I did a double-take. Read More
’I would say it’s 30 percent to 40 percent of Albertans right now,’ says Premier Danielle Smith on how many Albertans are considering separation
‘I would say it’s 30 percent to 40 percent of Albertans right now,’ says Premier Danielle Smith on how many Albertans are considering separation
Article content
I did a double-take.
Article content
Article content
I didn’t think the number would be that high.
Article content
Deep thinkers who insisted they were really smart said those wanting Alberta to leave Canada, or at least thinking seriously about it, amounted to a few guys in pickup trucks.
Article content
Nothing to see here.
Article content
But there is something to see here, especially when it comes to the supporters of Premier Danielle Smith.
Article content
Story continues below
Article content
It is in a poll by the well-respected Angus Reid Institute.
Article content
Noon News Roundup
Article content
“A majority of those who voted for the UCP in Alberta’s last provincial election say they would vote to leave, whether definitely or leaning that way,” say the noted nose-counters.
Article content
“Nearly all past Alberta NDP voters say they would vote to stay.”
Article content
Then you see the arithmetic.
Article content
For voters of the UCP led by Premier Smith, 65 per cent support voting Yes to Alberta leaving Canada. Half are definite, half are leaning that way.
Article content
The number of NDP voters wanting an exit from Canada is almost too small to count. Two per cent.
Article content
As for whether Alberta should go ahead and hold a referendum vote on Alberta independence, four out of five UCP folks say Yes. They want a vote.
Article content
Preventing that vote could create a world of grief.
Article content
With NDP voters it’s almost the exact opposite sentiment. Just eight per cent want to take a trip to the ballot box on this independence issue.
Article content
As for the support for Alberta independence across the province, it is pegged at 36 per cent, including those who are definite and those leaning to vote for the province exiting Canada.
Article content
Story continues below
Article content
Just over half of Albertans say they would definitely vote to stay in Canada.
Article content
Earlier this week, Premier Smith guessed what she thought was the support for seriously considering an independent Alberta.
Article content
Article content
“I would say it’s 30 per cent to 40 per cent of Albertans right now. That’s a pretty high number.”
Article content
A pretty high number indeed.
Article content
There are other responses on this national unity not-so-merry-go-round.
Article content
If the Conservatives under Pierre Poilievre had won the election, backing for Alberta independence would drop to 28 per cent.
Article content
If there is no more cap on oil and gas emissions or Prime Minister Mark Carney commits to an east-west pipeline support for Alberta independence would go down though it wouldn’t make a difference to many of the strongest backers of Alberta leaving Canada.
Article content
Indigenous protests would not shake up those wanting independence. In fact, it would strengthen the resolve of many in that group.
Article content
If B.C. stood in the way of a new pipeline to the west coast, separatist sentiment would rise.