Look.
I get it.
You're sitting there reading this, and part of you is already uncomfortable.
Maybe even a little angry.
Because we're about to talk about something that feels... wrong somehow.
Un-Canadian.
Disloyal.
Crazy, even.
But here's what I want you to consider for just a few minutes:
What if the thing that feels "safe" is actually the thing that's slowly destroying your future?
Let me tell you about someone we'll call Mike.
Mike's a 47-year-old guy from Red Deer.
Ran a successful oilfield services company for 15 years.
Good guy.
Paid his taxes.
Hired local.
Coached his kid's hockey team.
Did everything "right."
In 2015, Mike's business was doing $3.2 million a year.
He had 18 employees.
He was planning to expand.
By 2024, Mike had laid off 12 people.
His revenue was cut in half.
Not because he did anything wrong.
Not because the demand disappeared.
Not because he got lazy or stupid.
But because every single pipeline project that would have kept his crews working got blocked, delayed, or killed by federal regulations that somehow never seem to affect Ontario manufacturers or Quebec aerospace companies the same way.
Mike watched $240,000 of his own money—money he'd saved for his daughter's university and his own retirement—evaporate.
He had to remortgage his house.
Twice.
And here's the kicker:
While Mike was bleeding out, he was still sending roughly $4,200 per year of his tax dollars to Ottawa, where it got redistributed to provinces that were actively cheering for his industry to die.
Now, Mike's not stupid.
He knows oil and gas has challenges.
He knows the world is changing.
But what he can't figure out—what keeps him up at night—is this:
Why is he paying for a system that's designed to strangle him?
You already know something's deeply wrong.
You feel it every time you:
Watch another pipeline get cancelled while you're still sending billions east
See your property taxes go up to cover services the feds used to help pay for
Hear another politician in Ottawa talk about "transitioning" your job away while Quebec gets another aerospace bailout
Try to explain to your kid why they should stay in Alberta when all their friends are moving to BC or Texas for opportunities
Look at your retirement account and realize the dollar you've been saving in is worth 29% less than it was a decade ago against the USD
You know the math doesn't work.
You know you're getting screwed.
But here's what stops you from even thinking about a different path:
You're afraid.
Not afraid of the math.
Not afraid of the logistics.
You're afraid of losing who you are.
Let's talk about the thing that's really holding you back.
It's not the economics. Deep down, you already know Alberta gets a raw deal.
It's not even the logistics.
Smart people figure out borders, currencies, and trade deals every day.
It's the feeling in your gut that says:
"If I even consider this, I'm betraying something sacred."
I get it.
I really do.
You grew up singing "O Canada".
You've got a maple leaf somewhere in your house—maybe on a coffee mug, maybe on your truck, maybe even a tattoo.
You've felt that swell of pride watching hockey, seeing the Rockies, knowing you're part of something big and decent and good.
Canada isn't just a country to you.
It's part of your identity.
It's your story.
And the idea of walking away from that?
It feels like cutting off a piece of yourself.
Here's what I want you to understand:
That feeling? That attachment? It's not wrong.
In fact, it's beautiful.
It shows you're loyal.
That you value community.
That you don't take your commitments lightly.
But I need to ask you something, and I need you to really sit with this question:
What if the Canada you love... doesn't exist anymore?
Not because you changed it.
But because the people running it changed it into something you don't recognize.
Think back to what "Canada" meant to you growing up.
Maybe it meant:
Fairness. Everyone contributes, everyone benefits, nobody gets left behind.
Opportunity. Work hard, play by the rules, build something, and you'll do okay.
Respect. Different regions, different industries, different people—but we're all in this together.
Freedom. Live your life, run your business, raise your family the way you see fit.
Now look at what you're actually getting:
Fairness?
You've sent roughly $244 billion more to Ottawa than you got back over the last 15 years.
That's not fairness.
That's extraction.
Opportunity?
Federal policies have systematically targeted your province's main industry for elimination while protecting and subsidizing industries in Ontario and Quebec.
Remember the National Energy Program?
That's not opportunity.
That's sabotage.
Respect?
When's the last time a Prime Minister actually listened to Alberta instead of just lecturing you about needing to "transition" or "do better"?
When's the last time your concerns weren't dismissed as "regional whining"?
Freedom?
You can't build a pipeline to your own coast.
You can't set your own environmental standards.
You can't even control your own pension plan.
Every major decision about your economic future is made by people 3,000 kilometers away who openly celebrate when your industry suffers.
So here's my question:
Are you really betraying "Canada" by wanting to leave?
Or has "Canada" already betrayed you?
Here's something nobody wants to say out loud, but it's true:
Loyalty is supposed to go both ways.
You've been loyal to Canada.
You've paid your taxes—way more than your share.
You've played by the rules.
You've sent your kids to serve in the military.
You've built infrastructure, created jobs, generated wealth that got shared across the entire country.
You've done everything a good Canadian is supposed to do.
Now ask yourself:
What has Canada done for you lately?
And I don't mean the stuff you already paid for with your own taxes.
I mean: what has the federal system actually done to make your life better, your family more secure, your future brighter?
If you're struggling to come up with an answer... you're not alone.
Because the hard truth is this:
The Canada you feel loyal to—the one from the stories, the one from your childhood, the one that felt like home—that Canada is gone.
It's been replaced by something else.
Something that sees you as a resource to be extracted, not a citizen to be respected.
And staying loyal to that?
That's not patriotism.
That's just letting yourself get robbed while you salute the flag.
