At last! After a tortuous wait, the Alberta Prosperity Project has published "The Value of Freedom," a road map for Alberta to become a stand-alone national state.
The acuteness of being uncomfortable as a Canadian was evident in April of this year when, according to an Ipsos poll, 43 per cent of Canadians age 18-34 and 33 per cent of those aged 34-54 said they would vote to become American if they were guaranteed citizenship and their assets were converted to U.S. dollars. Kevin O’Leary’s support of a continental currency and invaluable assistance in getting Premier Danielle Smith a private audience with President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago were clearly timely.
But that was a political lifetime ago. Trump has come to the aid of those of us who wish to remain citizens of a staid country committed to peace, order and good government. Canadians across our nation have rallied to our spirit of collective responsibility. While America, embracing a constitution that is built on the primacy of individual freedoms, has produced a Lincoln and a Roosevelt, it has also just given the world a most peculiar fascist head of state.
Still, "The Value of Freedom" is of considerable importance in reminding Albertans, and the rest of Canada, not only of the critical importance of our province to Canada’s economic viability, but of the enduring underpinnings of our national personality.
When Canada was first formed in 1867, it was agreed that federal tax moneys were to be distributed between provinces so that a consistent level of public services (social, health and education) would be provided. The current system was formalized in 1957 and embedded in the Constitution Act of 1982. As of today, every province and territory has at one time or another been the recipient of support from this arrangement. It is fundamental part of being Canadian.
So when we read "The Value of Freedom," we should take pride in our contribution to the wealth of our nation. And our provincial parliament should think very carefully about embracing the threat of leaving Canada and becoming a landlocked state, which would have to rely on the rest of Canada and Donald Trump to get our products to market.
If our premier and her cabinet are still aggrieved rather than proud to be part of what it means to be a Canadian citizen and wrap themselves in promoting separation based on "The Value of Freedom," perhaps she might begin by setting up a federal Party Alberta and join hands with Bloc Quebecois in Ottawa.
May I suggest she contact Kevin O'Leary to help her get it organized.
