Sunday, September 18, 2005

Vive L'Alberta Libre!


Courtesy of Progressive Calgary, comes the link to a constitution for an independent Alberta someone with way too much time on their hands has written up. This separatist group has gone over every single detail of an independent Alberta - for example, elections will be held the first Monday of every April. None too surprisingly the distribution of powers bears a striking resemblance to the American model and I was shocked, shocked I say, that gay rights are mentioned nowhere.

After browsing the constitution, I must say I'm a little disapointed in this group in certain fields: Nothing on mandatory firearms for all citizens...nothing on a 50 foot gold statue of Ralph Klein...no pledge of allegiance to Peter Lougheed...

posted by calgarygrit at 2:16 p.m.

29 Comments:

  • Considering that an elected senate in the U.S. was responsible for passing an 80% pork heavy, full of useless projects such as the very recent $286 billion highways and transportation bill, one can only shudder of the pork and influence power that would be invested in a mere 12 senators. Don't foresee many balanced budjets there.

    Don

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:25 p.m.  

  • Anybody get the feeling that Separatist talk is just a bunch of cover-talk for joining the US? All those wealthy 'Merikuns in Calgary who can't vote would certainly like to be able to.

    By Blogger AWGB, at 3:58 p.m.  

  • I was shocked, shocked I say, that gay rights are mentioned nowhere.

    Sure they are. Equality of gays and lesbians is found in article 1(b), which states:

    1. It is hereby declared that Albertans recognize as self-evident the following fundamental human rights and freedoms which exist independently of government, namely, ...
    b) the right of the individual to equality before the law and to protection of the law;

    It is about as clear as the Canadian constitution in that regard.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:56 p.m.  

  • I want and independent Alberta - not to be a 51st State. That's what I love about brainwashed Liberals such as yourselves. You always jump to conclusions, and wallow in your belief that you have all the facts when speaking. Truth is, I probably make some of you look as rightwing as Reagan with my social beliefs. The point you guys are all missing is this: it isn't the stereotypical 'rednecks' who are now favouring Alberta separation. It is people of all backgrounds, colours, faiths, lifestyles, and financial standing that are saying that they have had enough of the very things you seem willing to accept - corrupt government, taxation without representation, etc. The reality is, some of us do not want to be second-class citizens in our own country anymore. Unlike you, we have a little more self-respect, and are willing to go it alone, whether an independent Alberta is run by the right or the left.

    By Blogger Unknown, at 8:45 p.m.  

  • "You are spot-on, CalgaryGrit. These people don't want independence; they want to be Americans. Can we just ship them south of the border and wash our hands of them?"

    Yet another excellent quote that I'll have to raise when you're making your abortive run for provincial office in Calgary, Werner.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:01 p.m.  

  • It is people of all backgrounds, colours, faiths, lifestyles, and financial standing that are saying that they have had enough of the very things you seem willing to accept - corrupt government, taxation without representation, etc. The reality is, some of us do not want to be second-class citizens in our own country anymore.

    This is essentially the same rationale as that of the Quebec independence movement, except for the linguistic or cultural component Quebec sovereigntists add to their discourse.

    All of which outlines that if Canada may have been a strongly united nation in the past, it clearly isn't anymore.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:04 p.m.  

  • leigh; I don't think it's a stretch to say that most supporters of Alberta independence would like to see an American-style state or are very right wing. I'm sure there are a few communists out there who support AB independence, but it's mostly those on the far right.

    By Blogger calgarygrit, at 9:55 p.m.  

  • 20 years ago, I would've agreed with you. But over the past year or so, the majority of Alberta separatists (outside of the actual SPA) are moderates such as myself. I fall on the leftwing side on issues such as SSM and legalization of pot, but I see the danger of continued imbalance of power within Canada, and have come to realize that the 'change things from within' alternative has been tried over and over, only to fail. Confederation is dead, my friends. The Liberals have slowly killed it over 40+ years with scandals, NEP, forced bilingualism, etc. Enough is enough.

    By Blogger Unknown, at 10:11 p.m.  

  • Werner Patels said:

    You are spot-on, CalgaryGrit. These people don't want independence; they want to be Americans. Can we just ship them south of the border and wash our hands of them?

    Shall ve use trains und cattle cars Verner?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:22 p.m.  

  • Well done, you certainly shut them all up - from Leigh to Anonymous.