Here's something that might surprise you:
You can love the idea of Canada—the values, the landscape, the people—without loving the government of Canada.
Think about it.
When you think "Canada," you probably think about:
The Rockies and the prairies
Hockey and hard work
Decent people who help their neighbors
Freedom and opportunity
Guess what?
All of that is in Alberta.
You don't need Ottawa to have mountains.
You don't need a federal bureaucrat to play hockey.
You don't need equalization payments to be a good neighbor.
The things you actually love about being Canadian?
You're not losing those.
You're just stopping payment on a system that's been taking your money and using it against you.
And here's the thing that might really blow your mind:
Some of the most "Canadian" countries in the world... aren't Canada.
New Zealand.
Australia.
Even parts of Scandinavia.
They have the same values—fairness, opportunity, decency, natural beauty, resource wealth managed well.
They just have governments that actually work for their people.
So maybe the question isn't:
"Can I stop being Canadian?"
Maybe the real question is:
"Can I build something better than what Canada has become?"
Okay, let's get out of the feelings for a minute and talk cold, hard numbers.
Because here's the thing: even if you're emotionally attached to Canada, you can't argue with math.
And the math is absolutely brutal.
The Quarter-Trillion Dollar Question
Over the last 15 years (2007-2022), Alberta has sent approximately $244.6 billion more to Ottawa than it got back.
Let me say that again, because it's so big it almost doesn't compute:
A quarter of a trillion dollars.
That's not a typo.
That's not "conservative estimates" or "depending how you count it."
That's actual federal revenues collected in Alberta minus actual federal spending in Alberta.
Real money.
Your money.
$244.6 billion.
To put that in perspective:
That's roughly $16 billion per year on average
In 2022 alone, it was $14.2 billion
In the peak oil years, it was over $20 billion annually
Now, you might be thinking:
"Okay, but we're a rich province. Shouldn't we help out?"
Fair question.
And yes, helping other Canadians when they're down is a good thing.
But here's what nobody tells you:
That money didn't go to "help out."
It went into a black hole where you have zero control over how it's spent, zero say in the priorities, and zero return on investment.
What Could You Have Done With $244 Billion?
Let's play a game.
Imagine Alberta had kept even half of that money over the last 15 years.
Just half.
That's $122 billion.
What could you have built?
A sovereign wealth fund that would make Norway jealous—generating billions in investment returns every year, forever
Free post-secondary education for every Albertan kid who wants it
Zero provincial sales tax (oh wait, you already don't have that—because you've been managing your money well)
The best healthcare system in North America—no wait times, top equipment, premium pay for doctors and nurses
Infrastructure that would make Alberta the envy of the continent—roads, bridges, high-speed rail, whatever you want
Or here's a crazy idea:
You could have just given every single Albertan a check.
$122 billion divided by 4.5 million people = $27,000 per person.
That's $108,000 for a family of four.
Just gone.
Poof.
Sent to Ottawa.
And what did you get for it?
What You Actually Got For Your $244 Billion
Let's be honest about what that money bought you:
✅ Pipeline cancellations
✅ An emissions cap designed to kill your main industry
✅ Tanker bans on the coast closest to you
✅ Lectures about how you need to "transition" your economy
✅ Federal equalization that sends your money to provinces that vote to block your energy projects
✅ A Prime Minister (Carney) who's already borrowed more than Trudeau and is planning even more climate regulations targeting Alberta
✅ A dollar that's fallen from near-parity in 2011-2012 to roughly 71 cents USD today—and Ottawa's response is to borrow even more and pile on regulations that make it worse
That's what a quarter-trillion dollars bought you.
Feel like you got your money's worth?
I know what you're thinking.
"Okay, yeah, we're getting screwed.
"But wouldn't leaving be worse?
"Wouldn't we lose even more?"
Great question.
Let's look at what the experts say.
Yes, there would be transition costs.
Some economists estimate that trade friction and uncertainty could cost Alberta somewhere in the range of 4% of GDP in the short term—maybe $20 billion in a $500 billion economy.
That sounds scary.
Until you realize:
You're already losing $15-20 billion per year, every year, forever, under the current system.
So the "risk" of separation is basically:
You might have one or two rough years that look like... what you're already living through.
Except at the end of those rough years, you'd have:
✅ Full control of your resource revenues
✅ Full control of your economic policy
✅ Full control of your regulatory environment
✅ No more net outflows to Ottawa
✅ The ability to design tax, trade, and investment policies that actually benefit you
The Real Math
Here's the calculation you need to make:
Option A: Stay in Canada
Keep sending $15-20 billion per year to Ottawa (forever)
Watch your main industry get systematically dismantled
Have zero control over monetary policy, trade policy, or major economic decisions
Hope that somehow, magically, future federal governments will treat you better (even though they never have)
Option B: Independence
Take a potential short-term hit (1-2 years of transition costs and uncertainty)
Keep $15-20 billion per year that you currently send to Ottawa
Design your own economic future
Build the wealth fund, infrastructure, and opportunities you actually want
Which one is actually riskier?
Staying in a system that's guaranteed to keep extracting your wealth?
Or taking a short-term risk for long-term control and prosperity?
Here's the part that should really make you angry:
It's not just about the money you've already lost.
It's about the money you'll never make because that money is gone.
Let's say Alberta becomes independent in 2026 and keeps an average of $17 billion per year that currently goes to Ottawa.
And let's say you're conservative with it—you put half into a sovereign wealth fund and invest it at a modest 6% annual return.
