Albertan separatists may misread how Canada values the province

Janice Kennedy writes that recent separatist rhetoric in Alberta comes from a small, vocal minority while most Canadians and many Albertans remain attached to the province; she points to taxes, equalization and representation as sources of discontent reported in the debate.

Janice Kennedy, a retired journalist and contributing Star columnist based in Ottawa, questions the swell of separatist talk coming from parts of Alberta. She recalls Alberta's long history of attracting Canadians from across the country and lists how Albertans have contributed to national life. Kennedy suggests the separatist voices she describes are a small but noisy minority and says polls indicate broader attachment to the province. She also reflects on past national divisions and the long social effects they can leave. Key points: - Janice Kennedy is identified as a retired journalist and contributing Star columnist writing from Ottawa. - She argues most Canadians cannot imagine the country without Alberta and highlights the province’s cultural, athletic and political contributions. - Kennedy describes separatist sentiment as driven by a small but vocal group and refers to polls that suggest many Albertans remain attached to Canada. - The article reports separatist spokesman Jeffrey Rath saying "everybody is now focused on getting out of Canada" and notes some separatist proposals include dramatic tax changes if independent. - Kennedy discusses tax burden, the role of federal equalization payments, and past federal actions on equalization and the Trans Mountain pipeline as parts of the political context. Summary: Kennedy frames recent Alberta separatist talk as out of step with broader Canadian sentiment and with what polls suggest about Albertans’ views. She identifies taxes, equalization and representation as issues feeding discontent while stressing those are policy matters within the federation. She draws on the 1980 Quebec referendum experience to caution that secession can leave long-lasting divisions. Undetermined at this time.