bullshit all goes away.
Hey BC. If Alberta separates, good luck getting anything from Port of Vancouver to anywhere east of Field, BC.
How can you.say any country.is perfect when.we see what everyone else. Has and attempt .to bring it .home.thinking its better than what we have. look at us. we are all over the place.
Calling my MLA & the premier right now!
Albertans shouldn’t be paying for this separatist appeal when we don’t even want it!
We have been paying for all the court cases to date and the lie filled Government database released re the referendum questions.
Absolutely agree!!
Thanks, Corey, for being one of the leaders -- it's very good that the national government has your representation in AB.
The separatists have indeed hijacked the political discourse in AB by capturing the UCP.
The separatist activists, as UCP leadership queen-makers and insiders, are likely threatening to expose the premier's corruption (health care procurements); she is clearly bending over backwards to hold on to her power.
It's quite a challenge to argue the case for Canada when dealing with a Conservative civil war between MAGA North and moderates.
But it's time to bear down and grit our way through this absurd game.
Let's go, Team Canada!
Excellent piece. Thank you MP Hogan. It could be better with the inclusion of the indigenous part of our story. Perhaps in your next post.
You are correct Canadians need to become more engaged and vocal.
We do have a great country. Majority do recognize it is worth fighting for its survival even though it’s not perfect but it does offer us ALL potential we need to put to work for EVERYONE today!
If there is a hesitancy it’s because there is too much global turbulence. Too much constant negativity and misinformation. It’s over bearing and draining. It’s easier to put our head back down and ignore the situation and just say I am tired.
We ALL need to ask ourselves are we ready to accept the risk?
Speaking for myself no I am not.
I will gather my strength to support Canada we just need to have a leader from Alberta who will lead the charge.
Thank you, Corey. We need all rational, caring Albertans to speak out. Speak out for our country and for our province and the future of that province in Canada, because this constant focus on negativity and power grabs is detrimental to our present well being and to our future. It is unfortunate that our provincial government is not on the side of the majority of Albertans, who want all of the separatism talk and action to stop. Our premier keeps talking about the vocal minority, while ignoring the majority.
You hit the nail on the head: none of the people leading the separatist cause has been elected anywhere (unless you count Danielle Smith, who did not get elected on a separatist platform, and if she had run on that platform, would not have been elected).
I was transferred from Quebec to Alberta after the 1995 referendum. Corporate moves were being announced 3 days after the referendum. While all the separatist chatter was going on corporations were planning their moves out. I suspect my corporation is doing as they did in 1995. We have offices all across Canada so relocating out of Alberta would be a non issue. Quebec lost 37% of its population after the 1995 referendum. Corporations left. Transferred out thousands of employees and terminated thousands. Family members of transferred employees left as well. I saw PM Mark Carney’s words today re if a referendum is held the rights of First Nations need to be respected. I voted for PM Mark Carney. I wish in that statement he would have included the 70% of Albertan’s who are not First Nations but who stand 100% with First Nations who are having our Canadian Charter rights stripped away daily. We have had our private data stolen and no one seems to give a damn. Donbas Dani hardly gave it 5 minutes thought but her blessed separatists have an issue and she is on it within 24 hours and with our tax dollars. We are being emotionally and mentally abused daily by Donbas Dani and her co-conspirators. We are reaching our breaking point with zero support. Federally laws need to be strengthened to ensure a Premier who is really in a caretaker role cannot change laws that affect the Provincial Elections office scope, scope of judiciary. Laws referendums, and that a Justice Minister cannot give himself full immunity from prosecution. Canada is the head of the federation. Re election laws, authority, judiciary, etc. each province should all be playing from the same playbook. A Premier should have zero authority to rewrite laws re election offices authority, judiciary authority, referendums, etc. Those laws have to be exactly the same across all provinces and territories. Smith rewrites laws after they game out their next scam. They rewrote the laws to allow for the scam to proceed. She has been doing this sunce day 1. One of her first was to change the law re how much they couid accept as gifts.
Donbas Dani -- omg that's brilliant!
Even worse than the separatism hijacking might be the grift behind it all.
Everyone needs to start following the money, because the capture of this govt looks to be about more than just ideology.
We know that Smith has been systematically funnelling hundreds of millions of public funds to private businesses connected to the UCP.
Generosity or kickbacks?
