Alberta must lead, not leave

Welcome to Lead Not Leave: a team of academics, policy wonks, political activists and journalists forging a practical path forward for our fellow frustrated federalists.

The separatist crisis currently broiling in Alberta is forcing hard conversations among those of us who remain committed to keeping the province in a strong and proud Canadian Confederation. Hard because, frankly, we’re frustrated, too. The status quo is not desirable. A referendum on separation is even less desirable.

Escape is not a solution. It’s a cop-out at best and a dangerous distraction at worst. Alberta independence is not the path to a better future. It’s time for Alberta to lead, not leave.

And we are leading. We applaud the progress made on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Canadian and Alberta governments. While each of us quibble with individual elements, we feel that it is time to focus on moving this agreement forward. To focus on maximizing the benefits of the MOU while minimizing any risks — in both climate and energy — for Alberta and Canada. The MOU is a good start to addressing Albertans’ frustrations over our ability to do what we do well and to contribute to Canada.

The MOU is only the latest example of Alberta demonstrating that it can be on the leading edge of pushing policy and reforming the politics of this country. We’ve been at the centre of every successful constitutional reform initiative, securing provincial autonomy within a united Canada. We didn’t sit out on discussions of climate policy; we helped pioneer industrial carbon pricing. We didn’t simply complain about internal trade barriers; we helped build the western model that pushed Canada toward freer trade at home. When Ottawa overreached on impact assessment, Alberta helped craft a new approach that prioritizes trust in local leadership. When we saw jurisdiction getting in the way, we created new relationships with Ottawa and First Nations to improve children’s services, education, and policing. Alberta produces leaders, not leavers. We should be leading national conversations, not dodging them.

Given our ingenuity and the fact that this province is a powerful economic driver of the country’s wealth, a strong Alberta makes for a strong Canada. And a strong Canada safeguards the future of Alberta by providing stability, a broader home community, and a bigger presence on the world stage. We must work together, or all be weaker. This sometimes messy and frustrating future can only be secured by Alberta leading, not leaving.

So what are we going to do about it?

Welcome to Lead Not Leave: a team of academics, policy wonks, political activists and journalists forging a practical path forward for our fellow frustrated federalists.

This initiative will host structured conversations, or salons; test new ideas with stakeholders in policy labs; and contribute actionable ways of improving Alberta’s place in Confederation. We’re going to provide published analysis, policy briefs, media interviews, and implementation-ready recommendations intended to help Alberta, and Canada, steer a better course.

Our goal is to address Alberta’s legitimate frustrations in a way that is productive and pro-active, strengthening both Canada and our province’s place within it. Where separatists are offering attractive ideas, we’ll test them out. When their claims are rooted in wishful thinking or a retreat from grounded reality, we will call them out.

Our focus is on making the case for Alberta in Canada with a credible set of policy proposals — beginning with the progress demonstrated by the MOU — that will ensure this next generation of Albertans is leading the country, not leaving it.

As we have so often before.

For more information, please check out www.leadnotleave.ca

Signed,

Jared Wesley, University of Alberta;

Travis Toews, Former Alberta Minister of Finance;

Trevor Tombe, University of Calgary;

Andrew Leach, University of Alberta;

Jen Gerson, The Line;

Peggy Garritty, Community Member;

Jim Dinning, Former Alberta Treasurer; and

Ken Boessenkool, Meredith Boessenkool & Phillips