Alberta separatists have tended to have a mid-life crisis divorced guy kind of vibe: they feel stuck in the drudge work of a relationship. Things haven't been going well. There's been personal and financial setbacks. They're fantasizing about how much better things would be if they were off on their own. Imagine all the cool, fun stuff they could do if they weren't tied down by the compromises and constraints of their relationship! Instead of being stuck in that same relationship, there could be all kinds of new, hot, exciting relationships with others! They'd have so much more money if they weren't spending it all on this boring stuff!!
What they end up missing is how much their errors and habits have been contributing to the state of the relationship. They've missed the fact that relationships require work to stay healthy and happy. They don't understand that walking away isn't going to be as clean or simple as they think, and there's a lot that they're going to miss when it's gone. Instead of the glorious, awesome, exciting life they imagine, they're more likely to end up watching golf alone in a sad apartment.
I don't think this divorced guy vibe is entirely a coincidence, either: for years, divorced middle-aged men have been getting pulled into right wing populist politics. These guys have gone through a rough divorce, probably had a hard time with the courts with respect to child and spousal support, and feel like the rug got pulled out from under their feet vs. their expectations for what they saw as traditional norms and roles. The right wing populist messaging appeals to that sense of displacement, threat to status, and resentment. I've seen polling indicating that people earning more than $80K per year but have trouble making ends meet are over-represented among populists: that helps explain the appeal of the separatist message that Alberta's financial problems are all about transfer payments and a need to increase oil revenue. I'm curious if polling would show a higher representation of the divorced middle-aged guy as well?
Thanks, great article, the playbook they’re using is crystal clear. One more point to add: separatists like to try to use the manipulation that “Canada use to be good, but not anymore, and that a separate Alberta would be a return to the way Canada was”. An obvious manipulation and absurdly they’re also unable to identify exactly when “Canada was good” because they’re trying to appeal to varying generations.
Clinical language or psychological terms are often used delegitimize an opponent's tactics. No surprises there.
Why, someone please tell me. Why do so many Albertans want out? Is it because they've been lied to or gaslit?
Rather than crapping on the separatists, my thoughts are its time to hit the constitutional round table and renegotiate the terms of Canada.
These are still our fellow citizens, but as I I have commented elsewhere, this time the separatists were amateurs. The next time the might well have a solid leader and followers who want out and that's all she wrote.
The author did not offer any solutions. We need to find some ASAP.
I still want to know the plan to get Canada to the table
We will never get an equal voice without voting to leave. As it currently stands, in a non binding referendum, leave is the sane vote. Constitutional reform only comes from getting that pathway opened. The status quo is not Acceptable any longer, and that’s what a stay vote gives us. How are you opening the pathway to a fair voice for AB. That needs a serious answer. I will not be changing my mind until you can give me that answer.
I'm very pleased to read this, particularly as it is coming from three obviously accomplished and well-known Albertans.
I do wonder, though, why it has taken so long to hear this--and why we haven't heard this from the supposed leader of the federalist forces in Alberta, Pierre Poilievre?
I would note, as well, that abusive and dismissive rhetoric from pro-separatists on these fora has been rampant. Some of these folks have been as willing as Rath and his cabal to indulge in false narratives WRT Alberta and its place in Canada.
I agree strongly that " ..... most Albertans don’t want to leave Canada. They want a better place within it...". Yes!
It's obvious that federal actions have harmed Alberta's prosperity, level of success, and nature, and that central Canadians voted in the party recently responsible for the inequities.
The major question for some who want to stay in Canada is whether finding a better place within Canada is in any way imminent. On the other hand, I think that separatists have not provided answers to the many implementation questions because they have not thought that far. They say they arranged interim financing but they still have no plan. The lack of a plan in itself provides serious caution to those frustrated with the current situation in Canada.
What are Carney's Liberals' real intentions? Carney gets media attention re signing existing trade deals, but where are the changes in Canada. Will the Liberals change the laws and regulations rather than just stop actions like collecting the carbon tax? When a judge whose words indicate already made decisions, does not remove himself from the federal appeal of two previous courts' decisions against the Liberals, what does that say? When central Canadians use the word traitor against separatists - is that the start of elbows up against us?
I'm voting to stay. But I need shovels in the ground, less law and regulation out of Ottawa, a fairer representation in Parliament and particularly the Senate, and less trashing of everything west and separatist, to increase my comfort within Canada. Does central Canada even realize there's an issue?
You won't get any of those things. Face facts: your choices are secede or suck it up and carry on. You can whine all you want, but my fellow Central Canadians will continue laughing at you. And taking your money. Because you don't have the guts to leave.
Metaphors distill complexity. Dumbing down to reach the masses is a tried and true strategy. Unfortunately, it can backfire.
Justin Trudeau played with “matches” for almost a decade. The Liberal Party of Canada and the NDP enabled his careless and divisive rhetoric. Using it and the weaknesses of constitutional representation and party structure to “thread the needle” to electoral victory.
Are the separatists using a similar strategy, absolutely. It is all about “threading the needle” to victory. Using our own institutions against us.
Trudeau and Smith may have started off with the best of intentions but clearly they lost the “plot”. The extreme elements of their parties pulled them off centre. Some would say willingly.
Entryism is a growing concern in the West. Taking over established institutions whose historical goodwill is used to legitimize a significant shift away from mainstream values. An appeal from a recognized authority who no longer represents the mainstream. Using the institution as cover. Constitutional reform is the solution to regional grievances. None of our federal parties seem willing to take it on and so here we are……………again.