In 10 years, that fund would be worth approximately $118 billion and generating about $7 billion per year in investment income.
In 20 years, that fund would be worth approximately $344 billion and generating about $20 billion per year in investment income.
In 30 years, you'd have a fund worth over $700 billion—larger than Norway's—generating $42 billion per year in passive income.
That's $42 billion per year that could pay for healthcare, education, infrastructure, tax cuts, or just straight-up dividends to every Albertan.
Forever.
But only if you stop the bleeding now.
Every year you wait, you're not just losing $17 billion.
You're losing $17 billion PLUS all the compound growth that money would have generated for your kids and grandkids.
I hear this one a lot.
"Alberta's landlocked.
"We'd be screwed.
"BC and Canada would just block our access to ports."
Let's think about this logically.
First: Under international law (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea), landlocked countries have a right to negotiate transit access.
Canada couldn't just say "no, you get nothing."
They'd have to negotiate terms.
Second: Who has more leverage?
Alberta controls the land corridor that connects the rest of Canada to BC
All the rail, highway, and pipeline infrastructure from Eastern Canada to the West Coast runs through Alberta
BC's ports depend on goods flowing through Alberta from the rest of Canada
So yes, you'd need to negotiate port access.
And yes, Canada would need to negotiate overland access.
It's mutual leverage, not one-sided.
Third: Even if Canada played hardball (which would hurt them as much as you), you'd still have options:
Negotiate transit agreements (like dozens of landlocked countries do successfully)
Build stronger trade relationships south through the U.S.
Invest in alternative routes and partnerships
Is it a challenge?
Sure.
Is it an unsolvable problem?
Not even close.
Dozens of landlocked countries thrive economically.
Switzerland.
Austria.
Czech Republic.
Even landlocked U.S. states like Colorado do just fine.
Being landlocked is an inconvenience, not a death sentence.
And frankly, being in a federation that actively sabotages your energy exports is way worse than being landlocked and in control of your own destiny.
Okay, we've talked about the pain.
We've talked about the math.
We've talked about the fear.
Now let's talk about something different.
Let's talk about what's possible.
Because here's the thing nobody's really asking:
If you could design a country from scratch—one that actually worked for YOU—what would it look like?
Not some politician's fantasy.
Not some think-tank white paper.
Your actual life.
Your family.
Your business.
Your future.
What would that country do differently?
Let me paint you a picture.
It's 2035.
Ten years after independence.
You wake up in the same house, in the same town.
The Rockies are still there.
Your neighbors are still your neighbors.
You still drink your coffee the same way.
But here's what's different:
Your Money Stays Home
That $17 billion per year that used to disappear to Ottawa?
It's still here.
Half of it went into the Alberta Prosperity Fund—a sovereign wealth fund that's now worth over $120 billion and growing.
It's generating about $7 billion per year in investment returns.
That investment income pays for:
World-class healthcare with no wait times—because you recruited doctors from across the globe by paying them properly and cutting red tape
Free post-secondary education for any Albertan kid who wants it—trades, university, whatever
A annual Prosperity Dividend—every citizen gets a check, just like Alaska's oil dividend, because this is your wealth, not the government's
The other half?
It funded the infrastructure boom of the decade.
High-speed rail connecting Calgary-Edmonton-Red Deer.
A complete overhaul of rural broadband.
Roads that don't crumble every spring.
Water treatment plants that actually work.
And you're still running budget surpluses.
Your Business Can Actually Breathe
Remember Mike from the beginning?
The guy who lost half his business to federal regulations?
In 2035, Mike's company is doing $5.8 million per year.
He's got 32 employees.
Not because oil prices magically went up.
But because Alberta designed its own regulatory system—one that balances environmental responsibility with economic reality, instead of using climate policy as a weapon against its own citizens.
Pipeline approvals that used to take 7-10 years?
Now they take 18 months, because you're negotiating with one government that actually wants you to succeed, not fighting two levels of government where one is actively trying to kill your project.
Environmental standards?
Still high.
Actually higher in some areas, because you can afford to invest in technology when you're not being strangled.
But the difference is:
The rules are designed by people who understand your industry and want it to thrive, not by people 3,000 km away who want it to die.
Mike's not just surviving anymore.
He's planning his expansion again.
Here's something that might surprise you:
In 2035, Alberta has a net in-migration of young professionals.
Not because you're poaching them with gimmicks.
But because word got out:
Alberta is where opportunity lives.
Your daughter, the one who was planning to move to Vancouver or Toronto or maybe Texas?
She stayed.
Because in Alberta, she can:
Buy a house on a normal salary (because you didn't import 500,000 people per year to suppress wages and spike housing costs)
Start a business without drowning in federal red tape
Keep more of what she earns (because your tax system rewards work, not punishes it)
Raise her kids in a place with space, safety, and actual opportunity
The brain drain stopped.
Not because you built a wall.
But because you built something worth staying for.
Here's what really changed:
Every major decision about your future is now made by people you can actually hold accountable.
Energy policy?
Made in Edmonton, by people who understand the industry.
Trade deals?
Negotiated by your representatives, for your interests.
Immigration levels?
Set based on your infrastructure capacity and labor needs, not some federal target designed for Toronto's needs.
Monetary policy?
You either kept the Canadian dollar (with a formal arrangement) or created your own currency board—but either way, you're not getting dragged down by Ottawa's spending addiction.
When something doesn't work, you can actually fix it.
You don't have to beg Ottawa for permission.
You don't have to wait for Quebec and Ontario to agree.
