# 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:** 30
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2026, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/584 "2026-02-16T03:24:59Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > And just for clarity, here is the wording from the SUCCESSFUL petition which was certified by Elections Alberta Dec 1, 2025 with 404,293 verified signatures: > > #### _“Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?”_ > > As this petition was deemed successful, THIS is the question that the legislature needs to vote on OR needs to put to a referendum to the Alberta electorate. > > The second (separation) petition is just redundant. This, especially this. Whatever happened to that petition that surpassed its goal anyway? Oh, right. Danielle Smith didn’t like it, so she’s ignoring that it ever occurred. ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2026, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/585 "2026-02-16T04:39:45Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Rather, they would be taken as a territory, given no representation in government, and be forced to hand over all of their oil and mineral resources to the US federal government. > > There would be no “joining” involved. Somebody should explain that to that separatist fellow who keeps posting. He’s consumed mega MAGA amounts of orange Koolaid. ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2026, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/586 "2026-02-16T04:43:33Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > This, especially this. Whatever happened to that petition that surpassed its goal anyway? > > Oh, right. Danielle Smith didn’t like it, so she’s ignoring that it ever occurred. Exactement! As the French would say. ---
**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:** [February 16, 2026, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/587 "2026-02-16T05:35:45Z")
> [@Biffster](#): > > Somebody should explain that to that separatist fellow who keeps posting. It’s being handwaved away so hard, my cat blew off the balcony. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2026, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/588 "2026-02-16T06:12:26Z")
Poor kitty! (Seriously, I hope that your cat is safe.) ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2026, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/589 "2026-02-16T07:05:38Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Yes. The word “state.” I know what is meant, but it would be better if it was “nation” or “country” rather than “state.” A ‘nation’ in Canada is used for Quebec or indigenous. It is ambiguous. ‘State’ is the legal term for a sovereign entity under international law. ‘Country’ is just common language. > [@Spoons](#): > > This, especially this. Whatever happened to that petition that surpassed its goal anyway? Who are you asking this of? I’m not responsible for any petition I didn’t initiate. But answer this. Say the petition’s terminology is used as a referendum, what happens after? What happens if it is ambiguous? As in it passes/fails with only a small number of people participating? What happens if it fails with a significant majority saying ‘No’? 1. If it passed in the referendum, then the status quo is maintained. But it can not prevent another referendum asking the question to leave. 2. Indeterminate 3. Nothing as it is not a clear question on independence. So, Smith would be just wasting money on running a referendum that accomplishes nothing. In other words, quoting Euphonious\_Polemic, “is just redundant”. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2026, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/590 "2026-02-16T12:30:14Z")
> [@Biffster](#): > > And treaties that predate the formation of Alberta as a province, not like anyone else. > [@Biffster](#): > > Somebody should explain that to that separatist fellow who keeps posting. He’s consumed mega MAGA amounts of orange Koolaid. **Moderating:** You need to make your argument without insulting other posters. This is not the Pit. Don’t do this again. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2026, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/591 "2026-02-16T13:22:34Z")
Noted left wing rabble rouser Jason Kenney thinks that even the threat of separation will reduce investment in Alberta. > **[Toronto Star ePaper](https://torontostarreplica.pressreader.com/article/281578067120520)** > > Toronto Star ePaper ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2026, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/592 "2026-02-16T14:39:42Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > Noted left wing rabble rouser Jason Kenney thinks that even the threat of separation will reduce investment in Alberta. Kenney: “A pipeline is a multi­year project, highly com­plex, involving tens of bil­lions in cap­ital spend­ing,” he said. “Who would want to green­light something like that in the middle of a huge fam­ily feud?” Kenney knows better and knows what actually shuts down investment in Alberta. [C48 and C69](https://globalnews.ca/news/5418579/alberta-kenney-senate-bills-referendum-equalization-pipelines/). Then he held a referendum on equalization payments that he essentially ignored. Also on the same vote were the Senate candidates. 3 conservatives won. Everyone in this thread thinks Carney is right in consulting all sorts of people on pipelines essentially devolving his veto power to them. Will he like Trudeau ignore the will of Albertans when it comes to the senate the next time a Senator needs appointing? ---
**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:** [February 16, 2026, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/593 "2026-02-16T16:35:51Z")
Major political uncertainty is _always_ bad for investment _anywhere_. Much of US business investment is on hold now awaiting some sign the craziness in DC is abating. Which means the administration’s policy volatility is the major inhibiting factor preventing the growth of traditional manufacturing hezvy jobs they claim to want to foster. Nothing surprising at all that as separatism seems to be gaining momentum in Alberta, everything else grinds to a halt. It also did when Quebec was all hot to leave back in the 70s & again in the 90s. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2026, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/594 "2026-02-16T17:09:32Z")