Alberta separatists have tended to have a mid-life crisis divorced guy kind of vibe: they feel stuck in the drudge work of a relationship. Things haven't been going well. There's been personal and financial setbacks. They're fantasizing about how much better things would be if they were off on their own. Imagine all the cool, fun stuff they could do if they weren't tied down by the compromises and constraints of their relationship! Instead of being stuck in that same relationship, there could be all kinds of new, hot, exciting relationships with others! They'd have so much more money if they weren't spending it all on this boring stuff!!
What they end up missing is how much their errors and habits have been contributing to the state of the relationship. They've missed the fact that relationships require work to stay healthy and happy. They don't understand that walking away isn't going to be as clean or simple as they think, and there's a lot that they're going to miss when it's gone. Instead of the glorious, awesome, exciting life they imagine, they're more likely to end up watching golf alone in a sad apartment.
I don't think this divorced guy vibe is entirely a coincidence, either: for years, divorced middle-aged men have been getting pulled into right wing populist politics. These guys have gone through a rough divorce, probably had a hard time with the courts with respect to child and spousal support, and feel like the rug got pulled out from under their feet vs. their expectations for what they saw as traditional norms and roles. The right wing populist messaging appeals to that sense of displacement, threat to status, and resentment. I've seen polling indicating that people earning more than $80K per year but have trouble making ends meet are over-represented among populists: that helps explain the appeal of the separatist message that Alberta's financial problems are all about transfer payments and a need to increase oil revenue. I'm curious if polling would show a higher representation of the divorced middle-aged guy as well?
Thanks, great article, the playbook they’re using is crystal clear. One more point to add: separatists like to try to use the manipulation that “Canada use to be good, but not anymore, and that a separate Alberta would be a return to the way Canada was”. An obvious manipulation and absurdly they’re also unable to identify exactly when “Canada was good” because they’re trying to appeal to varying generations.
Clinical language or psychological terms are often used delegitimize an opponent's tactics. No surprises there.
Why, someone please tell me. Why do so many Albertans want out? Is it because they've been lied to or gaslit?
Rather than crapping on the separatists, my thoughts are its time to hit the constitutional round table and renegotiate the terms of Canada.
These are still our fellow citizens, but as I I have commented elsewhere, this time the separatists were amateurs. The next time the might well have a solid leader and followers who want out and that's all she wrote.
The author did not offer any solutions. We need to find some ASAP.
I still want to know the plan to get Canada to the table
We will never get an equal voice without voting to leave. As it currently stands, in a non binding referendum, leave is the sane vote. Constitutional reform only comes from getting that pathway opened. The status quo is not Acceptable any longer, and that’s what a stay vote gives us. How are you opening the pathway to a fair voice for AB. That needs a serious answer. I will not be changing my mind until you can give me that answer.
Really. How many Albertans. How many seats in commons or senate. How much equalization.
I'm very pleased to read this, particularly as it is coming from three obviously accomplished and well-known Albertans.
I do wonder, though, why it has taken so long to hear this--and why we haven't heard this from the supposed leader of the federalist forces in Alberta, Pierre Poilievre?
I would note, as well, that abusive and dismissive rhetoric from pro-separatists on these fora has been rampant. Some of these folks have been as willing as Rath and his cabal to indulge in false narratives WRT Alberta and its place in Canada.
I agree strongly that " ..... most Albertans don’t want to leave Canada. They want a better place within it...". Yes!
It's obvious that federal actions have harmed Alberta's prosperity, level of success, and nature, and that central Canadians voted in the party recently responsible for the inequities.
The major question for some who want to stay in Canada is whether finding a better place within Canada is in any way imminent. On the other hand, I think that separatists have not provided answers to the many implementation questions because they have not thought that far. They say they arranged interim financing but they still have no plan. The lack of a plan in itself provides serious caution to those frustrated with the current situation in Canada.
What are Carney's Liberals' real intentions? Carney gets media attention re signing existing trade deals, but where are the changes in Canada. Will the Liberals change the laws and regulations rather than just stop actions like collecting the carbon tax? When a judge whose words indicate already made decisions, does not remove himself from the federal appeal of two previous courts' decisions against the Liberals, what does that say? When central Canadians use the word traitor against separatists - is that the start of elbows up against us?
I'm voting to stay. But I need shovels in the ground, less law and regulation out of Ottawa, a fairer representation in Parliament and particularly the Senate, and less trashing of everything west and separatist, to increase my comfort within Canada. Does central Canada even realize there's an issue?
You won't get any of those things. Face facts: your choices are secede or suck it up and carry on. You can whine all you want, but my fellow Central Canadians will continue laughing at you. And taking your money. Because you don't have the guts to leave.
Well written and spot on. Thank you.
Metaphors distill complexity. Dumbing down to reach the masses is a tried and true strategy. Unfortunately, it can backfire.
Justin Trudeau played with “matches” for almost a decade. The Liberal Party of Canada and the NDP enabled his careless and divisive rhetoric. Using it and the weaknesses of constitutional representation and party structure to “thread the needle” to electoral victory.
Are the separatists using a similar strategy, absolutely. It is all about “threading the needle” to victory. Using our own institutions against us.
Trudeau and Smith may have started off with the best of intentions but clearly they lost the “plot”. The extreme elements of their parties pulled them off centre. Some would say willingly.
Entryism is a growing concern in the West. Taking over established institutions whose historical goodwill is used to legitimize a significant shift away from mainstream values. An appeal from a recognized authority who no longer represents the mainstream. Using the institution as cover. Constitutional reform is the solution to regional grievances. None of our federal parties seem willing to take it on and so here we are……………again.