You don't have to watch your concerns get dismissed as "regional whining."
You just fix it.
Because it's your country.
"Okay," you're thinking.
"That sounds nice.
"But what about all the other stuff?
"Healthcare?
"Pensions?
"Military?
"All the things Canada does?"
Fair question. Let's walk through it.
Healthcare
You're already running most of your own healthcare.
The Canada Health Act just sets some rules and provides some funding.
Here's the thing:
That federal funding?
You paid for it with your own tax dollars in the first place.
As an independent Alberta, you'd keep that money and design your own system. You could:
Keep the single-payer model if you want
Experiment with hybrid public-private delivery (like many European countries)
Recruit aggressively from around the world
Pay doctors and nurses what they're actually worth
Cut wait times by investing in capacity instead of rationing
You'd have more money for healthcare, not less, because you'd stop sending billions to Ottawa first.
Pensions (CPP)
The research shows Albertans have put about $53.6 billion more into CPP than they've received from 1981-2022.
You're not getting a good deal.
An independent Alberta could:
Negotiate a fair exit from CPP (taking your share of assets)
Run your own pension plan (like Quebec does)
Offer better returns because your demographics are younger and your economy stronger
You'd likely end up with better pensions, not worse.
Military & Defense
Yes, you'd need to contribute to defense.
But here's the reality:
You're already paying for it.
Canada spends about $27 billion per year on defense.
Alberta's share of that (based on population and economy) is roughly $3-4 billion per year.
As an independent country, you could:
Negotiate a defense partnership with Canada and/or the U.S. (like many small countries do)
Contribute your fair share to continental defense (NORAD, etc.)
Focus on what you actually need (border security, disaster response, resource protection) instead of funding submarines and jets for missions that have nothing to do with Alberta
You'd probably spend less on defense, not more, because you'd only pay for what you actually need.
Currency
This one gets people worried, but it's actually pretty straightforward.
You'd have three options:
Option 1:
Keep using the Canadian dollar (like Panama uses the USD)—simple, stable, no transition cost
Option 2:
Create a currency board pegged to the USD or a basket of currencies—gives you stability while maintaining some control
Option 3:
Create your own currency—maximum control, but more complex
Most likely?
You'd start with Option 1 or 2 and transition to Option 3 only if it made sense later.
Dozens of small countries manage their currencies just fine.
It's not magic.
It's just policy.
Here's the bottom line:
You wouldn't be building some radical experiment.
You'd be building what dozens of successful countries have already built:
Norway: Resource wealth managed intelligently for long-term prosperity
Switzerland: Small, landlocked, neutral, wealthy, and fiercely independent
Singapore: Tiny country, huge success through smart policy and open trade
New Zealand: Similar size, resource-based economy, high quality of life
Ireland: Went from poor and struggling to one of Europe's success stories in one generation
None of these countries are perfect.
But all of them have something in common:
They control their own destiny.
And they're thriving because of it.
You have everything they have:
✅ Natural resources (more than most)
✅ Educated population
✅ Rule of law
✅ Infrastructure
✅ Strategic location
✅ Strong work ethic
The only thing you're missing?
The freedom to use those advantages without someone else's hand in your pocket and their boot on your neck.
I know some of you are reading this thinking:
"Yeah, sounds great.
"But it's a pipe dream."
Is it?
In the last 100 years alone, the world has seen over 100 new countries created.
Some failed.
Some struggled.
But many—especially the ones with resource wealth, educated populations, and strong institutions—didn't just survive.
They thrived.
And here's what nobody talks about:
All of these countries are substantially richer and more stable today than at or immediately after independence:
Slovenia – 1991
Croatia – 1991
North Macedonia – 1991
Bosnia and Herzegovina – 1992
Czechia – 1993
Slovakia – 1993
Serbia – 2006
Montenegro – 2006
Every single one of these countries was told the same thing you're being told right now:
"You're too small."
"You'll never make it on your own."
"You need the larger federation to survive."
And every single one proved the skeptics wrong.
Today, Slovenia has a higher GDP per capita than Portugal.
Czechia is one of the most stable economies in Central Europe.
Slovakia went from communist backwater to automotive manufacturing powerhouse.
Montenegro built a thriving tourism economy and joined NATO.
None of them regret leaving.
And here's the kicker:
Alberta has more going for it than any of these countries had when they started.
You have:
✅ Massive natural resource wealth (oil, gas, agriculture, forestry)
✅ An educated, skilled workforce
✅ Established infrastructure (roads, hospitals, schools, power grid)
✅ Strong institutions (rule of law, property rights, functioning courts)
✅ A strategic location between the U.S. and the rest of Canada
✅ No war, no ethnic conflict, no collapsed economy to rebuild
Slovenia had to rebuild from scratch after a war.
Czechia and Slovakia had to transition from communism.
Croatia fought a brutal independence war.
You're starting from a position of strength they could only dream of.
So when someone tells you Alberta independence is a "pipe dream," ask them:
If Slovenia can do it, why can't Alberta?
If Montenegro can do it, why can't Alberta?
If Czechia and Slovakia can peacefully split and both thrive, why can't Alberta leave Canada and thrive?
The question isn't whether it's possible.
The question is whether you have the courage to build it.
Look, I get it.
Your brain is doing what brains do:
looking for reasons why this won't work.
That's not weakness.
That's smart.
You should be skeptical.
You should ask hard questions.
So let's tackle the big ones head-on.
Ah yes.
The Trump thing.
Let me guess:
You saw the headlines.
