If an Alberta referendum does go ahead, I believe it's important that the rest of Canada resist an emotional and confrontational political approach. Instead, go to where they talk and provide encouragement to stay Canadian. Focus on the positives, address concerns, provide objective fact-checks.
π― One thing we must focus on is setting the record straight on what the fossil fuel industry has done and is doing to Albertans. And what a fair (to them) alternative would look like. Building a better future than the one Big Oil has us all locked into. The future is coming. Fast. Prepare or perish.
This needs to be a national conversation, you are correct. I hope both sides respect the facts and the economic value experts assign to different policies. But is may well become a disinformation campaign and a social media meme war.
Which points to the other, larger battle underfoot: anti-science propaganda vs professional journalism. Unless wilful disinformation (via foreign influence, algorithmic manipulation) is tackled legislatively, bad actors will continue to sabotage any attempt at securing a safe future.
Bingo.
No really, itβs totally okay if the christofascist clownvoy fuckwits want to leave. Iβll help them pack. Iβll pay for their airfare.
The rest of Canada has heard plenty from Alberta. Enough.
Just focus on the dishonesty and corruption of the synthetic "movement"
We are all about to be subjected to propaganda at Brexit inducing levels. Personal connections will be very important to countering it.
This is planned and coordinated. We have a very willing Fifth Column to contend with. This was Stockwell Day, who's office Poilievre worked in when he 1st went to Ottawa, cheerleading 51st State back on Dec 19th. Elbows up people!
I cannot emphasize this enough for the rest of the country - by bringing the referendum up repeatedly as a legitimate Alberta endeavour it is equal to Trump bringing up the 51 state repeatedly! It makes the 70% of Albertans who have no thoughts whatsoever to leave Canada rather angry! π β¦
The separatists in Alberta make as much sense as the trucker convoy people did during the Ottawa occupation, it would be nice if the rest of the country could stop legitimizing them! Yes for whatever reason the Premier has decided to speak for them and not for Albertans at large. Why? β¦
Why, perhaps it isπ β¦ the rest of Canada should ask questions around the fundraising practices of the UCP! This is not an Alberta issue - it is a Canada issue!
Previous polls have shown seperatist support at <20%. More believable but half are just shit disturbers regardless.
Well said! I hope it doesnβt get that far.π
I would agree if the separation sentiment were real. This has nothing to do with separation. It has everything to do with a corrupt provincial government and white Christian Nationalists and Big Oil wanting to consolidate power. I say the opposite is needed. It's time to Get Angry and Fight Back!
If objective fact checking worked, we wouldn't be having this discussion
"Alberta a 'very attractive' target for foreign interference: CSIS presentation" bsky.app/profile/sqir...
Precisely! Just look at their fundraisingβ¦ it raises questions! And therefore it is angering to me as an Albertan to see the media and Canadians beyond Alberta giving this βmovementβ any legitimacy!
Fuck them. Iβm not wasting any time or energy on these assholes. If they want to leave, they can personally leave. The land is not theirs to take, its treaty land, and theyβre guests.
What percentage of Albertans do not vote? Who are not engaged politically for whatever reason? This is an important group to reachβ¦with conversation
In some cases, a concern like equalization payments needs a deeper understanding from both sides. It's our duty to inform ourselves and get past counterproductive ping pong.
We should also realize that not all concerns can be addressed. People will need to then understand the full pro and con list. Some people will not be changing their mind while a sizeable number may just be leaning to separation. It's in the interest of Canada that you engage positively with leaners.
I say this with some experience. I lived in Quebec when the separatist movement peaked and I know many of those undecided about the referendum question were moved by the positive efforts of the ROC to have them stay. There are positive emotions and negative emotions. Confrontation is not a solution.
Watch The Great Hack to learn how brexit happened
This is very good advice that I will 100% not be following. π
Why
This is the most polite response to "Alberta separatism" that I can possibly muster. I've lived through too many independence referendums to take any of those losers REMOTELY seriously, nevermind to bother trying to CONVINCE any of them to stop be ignorant traitorous losers.
What referenda did you live through
Not a full list but: Quebec (1980), Slovenia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Estonia, Georgia, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Ukraine, Bosnia & Herzegovina, South Ossetia, Eritrea, Quebec (1995), Kurdistan, South Ossetia (again), Scotland, Kurdistan (again)...
How did you get involved in all of those referenda such that you "lived through" them, as opposed to simply being alive when they happened?
Who are you and why do I supposedly owe you answers on any topic about anything? Oh right, a random poster on the internet, or likely a bot, who I'll never have to read anything from ever again.
Anyway welcome to the internet. I recommend you not keep up this kind of petulant pedantry in reply to internet posts. I think in the long term you'll find it'll make your experience less pleasant than it could be and it definitely annoys everyone else.
Feeling called out, I see Keep on living through referenda