The list is long: health care contracts (inflated, sole source) for Covid PPE, children's Tylenol, surgeries, addiction rehab centres.
All of these involve the premier's associate, Sam Mraiche, a man with a long trail of fraud and scams (see Globe and Mail), who is also related to Mickey Amery, Min of Justice.
(BTW, the UCP weakened the Elections AB powers last fall to retroactively prevent investigation into Mraiche's likely over-the-limit donations to the UCP in 2024. We are still awaiting investigations by the RCMP and Auditor General into the AHS procurements.)
Perhaps we should be digging into other UCP govt contracts to connected insiders... such as separatists?
We got this!
I disagree with you that separatism is the only thing being discussed. Myself and thousands of other Albertans collected nearly 500,000 pro-Canada signatures in 90 days for last year's Forever Canadian campaign. You and other political leaders need to be lifting it up as the true example of how Albertans are responding, not continually harping anout the sleazy separatists and their dubious, unverified signature count. Vive le Canada!
That’s an excellent video you give me hope we can overcome this .. As a lifelong Albertan I have for the first time time in my life considered selling and moving as it’s become a place I don’t recognize nor can I afford
So they are taking.all our “republi.cans” and giving them. their own space?? Similiar 2 Tai.wan having different rules.but still part of Chin.a?
I left Alberta in 1994 and have been mostly ashamed of my home Province's behavior on the national stage since then, as well as the common and constant fed bashing and perceived whining that so diminishes the incredible 'can do' attitude that pervades everything else about Albertans. Thank you for restoring my sense that the good and beautiful things about Alberta and my country are worth the effort. That 'can do' attitude has been exported throughout Canada. We live in every province, and the culture of the whole is better for it.
Well said, Mr. Hogan.
It's said that so-called populists are noted for two main things.
The first is claiming that simple answers or taking points are the solution to complex problems. There's no arguing with them as their course of action is the only and uncompromising way...as long they perceive they have leverage. In this case it's pressure on the Premier and her party. If & when they lose a referendum it'll be because of some failure in democracy, ie - "it was rigged by Liberals & communists."
Secondly the source of their grievances is never examined introspectively. It's always someone else's fault. The Left generally along with Indigenous people, immigrants, the Rainbow 🌈 people and anyone who shows a shred of tolerance towards those different from themselves
I know you were specifically referring to separatists, but aren't't these same folks flying Canadian flags off their vehicles not so long ago?
All the best!
(Massive fan of The Strategists podcast)
Stay Free Alberta fails a good old-fashioned children's “Read-All-Instructions” test:
Read all instructions carefully before trying to break up the Canadian Confederation.
Launch a petition in favour of Alberta separatism.
When an Alberta court rules that a petition in favour of Alberta separatism is unconstitutional, wait for the Government of Alberta to amend the Citizen Initiative Act to remove the requirement that citizen-led referendum questions undergo constitutional screening.
Immediately submit a new petition, get it blessed by Elections Alberta, and acquire above and beyond the number of signatures required to get your Alberta separatism referendum question on the ballot.
Wait for a coalition of First Nations to launch a lawsuit to block the petition, putting forward the legal argument that it violates Treaties 7 and 8 with the Crown and the “Duty to Consult”.
Together with the Government of Alberta, argue that the gathering of petition signatures was merely a “political discussion” and the “Duty to Consult” only kicks in after a referendum - and if the citizens of Alberta voted in favour of secession but before talks with the Government of Canada begin.
Watch the Courts rule in favour of the First Nations, killing the separatism petition.
Watch the Courts chastise the provincial government and Elections Alberta for their actions in allowing things to get this far.
Wait for the Government of Alberta to appeal the decision but if that fails realize a significant judicial precedent has been set, with wide-reaching ramifications for those who favour breaking up Canada - whether it be in Alberta or Quebec.
Before rushing through steps 2 through 9, you must consult with the First Nations.
Alberta needs to get its product to market. Hindering that only feeds the separatist movement. So, put shovels in the ground in June 2026 for Energy North and Energy East, and this bullshit all goes away.
Hey BC. If Alberta separates, good luck getting anything from Port of Vancouver to anywhere east of Field, BC.
How can you.say any country.is perfect when.we see what everyone else. Has and attempt .to bring it .home.thinking its better than what we have. look at us. we are all over the place.