"Trump suggests Canada become 51st state!"
Everyone lost their minds.
Politicians clutched their pearls.
Twitter exploded.
And now you're worried that if Alberta separates, you'd just get swallowed up by the U.S. anyway.
Let's talk about what actually happened there.
Trump Was Trolling Trudeau (And It Worked Perfectly)
Here's what you need to understand about Donald Trump's negotiating style:
He says outlandish things to see how people react.
He floats an idea—something provocative, something that gets under people's skin—and then he watches.
If you freak out and get defensive, he knows he's got leverage over you
If you laugh it off or engage smartly, he moves on to actual negotiation
It's a tactic. And Trudeau fell for it like a rookie.
Instead of saying, "Ha, good one Donald, now let's talk trade," Trudeau and the Canadian establishment went into full panic mode.
"Elbows up!"
Chest puffed out.
"We'll show Trump a thing or two!"
And that's exactly the wrong move with the Americans.
You cannot "out-tough" the United States.
You cannot lecture them.
You cannot shame them into giving you what you want.
You can only negotiate with them as a partner who brings value.
What The U.S. Actually Wants
Does the United States want Alberta (or Canada) as the 51st state?
No.
Think about it logically:
The U.S. already has massive internal political divisions. Why would they want to import more political complexity?
Adding Canada would mean adding 40 million people who vote differently, think differently, and would completely reshape their electoral map
It would be a constitutional and political nightmare
They don't want that headache.
But here's what they do want:
✅ Reliable energy supply from a friendly neighbor
✅ A stable trading partner that doesn't create problems
✅ Someone they can negotiate with who understands how deals work
✅ A partner who won't lecture them about climate policy while begging for market access
And guess what? An independent Alberta could give them all of that.
When Trump won the election, what did Danielle Smith do?
She went to meet him.
Not to grovel.
Not to pick a fight.
To talk.
To build a relationship.
To find common ground.
That's how you deal with a neighbor who's 10 times your size and controls access to the world's largest market.
You don't show up with "Elbows Up" and attitude.
You show up with value and a willingness to make a deal.
Compare that to Carney, Trudeau, and the other premiers who decided they were going to "stand up to Trump" and "show him Canada won't be pushed around."
How's that working out?
Tariff threats
Trade uncertainty
Constant tension
Canada getting played like a fiddle
Meanwhile, Smith is building relationships, opening doors, and positioning Alberta as a partner, not a problem.
That's the model.
An Independent Alberta Would Have More Leverage, Not Less
Here's the irony:
As part of Canada, you're actually more vulnerable to U.S. pressure, not less.
Why?
Because Ottawa controls your trade policy, your foreign policy, and your energy policy—and Ottawa's priorities are not Alberta's priorities.
When the U.S. wants something, they negotiate with Ottawa.
And Ottawa trades away Alberta's interests to protect Ontario and Quebec every single time.
You have no seat at the table.
You're just the bargaining chip.
But as an independent country?
You'd negotiate your own deals.
You'd have your own trade agreements.
Your own energy export strategy.
Your own diplomatic relationships.
And here's the kicker:
The U.S. would love that.
Because they'd be dealing with:
A stable, resource-rich neighbor
A government that actually wants to sell them energy (instead of one that's trying to phase it out)
Leaders who understand business and deal-making
A partner that shares their values around free markets and limited government
You'd be more like Texas than Toronto.
And Americans like Texas.
The 51st State Fear Is Backwards
The real risk isn't that you'd become the 51st state.
The real risk is that you stay in Canada and get sold out piece by piece by politicians in Ottawa who don't care about your interests.
An independent Alberta would have:
✅ A seat at the table in all negotiations
✅ The ability to say no to bad deals
✅ Leverage as a critical energy supplier
✅ Relationships built on mutual benefit, not dependency
That's not weakness.
That's strength.
And frankly, the U.S. respects strength a hell of a lot more than they respect the current Canadian approach of moral posturing and economic irrelevance.
"Even if it's a good idea long-term, the transition would be a disaster.
"Years of uncertainty.
"Economic disruption.
"Legal battles.
"It's just not worth the pain."
I hear you.
And yes, there would be complexity.
There would be negotiations.
There would be some uncertainty.
But let's be honest about what you're comparing it to.
You're Already Living Through Chaos
Let's talk about what "stability" in Canada has given you over the last decade:
Boom-bust oil cycles with no federal support when you're down
Pipeline projects that take 10+ years and still get cancelled
A dollar that's lost 30% of its value since parity with the U.S.
Federal debt spiraling out of control
Climate policies specifically designed to kill your main industry
Mass immigration driving up housing costs and suppressing wages
Political leaders who openly celebrate when your industry suffers
That's your "stable" status quo.
So when someone says, "But separation would be chaotic," the real question is:
Chaotic compared to what?
Transitions Can Be Managed
Yes, there would be a transition period.
Probably 2-5 years of negotiations, institution-building, and adjustment.
But here's what people forget:
Countries do this successfully all the time.
Czechoslovakia split into Czech Republic and Slovakia peacefully in 1993. Both countries are thriving.
The Soviet Union broke into 15 countries. Some struggled, but the ones with resources and institutions (like Estonia) became success stories.
Montenegro separated from Serbia in 2006 after a referendum. Smooth, peaceful, successful.
The key is planning and negotiation, not chaos.
And here's the thing: You'd have leverage in those negotiations.
Canada would need:
Overland access to BC through Alberta
Continued energy supplies during transition
A stable neighbor, not a failed state
They'd have every incentive to make it work.
