Western Alienation

With the election of a fourth Liberal federal government under Mark Carney, there has been a resurgence of Western alienation, particularly in Alberta under the UCP lead by Danielle Smith. There's always been a dislike and distrust of the Federal government in Alberta. It gained traction in the 1970s and 1980s with the National Energy Program and has been slowly building ever since, especially with the Liberal government's environmental focus in the last decade. The election of a UCP government (the closest thing Canada has to the US MAGA movement) hasn't helped.

Here are a few recent articles that I thought were relevant and worth reading, starting with a good overview from the Globe and Mail.

• Western discontent is a growing problem after Liberal election victory (gift link).  "Tens of thousands of Western Canadians have newly registered with the Alberta Prosperity Project, which is collecting the names of people who support a sovereignty referendum.

Next a couple of articles from Jared Wesley, a professor of political science at the University of Alberta.

• Carney's Federalism Dilemma. "The prime minister must choose avoidance or engagement."
• Charting Alberta’s Future. "A Constructive Look at Premier Smith’s “Alberta Accord”

Finally, a rather different perspective on Premier Danielle Smith and her plans for Alberta from Dean Blundell. 

• From MapleMAGA to Treason: Danielle Smith Outlines Plan to Hand Alberta to the U.S. "Alberta’s Premier is rigging the system to ditch Canada, cozying up to Trump and pushing a 51st-state fantasy."
• Danielle Smith’s Alberta Exit Plan: MAGA’s Canadian Traitor or Just Desperate for Attention? "While most Albertans want nothing to do with MAGA or American chaos, Danielle Smith keeps flying to Mar-a-Lago, cozying up to Trump allies, and spending your money to sell Alberta’s soul."

I'll conclude by noting that I livered in Northern Alberta for 5-1/2 years starting in 1978. The feeling that the Western provinces have been wronged by the East is very real and runs very deep. I do not envy Mark Carney right now, having to deal with that and Donald Trump.