After decades of futile efforts to reform Canada, it is now time for Alberta to strike out on its own to form a new, independent country.
The case for Alberta independence can be best understood by looking at the province’s history. For generations, Albertans felt they’ve been ignored or even exploited within Canada, and eventually this feeling has reached the point where many believe the only solution is to form a new country.
What is now known as the Prairie West was originally part of Rupert’s Land, the vast northwestern wilderness territory of the Hudson’s Bay Company. In 1870 Rupert’s Land was purchased by Canada, and the inhabitants of the territory were annexed to Canada without being consulted. Some people had other ideas about the best political future for their community, and unhappiness about being forced into Canada contributed to the Riel Rebellion of 1869-1870.
In other words, there was evidence of Western discontent with Canada right from the very beginning.
Then the Prairies were filled with settlers to pioneer the land and create an agricultural economy. There was a protective tariff to ensure Western farmers had to buy manufactured goods and equipment from Central Canada. That meant the farmers had to pay higher prices than otherwise. Also, they had to sell their grain through middlemen who took a share of the final price gained on the world market, and they had to pay transportation costs. That is to say, they ended up paying more and receiving less.
These kinds of grievances kept many Westerners unhappy about their place within Canada and led to political action to address their concerns. But they were not angry enough to create any movement towards independence. Instead, many Westerners — and especially Albertans — turned away from mainstream political parties and formed alternative parties, such as the provincial United Farmers of Alberta and federal Progressive Party of Canada during the 1920s.
Even more profound was the 1935 election of a Social Credit government in Alberta, an event that set the province apart from the rest of the country.
Ted Byfield, the founder of Alberta Report magazine, explained the significance of that event as follows: “While other provinces whined about the Depression, Alberta acted. We would not acquiesce in the misery we felt and saw around us. We would fight. We would rebel. If anything is characteristic of this province, it’s that spirit of defiance. Push us far enough and we will strike back. That was our record and that is our reputation.”
In short, during the first decades of the twentieth century, Alberta fought back against Central Canada, but not through any movement favouring independence.
That all changed when Pierre Trudeau became Prime Minister in 1968.
[Interesting Read]