Short-Term Pain, Long-Term Gain
Let's say the transition is bumpy.
Let's say it costs you 2-3% of GDP for two years while things get sorted out.
That's about $10-15 billion per year for two years.
Roughly $25-30 billion total.
Now compare that to:
Staying in Canada and losing $15-20 billion per year, every year, forever.
Even if the transition is expensive, you break even in 2-3 years and then you're ahead forever.
That's not chaos.
That's an investment.
"Ottawa would fight it.
"Quebec would block it.
"BC would make it impossible.
"They'd never just let us go."
Maybe.
Maybe not.
But here's what you need to understand:
They can't stop you if you're serious.
International Law Is On Your Side
The international legal principle is clear: Peoples have the right to self-determination.
If Albertans vote clearly, in a fair referendum, to become independent, the international community would recognize that.
Canada can't just say "no" and make it go away.
They'd have to negotiate.
Quebec Already Set The Precedent
Remember the Quebec referendums?
Ottawa didn't say, "You can't vote on this."
They said, "Okay, but here are the rules" (the Clarity Act).
If Quebec has the right to hold a referendum on independence, so does Alberta.
And if Albertans vote "Yes" with a clear question and a clear majority, Canada would have to negotiate the terms of separation.
They wouldn't like it.
They'd drag their feet.
They'd try to get the best deal possible.
But they couldn't just refuse.
The Rest Of Canada Might Surprise You
Here's something nobody talks about:
A lot of Canadians outside Alberta are tired of the fighting too.
Ontario and Quebec don't want to keep bailing out a system that's not working.
BC doesn't want to be stuck in the middle of Alberta-Ottawa battles.
If Alberta said, "We're done, let's negotiate a fair separation," you might be surprised how many Canadians would say, "Okay, let's figure this out."
Not because they hate you.
But because they're exhausted too.
And frankly, a clean separation might be better for everyone than another 50 years of resentment and dysfunction.
"Look, I get it.
"But I'm 55. I've got a mortgage, a pension, kids in school.
"I can't afford to gamble on some big political experiment.
"I just need stability until I retire."
I hear you.
And I'm not going to lie to you:
If you're 65+ and retiring next year, you think this might not be your fight.
But what about your kids and grandchildren?
You want to leave them a country in economic turmoil with no possibility to improve their and their children’s lives?
But if you're 55? 45? 35?
You've got 10, 20, 30+ years of this system grinding you down ahead of you.
The "Stability" You're Clinging To Is An Illusion
You think staying in Canada is the "safe" choice.
But is it?
Your pension is in Canadian dollars—which have lost 30% against the USD and could lose more
Your retirement savings are tied to a Canadian economy that's falling further behind every year
Your property value depends on Alberta's economy—which Ottawa is actively trying to dismantle
Your kids' future is in a province that's being systematically extracted and weakened
"Alberta separation would violate treaty rights.
"Indigenous communities would never support it.
"It's a non-starter."
This is a serious question, and it deserves a serious answer.
Treaties Would Be Honored
First:
An independent Alberta would inherit and honor all existing treaties.
Treaty rights don't disappear when borders change.
They're agreements between Indigenous nations and the Crown (or successor governments).
An independent Alberta would simply become the successor government with the same obligations Canada has now.
In fact, you could make the case that Indigenous communities might have more influence in an independent Alberta than they do in Canada.
Why?
Because they'd be negotiating with one government (Alberta) instead of two (federal + provincial), and they'd represent a larger share of the population and political voice.
Indigenous Communities Aren't Monolithic
Some Indigenous leaders would oppose separation.
Some would support it.
Some would be neutral.
Just like non-Indigenous Albertans.
The key is:
Indigenous peoples would have a voice in the process.
Any legitimate independence movement would need to:
Consult with Indigenous communities
Ensure treaty rights are protected
Offer Indigenous nations a seat at the table in designing the new country
This isn't "Alberta separation despite Indigenous peoples."
It's "What kind of future do all Albertans—Indigenous and non-Indigenous—want to build together?"
Okay.
Here's where we separate the talkers from the doers.
The people who actually give a damn about their kids' future from the people who just like to complain on Facebook.
You've just read 6,300 words so far.
You know the math.
You know what's coming.
You know what's at stake.
Now comes the moment of truth:
Are you going to do something about it, or are you going to be part of the problem?
Because let me be crystal clear about something:
If you don't sign this petition, you have ZERO right to complain about what happens next.
Zero.
When Carney kills another pipeline—shut up.
When your property taxes go up again to cover what Ottawa won't—shut up.
When your kid moves to Texas because there's no future here—shut up.
You had your chance. You chose to do nothing.
Every person has a moment in their life where they have to decide:
Am I someone who stands up, or am I someone who bends over?
This is that moment for you.
Not next year.
Not "when things get bad enough."
Right now.
Today.
Because here's what's going to happen if this petition fails:
The independence movement dies.
Not "slows down." Not "regroups."
Dies.
Politicians will point to the failed petition and say, "See? Albertans don't actually want independence.
They just like to whine."
Ottawa will laugh at you.
Carney will tighten the screws even harder because he'll know you won't do anything about it.
And your kids will pack their bags.
Is that what you want?
Is that the legacy you want to leave?
"Yeah, we had a chance to fight back, but I was too busy.
"I had to mow the lawn or shovel the walk that day."
Your grandkids will detest you and view you forever as someone who would rather kneel in slavery rather than stand and fight.