    Um, the "scandals" were posted late last night. It does take a bit of time for these things to be noticed.

    I am not an Alberta Tory, and would gladly let one of them debunk this nonsense, but, until one comes along, I'll give it my best shot.

    With a couple of exceptions, the "scandals" you list do not even appear to be scandals. They are government policies that some Albertans disagree with. However, it may be worth going through them one at a time, so you have a chance to actually make an argument. Let's start with Gainers. What was scandalous about Gainers?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:32 p.m.  

  • 2.   The members of the legislature shall be elected on the basis of one (1) member per population of 30,000 people as prescribed by boundaries and laws as enacted by the government and based upon a regular census."

    Doesn't Alberta have too many MLA's to begin with?
    Entrenching the 30,000 number wouldn't do much to fix this. Ontario only has 103 MPP's and BC has 79 MLA's, why does Alberta need 83?

    Plus, is this really something that should be in a constitution?

    By Blogger daveberta, at 1:46 p.m.  

  • Are you tired of living under one-party rule?

    Do you think the current government was elected by people whose values are sharply different from your own?

    Are you frustrated with a government that consistently ignores the priorities of your region in favour of those who voted for it?

    Are you worried about the government's inability to articulate a clear plan for health care?

    Do you think the current leader has consolidated power in his office, taking away the ability of backbenchers and opposition members to make a difference?

    Finally, do you live in Edmonton?

    Then, join the Edmonton seperatist movement.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:23 p.m.  

  • Yes. If Canada is seperable then SO IS ALBERTA!

    By Blogger Paladiea, at 4:46 p.m.  

  • Gainers: the provincial government forwarded a very favourable loan to their pal, Peter Pocklington. The Gainers plant, in Red Deer I believe, still went belly up, Ralph's pal Peter did not have to pay and the taxpayer was stuck with the tab.

    Funny

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:16 p.m.  

  • Gainers: the provincial government forwarded a very favourable loan to their pal, Peter Pocklington. The Gainers plant, in Red Deer I believe, still went belly up, Ralph's pal Peter did not have to pay and the taxpayer was stuck with the tab.

    That's not how I remember it. I'll have to go back and do a little digging. My initial recollection is that the Alberta Treasury Branch provided Pocklington with a loan (the gov't may have provided a loan guarantee). I do not know whether it was "a very favourable" loan or not. The Gainers plant was in Edmonton, and it, along with all of the major pork processing plants in Alberta, went belly up within a few years of each other. I also doubt that Ralph and Peter are very good pals, given that the ATB sued Peter, recovered a sizable judgment against him, seized his house and other assets, and basically ran him out of the province on a rail.

    I'll head on down to the library sometime and see what I can find.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:34 p.m.  

  • Honestly, I've been talking about Northern Alberta separating for yrs.

    We get the oil, and Calgary gets Dr. Morton, Paul Hinman, BSE and an economy to rival PEIs... lets see how those cocky bastards like there "Free Market" then?! :p

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:54 p.m.  

  • Western Separatism is a stupid idea, put forward by wacko conservatives who are upset with democracy and human rights. Western Separatists should take a flying leap.

    By Blogger John Murney , at 1:23 a.m.  

  • Good Constitution! An essay in liberty really. Quite "liberal" in the classical sense.

    Somewhat American I suppose but then, what in Canada isn't, eh?

    What is it about equality that so offends new liberals? Would a made-in-Canada Apartheid for the French be more to our liking? One which would guarantee the French power and influence beyond their actual numbers much like the whites enjoyed in S.Africa?

    Oh, wait. I guess we already have that. I think this constitution would serve well, those who value liberty and equality.

    An Alberta flag of Red, White and Blue? Aren't those the colours of the French Tricolour? Ah Oui! But then it's also the color of Old Glory. Therefore we must do our new liberal duty and hate it.

    Do we hate the French flag too? Sorry for the silly questions. I missed the last new liberal meeting.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:36 a.m.  

  • Ya right, 42% of Albertans are "wackos".

    Those Albertans who are not separatist are people from other provinces and they are Alberta haters.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:01 a.m.  

  • I'm not sure the rational for choosing April, but I can't be alone in thinking that the risk of having an election on April 1st would be reason enough to either change the month, or the week of the election.

    By Blogger Jeremy, at 12:40 a.m.  

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