This article is helpful. [As Alberta separatists court the U.S., prosperity is fuelling a sovereigntist turn](https://theconversation.com/as-alberta-separatists-court-the-u-s-prosperity-is-fuelling-a-sovereigntist-turn-274914?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20February%2016%202026&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20February%2016%202026+CID_fe7828c030d3552f20fe95b8cc7624a1&utm_source=campaign_monitor_ca&utm_term=writes%20that%20most%20separatist%20movements%20take%20root%20in%20regions%20suffering%20persistent%20economic%20decline) ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2026, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/595 "2026-02-16T19:32:50Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > Kenney: “A pipeline is a multi­year project, highly com­plex, involving tens of bil­lions in cap­ital spend­ing,” he said. “Who would want to green­light something like that in the middle of a huge fam­ily feud?” > > Kenney knows better and knows what actually shuts down investment in Alberta. Except what he said is obviously true. ---
**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:** [February 17, 2026, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/596 "2026-02-17T01:18:12Z")
> [@Kropotkin](#): > > This article is helpful Yes. I thought this was particularly on-point: > Sovereigntists who blame Ottawa and equalization for every shortfall ignore the role of provincial policy in creating the ongoing boom-and-bust cycle in Alberta. They go on about the foolishness of ignoring economic reality and what the future holds. And it’s not climate change denialism: > (The Sovereigntists) presents the climate transition as an illegitimate imposition rather than a predictable structural shift that responsible governments could have prepared for. … > > Alberta’s sovereigntist discontent is a three-way collision: long‑cultivated politics of grievance against Ottawa; a self‑inflicted fiscal and social vulnerability rooted in decisions made during boom years; and a global energy transition that threatens a deeply embedded regional identity. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/597 "2026-02-17T02:51:46Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Alberta’s sovereigntist discontent is a three-way collision: long‑cultivated politics of grievance against Ottawa; a self‑inflicted fiscal and social vulnerability rooted in decisions made during boom years; and a global energy transition that threatens a deeply embedded regional identity. And the longstanding ties of provincial politicians to the oil industry warped provincial politics and shut down real debate over policy and priorities. Of course politicians often play only the short game, but extractive industries wreak such havoc that they need to be managed with a longer, inclusive, public view. ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/598 "2026-02-17T02:59:13Z")
> [@Kropotkin](#): > > Of course politicians often play only the short game, but extractive industries wreak such havoc that they need to be managed with a longer, inclusive, public view. Oh, I’m guessing that doesn’t include a veto for Albertans, correct? Consultation even? ---
**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:** [February 17, 2026, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/599 "2026-02-17T05:40:50Z")
“long‑cultivated politics of grievance against Ottawa;” ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/600 "2026-02-17T14:40:47Z")
Aided and abetted by the oil industry which wants unfettered access to the resource, no accountability for short and long term environmental destruction, low taxation, and costs of the industry, from clean-up to pipelines, paid for by the public. Of course this is not limited to Alberta and oil, but Alberta is the case we keep returning to here and it’s not like the Alberta first folks are calling for a green agenda, democratic socialism, or the end of capitalism and the nation-state. ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/601 "2026-02-19T01:53:34Z")
> [@Kropotkin](#): > > … it’s not like the Alberta first folks are calling for a green agenda, democratic socialism, or the end of capitalism and the nation-state. I’ve tried to parse this a couple of times. I’m not sure what your saying? ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2026, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/602 "2026-02-20T13:14:57Z")
Only that the Alberta first movement is an astroturf movement, not a grassroots movement that is about stripping public resources and funnelling profits to a small clique of oil companies with no regard for the people of Alberta. It is not about democratic participation, sustainable development, or any of the other challenges we face. Much has been spent to cultivate politicians and public sentiment but at its root it is a narrow agenda for the oil industry. ---
**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:** [February 20, 2026, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872/603 "2026-02-20T13:19:34Z")
They are literally holding an Alberta separation petition drive… IN THE USA! ha! Couldn’t find enough people? I know a place where they can rally. Alberta! Plenty of people there > **[Alberta separatists looking to rally snowbird supporters in Arizona this weekend](https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/alberta-separatists-looking-to-rally-snowbird-supporters-in-arizona-this-weekend/)** > > Foot soldiers of Alberta’s separatist movement are making their way south of the border again. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872.md?page=29) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-natural-resources-and-the-rest-of-canada/1017872.md?page=31)