Some of us have parents and grandparents were part of "The Greatest Generation" that fought off tryanny and kept the world free... truly free.
You'd like your children and children to view you that way, wouldn't you?
You know what breaks my heart?
It's not the money.
It's not even the politics.
It's watching parents tell their kids there's no future here.
I've seen it dozens of times:
Dad sitting at the kitchen table, looking at his 22-year-old son who just graduated with an engineering degree.
"So, you thinking about staying in Alberta?"
The kid looks down.
Shuffles his feet.
"I don't know, Dad.
"There's nothing here.
"All my friends are leaving.
"Maybe I should look at BC.
"Calgary's dead, so maybe Toronto.
"Or... I don't know, maybe Texas."
And dad just nods.
Because what's he going to say?
"Stay here and watch your opportunities get killed by Ottawa"?
That's the conversation happening in thousands of Alberta homes right now.
And you're letting it happen.
Every day you don't sign this petition, you're telling your kids:
"Your future doesn't matter enough for me to take 5 minutes out of my day."
How does that feel?
Let me ask you something:
What did your grandfather do to build this province?
Did he sit on his ass and hope someone else would fix things?
Or did he work 14-hour days in the oil patch, in the cold, in the mud, building something for YOU?
What did your parents sacrifice so you could have opportunities?
Did they complain and do nothing?
Or did they fight, scrape, save, and build so you could have a better life than they did?
Now it's your turn.
And what are you doing?
You're reading a website and thinking about maybe possibly doing something if it's convenient.
Your grandfather is ashamed of you.
I'm serious.
The men and women who built Alberta—who turned a frozen prairie into one of the wealthiest places on Earth—they didn't wait for permission.
They didn't need someone to hold their hand.
They saw what needed to be done and they did it.
And now you—sitting in your comfortable house, with your smartphone, with every advantage they fought to give you—you can't even take 5 minutes to sign a petition?
Pathetic.
Let's be honest about what you're "risking" here:
5 minutes of your time.
That's it.
You'll spend longer scrolling TikTok, Facebook or YouTube tonight.
You'll spend longer complaining to your buddy about Carney.
You'll spend longer sitting in the Tim Hortons drive-thru.
But you can't spare 5 minutes to fight for your kids' future?
Let's break down what you're actually "sacrificing":
Drive to a signing location: 10 minutes
Wait in line (if there even is one): 5 minutes
Show your ID and sign: 2 minutes
Drive home: 10 minutes
Total: 27 minutes.
That's one episode of a TV show.
And in exchange for that 27 minutes, you get:
✅ A chance to vote on Alberta's future
✅ Leverage to force Ottawa to negotiate
✅ A voice in the biggest political decision of your lifetime
✅ The ability to look your kids in the eye and say "I fought for you"
But you're too busy, right?
Let's cut the bullshit.
You're not "too busy."
You're not "waiting for more information."
You're scared.
Scared of what your friends will think.
Scared of being called "extreme" or "radical."
Scared of standing out.
Scared of being on the losing side.
You're scared of being uncomfortable.
And you know what?
That's exactly what Ottawa is counting on.
They know most people won't act because they're afraid of social pressure.
They know you'll choose comfort over courage.
They know you'll let your kids' future burn as long as you don't have to have an awkward conversation at a dinner party.
And they're right, aren't they?
You're going to read this whole page, nod along, maybe share it on Facebook with some comment like "interesting read," and then do absolutely nothing.
Because that's who you are.
You're the person who complains but never acts.
Who talks but never walks.
Who watches the ship sink and says, "Someone should really do something about that."
Prove me wrong.
It's 2036.
You're sitting with your adult kids.
They're visiting from Vancouver.
Or Toronto.
Or Austin.
Because they don't live in Alberta anymore.
There's no reason to.
The energy sector has been gutted by federal regulations.
The young people have all left.
The economy is stagnant.
And your kids look at you and ask:
"Dad, why didn't you fight for us when you had the chance?"
What are you going to say?
"Well, I read this really long article about independence..."
They don't want to hear it.
"I was going to sign the petition, but I got busy..."
They don't care.
"I shared it on Facebook..."
That's not fighting.
That's spectating.
You had one job:
Take 27 minutes out of your life and sign your name.
And you couldn't even do that.
So now they're gone.
And you get to spend the rest of your life knowing you could have done something, but you chose comfort instead.
Is that the story you want to live?
Let me paint you a different picture.
It's 2036.
Your kids are still in Alberta.
Not because they had to stay.
Because they wanted to.
Because Alberta is thriving.
Because the wealth that used to flow to Ottawa now stays home and builds hospitals, schools, infrastructure, and opportunities.
Because young people are moving TO Alberta, not away from it.
And your kids look at you and say:
"Dad, thank you for fighting for us when it mattered."
You get to tell them:
"I was there.
"I signed the petition.
"I got my friends to sign.
"I made noise.
"I fought."
And when they ask if it was hard, you laugh.
"Hard? It took 27 minutes. Best 27 minutes I ever spent."
That's the story you could tell.
But only if you act.
You don't get another shot at this.
177,732 signatures by May 2, 2026.
If the petition fails, it's over.
There's no "let's try again next year."
There's no "we'll get 'em next time."
This is it.
And if you're sitting there thinking, "Well, other people will sign, so I don't need to..."
Guess what everyone else is thinking?
They're thinking the same thing.
And that's how movements die.
Not because people opposed them.
But because the people who supported them couldn't be bothered to take 27 minutes out of their day.
Don't be that person.
Stop reading.
