Who Will Lead The Charge?

By Leigh Patrick Sullivan

The current rise of Alberta independence sentiment has become the talk on the street. Water cooler gossip includes veiled references to anti-federalism, which isn't exactly new in Alberta, but now includes 'soft' comments of separation. The voices usually lower in tone, and the comment is put out with some caution: "...you know, maybe it is time that we said to hell with it and went on our own..." On the internet, websites and blogs, which are always up for interpretation, is alive with the talk of Western alienation. That seems to be the new buzzword in federal politics, replacing the now-rusty 'sovereignty-association' as a favorite with the parliamentary media watchdogs.

The Separatist Party of Alberta has noted an increase in website traffic, as have many other Alberta independence sites and organizations. Curiosity is surely a main factor, but common sense dictates that the more people who are exposed to the movement, the more they will start thinking about it as a viable option. What is needed now is a leader to step forward. Someone who will appeal to a cross-section of voters, selling the idea of independence. An individual who will unite all of the independence-minded Albertans into a strong political force.

Some say the answer lies within the current provincial government. The replacement frontrunners mostly include federalists. I doubt that Jim Dinning, whom I worked on a couple of campaigns for, has any intentions of moving Alberta towards a more independent route. Ditto Gary Mar, Iris Evans, Ed Stelmach, or any other rumoured candidates, with the possible exception of Ted Morton. Others believe that only by building a strong independence party can Alberta move the separation issue forward. I, for one, cannot see the Progressive Conservatives being the party to obtain more self-determination for Alberta. For one, they have had since 1971 to do it; and secondly, if a leader who wishes to begin taking Alberta down that path is elected, he will no doubt face strong opposition and possible defections from federalist Conservatives within his own party. This would damage the public image of the separation idea at the worst possible time.

Whichever path Alberta chooses in its quest for cutting ties with Canada, one thing is certain: there has never been a better, or more important, time for the leader to emerge.