# Alberta, Natural Resources, and the Rest of Canada **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 3, 2025, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872 "2025-05-03T00:31:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 21
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/401 "2026-01-06T18:39:00Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > I think we’ve just cut to the chase of this Alberta “separation” movement: > Become a US state. Probably not all Alberta secessionists want to join the US, but many do. There were a lot of US flags at one of their demonstrations recently. The ignorance on display here is just stunning. These guys clearly cannot see past the ends of their own noses when it comes to the disastrous implications of their actions. As I said earlier, this is all about defiance of Ottawa; they have no concept of the tremendous self-harm that even a realistic possibility of secession would cause. It’s just fortunate that these extremists are a tiny minority of Albertans. ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/402 "2026-01-07T01:03:18Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > defiance of Ottawa; Hmmm. Elbows up ring a bell? ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/403 "2026-01-07T01:11:32Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Probably not all Alberta secessionists want to join the US, but many do Some do. Some do across the country, not just in Alberta. As I keep hearing from people in this thread they don’t know anyone who wants independence, so commenting on what we want is just speculation on your part. This isn’t about replacing one obstructionist government with a different one. But if we had a choice I know we’d have better opportunity under Washington than Ottawa. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/404 "2026-01-07T02:10:42Z")
As an American… Once we get sanity back in Washington you’d hate being American then about as much as you hate being Canadian now. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/405 "2026-01-07T02:25:49Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > Probably not all Alberta secessionists want to join the US, but many do > > Some do. Some do across the country, not just in Alberta. As I keep hearing from people in this thread they don’t know anyone who wants independence, so commenting on what we want is just speculation on your part. No speculation required when there are abundant pictures. If some residents of a US state like Montana were lobbying for secession from the union and joining Canada instead, Trump would have them all arrested for treason. [![](https://m.economictimes.com/thumb/msid-120893592,width-1200,height-900,resizemode-4,imgsize-201619/alberta-rally-for-sovereignty.jpg) ](https://m.economictimes.com/thumb/msid-120893592,width-1200,height-900,resizemode-4,imgsize-201619/alberta-rally-for-sovereignty.jpg) [![](https://www.thetimes.com/imageserver/image/%2Fd7912867-b1a9-4c9c-b91e-6943b667ff8e.jpg?crop=1600%2C900%2C0%2C0&resize=1200) ](https://www.thetimes.com/imageserver/image/%2Fd7912867-b1a9-4c9c-b91e-6943b667ff8e.jpg?crop=1600%2C900%2C0%2C0&resize=1200) ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/406 "2026-01-07T02:33:00Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > As an American… > > Once we get sanity back in Washington you’d hate being American then about as much as you hate being Canadian now. They’d hate it a lot more when they find that they’ve lost their health care, their strong social safety net, their guaranteed non-contributory pensions, protections against gun violence, and many other things we tend to take for granted. ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/407 "2026-01-07T02:53:45Z")
None of which would happen when we are independent. Again it appears you think we are children and can’t manage our own affairs without the ‘adults’ being in charge and their guidance. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/408 "2026-01-07T04:14:04Z")
I’m talking about the “51st state” nonsense. The fact that these yokels think they can join the US just because they want to, and not only that, but that they can do it on their own terms while still retaining all the benefits they currently enjoy from being part of Canada, tells me that these people have the political and economic astuteness of a head of cabbage. This is getting more amusing all the time! ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/409 "2026-01-07T04:22:25Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I’m talking about the “51st state” nonsense Luckily, none of the proponents are seriously interested in this and the referendum question doesn’t ask this. So no worries. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/410 "2026-01-07T06:17:19Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > Luckily, none of the proponents are seriously interested in this and the referendum question doesn’t ask this. So all those American flags pictured at that rally were just there for decoration? The guy with the goat beard and sloganeering hat holding a professionally printed sign calling for joining the US is just a lone-wolf lunatic? Just because the “51st state” question won’t be on the proposed referendum **this** time – assuming it ever happens – doesn’t mean many of these yokels aren’t thinking about it as the next step down the road. In fact, according to a Nanos poll commissioned by the _Globe and Mail_ last May, 10% of all Albertans are convinced Alberta would be better off joining the US than trying to go it alone. Fortunately, the vast majority of Albertans live in an evidence-based reality and are in favour of staying in Canada. ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/411 "2026-01-07T07:24:25Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Fortunately, the vast majority of Albertans live in an evidence-based reality and are in favour of staying in Canada. Evidence is clear we’ll be better off without Canada dragging us down. Whether that results in a yes vote is the question. ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/412 "2026-01-07T07:30:31Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > all those American flags pictured at that rally were just there for decoration? Could be. We are attempting to get our freedom from Canada and, warranted or not, the US seeks the freedom manta well. The person waving a US flag has as much of a vote as the idiot waving a Palestinian flag. If the latter supports liberals do you reject their vote? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/413 "2026-01-07T17:36:04Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > all those American flags pictured at that rally were just there for decoration? > > Could be. We are attempting to get our freedom from Canada and, warranted or not, the US seeks the freedom manta well. I have no idea what that sentence means. But it seems futile to try to deny that there’s a pretty strong sentiment in Alberta toward joining the US, as naive and ridiculous as that might be, as evident from those two pictures I posted and dozens of news articles. Or this one, from the May 4 edition of the _Globe and Mail_, which carries the caption: “People gather in support of Alberta becoming a 51st state during a rally at the Legislature in Edmonton, on May 3.” [![](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/resizer/v2/MZDRDCZECRF4NLRJMPFGFYCVTU.JPG?auth=92d4d2297e88f20c4673aeec6f41e4775649338fd8be38109ffa5737020f1393&width=900&quality=80) ](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/resizer/v2/MZDRDCZECRF4NLRJMPFGFYCVTU.JPG?auth=92d4d2297e88f20c4673aeec6f41e4775649338fd8be38109ffa5737020f1393&width=900&quality=80) > [@Uzi](#): > > The person waving a US flag has as much of a vote as the idiot waving a Palestinian flag. If the latter supports liberals do you reject their vote? I don’t know what this means, either. But I’m pretty sure the idiot waving a Palestinian flag isn’t demanding that my province become part of Palestine. ---
**Author:** ![TheTooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/919ad9/32.png) [@TheTooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheTooth)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/414 "2026-01-07T19:30:51Z")
If and when Smith fails will you, personally, leave Canada for the US? ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/415 "2026-01-07T23:45:24Z")
@Uzi can correct me if I’m wrong, but he was voting in absentia in the last election because he no longer lives in Canada. Of course, that was a year ago. ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/416 "2026-01-08T00:26:17Z")
Heh, now who’s naive. ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/417 "2026-01-08T00:31:13Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I have no idea what that sentence means. Blame auto correct. What I’m saying is that I don’t care if some people want to become the 51st state. I’ll accept their vote on the yes side for independence. And if some people want to join the US, that doesn’t make their desire wrong or evil. What are you trying to say about them that they have a US flag? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/418 "2026-01-08T00:53:36Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > And if some people want to join the US, that doesn’t make their desire wrong or evil. No, I don’t think they’re evil. I just think they’re incredibly ignorant. Or to put it more kindly, they have a very naive ideology and a very simplistic view of how the world really works. As I said earlier, … > [@wolfpup](#): > > > [@LSLGuy](#): > > > > As an American… > > > > Once we get sanity back in Washington you’d hate being American then about as much as you hate being Canadian now. > > They’d hate it a lot more when they find that they’ve lost their health care, their strong social safety net, their guaranteed non-contributory pensions, protections against gun violence, and many other things we tend to take for granted. ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/419 "2026-01-08T01:26:33Z")
That is a distraction. Independence for Alberta does not change any of the things you mentioned. Some subset of people want to be part of the US and can make their case if the referendum passes. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/420 "2026-01-08T01:59:37Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > Luckily, none of the proponents are seriously interested in this and the referendum question doesn’t ask this. So no worries.. Ahem. You are familiar I’m sure with Jeffrey Rath with the Alberta Prosperity Project ? The one who led a delegation to Washington for statehood talks? Jesus Christ, how stupid do you think we are, anyway? The MAIN PROPONENT of this, is also very much in favour of the 51st state nonsense. [Alberta lawyer leads group to DC for statehood talks, says Canadians are ‘fed up’ | Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/media/canadians-fed-up-says-alberta-lawyer-leading-delegation-washington-statehood-talks?msockid=376792ca01b363cb1d3986a4009e62de) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872.md?page=22)