Stop thinking.
Stop making excuses.
Here's exactly what you do:
Step 1: Find A Signing Location RIGHT NOW (2 Minutes)
Go to [RED BUTTON]
That page has the current list of signing locations across Alberta, updated daily.
Pick one.
Put it in your calendar.
TODAY.
Not "this weekend."
Not "when I get around to it."
TODAY.
If there's a location open right now, stop reading and go sign.
If there's nothing near you today, go to [BLUE BUTTON] and find an event this week.
Put it in your calendar.
Set a reminder.
Commit.
Step 2: Can't Find A Location? Request A Canvasser (3 Minutes)
If there's truly nothing near you, go to:
[BLUE BUTTON]
You will be taken to a form directly. Fill it out.
A canvasser will contact you within 24-48 hours to meet you and witness your signature.
Do not use this as an excuse to procrastinate.
If there's a signing location within 30 minutes of you, go there instead.
The request form is for people in remote areas, not for people who are too lazy to drive 15 minutes.
Step 3: Bring 5 People With You (30 Minutes)
Don't go alone.
Bring people.
Text your spouse right now:
"We're signing the independence petition this week.
"Here's when and where."
Call your parents:
"I'm picking you up Thursday at 6pm.
"We're going to sign the petition."
Message your coworkers:
"Who wants to grab coffee and sign the independence petition after work?"
Make it a group activity.
Because here's the thing:
If you go alone, you're one signature.
If you bring 5 people, you're 6 signatures.
If everyone does that, we hit 177,732 in DAYS.
Step 4: Share This Page Like Your Kids' Future Depends On It (Because It Does)
After you sign, share AlbertaFreedomNow.com everywhere:
Facebook:
Post it with a personal story.
"I just signed the Alberta independence petition.
"Here's why you should too: [your reason].
"Visit here now: [RED BUTTON]".
Twitter/X:
"I signed. You should too.
#AlbertaFreedom #StayFreeAlberta" + link"
Email:
Send it to your entire contact list.
Subject line: "This is urgent—please read and sign."
Text: Send it to every Albertan in your phone.
"Hey, have you seen this?
"I just signed.
"You should too: AlbertaFreedomNow.com".
In person:
Print flyers with AlbertaFreedomNow.com and the Stay Free Alberta signing page.
Leave them everywhere—coffee shops, gyms, community boards, hockey rinks.
Make.
Noise.
The media won't do it for you.
Politicians won't do it for you.
You have to do it.
Step 5: Follow Stay Free Alberta For Daily Updates
Go to [X.com LINK] and follow them.
They post daily updates on new signing locations, events, and progress toward the 177,732 goal.
Stay plugged in.
This is a 120-day sprint, not a marathon.
You need to know where the action is happening so you can get more people to sign.
Step 6: If You're Ready To Go All-In, Become A Canvasser
If you want to make a real impact, become a registered canvasser.
One canvasser can collect hundreds of signatures.
If you can commit even a few hours a week—set up at a coffee shop, a farmers market, a community event—you could personally be responsible for 200, 300, 500 signatures.
That's how we win.
Not by waiting for someone else to do it.
By stepping up and doing it yourself.
Visit [RED BUTTON] for information on becoming a canvasser.
Or contact them directly through:
[BLUE BUTTON]
If you're serious about Alberta's future, this is how you fight.
You're living through the most important political moment in Alberta's history.
You can feel it.
The anger.
The frustration.
The sense that something has to give.
This is the breaking point.
And you get to decide:
Are you going to be part of the generation that said "enough" and fought back?
Or are you going to be part of the generation that watched it all burn and did nothing?
Your grandfather built this province with his bare hands.
Your parents sacrificed to give you opportunities.
Now it's your turn.
Not to build an oil rig.
Not to work 14-hour days in the cold.
Just to take 27 minutes and sign your name.
That's it.
That's all we're asking.
27 minutes to fight for your kids.
27 minutes to honor the people who built this place.
27 minutes to prove you're not a coward.
Can you do that?
177,732 signatures.
May 2, 2026.
120 days.
After that, it's over.
No extensions.
No do-overs.
No "we almost made it."
Either we hit the number or we don't.
And if we don't?
It's because people like you chose comfort over courage.
Don't let that be your legacy.
Not tomorrow.
Not this weekend.
Not "when I have time."
RIGHT NOW.
Go to BLUE BUTTON below.
Find a location.
GO THERE TODAY.
Show your ID.
Sign your name.
Then get 5 more people to do the same.
That's it.
That's how we win.
177,732 Albertans who decided their kids' future was worth 27 minutes of their time.
Are you one of them?
Or are you going to be the person who let Alberta die because you were too busy?
The choice is yours.
But choose fast.
Because the clock is ticking.
And your kids are watching.
P.S. — Still sitting there?
Still thinking about it?
Let me make this really simple:
If you don't sign this petition, you are choosing to let Ottawa destroy your kids' future.
Not "maybe."
Not "it's complicated."
You are actively choosing it.
Because you had a chance to fight back and you didn't take it.
So either click the link and sign, or admit you don't actually care.
Those are your only two options.
P.P.S. — One last thing.
Your grandfather didn't build Alberta so you could hand it over to Ottawa without a fight.
Your parents didn't sacrifice so you could watch their grandkids leave because there's no future here.
And your kids don't deserve a parent who was too scared or too lazy to take 27 minutes to sign a petition.
You know what you need to do.
Stop reading.
Go sign.
The future of Alberta is in your hands.
Don't drop it.