Separatist fires have been stoked in Alberta, but some are calling for cooler heads
Article content
Row after row of Canadian flags fly high atop tall poles over manicured lawns in a southern Alberta town that's also home to the province's premier, her husband and their dog.
Article content
Article content
Kathleen Sokvitne has lived on the street in High River, Alta., about 60 kilometres south of Calgary, for 30 years.
Article content
She says those flags show that not all Albertans agree with renewed efforts to secede from the country.
Article content
Article content
'Suggestions that the number of people wanting to separate is growing worries me,' said Sokvitne, standing on her driveway.
Article content
Article content
Sokvitne said statements by Premier Danielle Smith, as well as her government's introduction of a bill making it easier for citizens to trigger referendums, enable separatists. Smith has said those wanting to separate are frustrated with Ottawa and 'are not fringe voices.'
Article content
'She is manipulating the people of this province into believing that we should seriously look at separating,' Sokvitne said. 'It is just ludicrous. Not all of us think like that. I absolutely disagree.'
Article content
After speaking to a number of residents across Alberta — from High River in the south to Edmonton in the north — opinions on separatism are just as diverse as the province itself.
Article content
Some Albertans are frustrated with Ottawa, and a small margin wants to secede. Others argue that separation would be reckless.
Article content
Article content
Article content
'Deep down, though, we're Canadians,' said Engler, 76.
Article content
Engler said the frustration stems from historical and current grievances some people, including his own family, have against Ottawa.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Globe and Mail
36 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Alberta MP officially resigns to pave way for Poilievre's by-election
Pierre Poilievre's effort to regain a seat in the House of Commons is set to begin in earnest with the formal resignation of the Alberta MP who offered to give up his riding for the Conservative Leader. Damien Kurek officially resigned Tuesday as the MP for Battle River—Crowfoot, after announcing he intended to step down last month. Mr. Kurek won the riding in the April 28 vote with nearly 83 per cent of the vote, his third victory in a seat the party has held for decades. But after Mr. Poilievre lost his own seat in the election, Mr. Kurek announced he'd resign to give the party leader a place to run. Mr. Poilievre held an Ottawa-area riding for nearly 20 years but lost it to Liberal Bruce Fanjoy in a major upset for the Conservatives. Minority Liberals gain Conservative support to speed up debate on internal trade bill His loss means, among other things, he can't serve as Opposition Leader in the House of Commons, a role being filled temporarily by former party leader Andrew Scheer. Though Mr. Kurek is stepping back, he said in a statement it is a temporary move. 'Pierre Poilievre is a man of principle, character, and is the hardest working MP I have ever met. His energy, passion, and drive will have a huge benefit in East Central Alberta,' he said. 'I will continue to work with our incredible local team to do everything I can to remain the strong voice for you as I support Pierre in this process, and then run again here in Battle River—Crowfoot in the next general election.' It's unclear which riding Mr. Poilievre would run in during the next general election campaign. Commons approves motion calling for ArriveCan contractor GCStrategies to face lifetime ban Mr. Kurek was unable to resign sooner due to rules in the Elections Act and the Parliament of Canada Act. Now that he has, the Speaker will inform Elections Canada of a vacancy. Once that procedure is complete, Prime Minister Mark Carney must wait at least 11 days, but no more than 180 days, to call a by-election. Mr. Carney has previously said he would call one as soon as he's able to. In addition to securing the support of voters in the riding, Mr. Poilievre will also have to face members of his own party for a leadership review. The Conservative Party's constitution states that at the first national convention after an election the party doesn't win – if the leader hasn't resigned – 'the delegates will vote by secret ballot if they wish to engage the leadership selection process.' The Globe and Mail reported Monday that will happen in January.
CTV News
42 minutes ago
- CTV News
Montreal invests $100K to lure research talent seeking to escape United States
The downtown skyline is seen Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015, in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz The City of Montreal is investing $100,000 to lure scientists and researchers who want to leave the United States. In a news release, Mayor Valérie Plante says the 'current situation' in the U.S. is offering Montreal a unique opportunity to recruit global talent. U.S. President Donald Trump has tried to force change at universities he says have become hotbeds of liberalism and antisemitism, threatening to cut federal funding unless schools comply with his political agenda. In response, Plante's administration is teaming up with economic development agency Montréal International and the city's universities to attract top U.S. academic talent. Half of the investment will go to Montréal International to attract foreign investment, entrepreneurs and international workers to the city. The other $50,000 will fund five research grants for doctoral and post-doctoral students looking to come to Montreal. Over the weekend, four Quebec universities publicly called on the provincial and federal governments to step up to make the province and the country a landing spot for high-level researchers from around the globe. 'Today, we reaffirm our commitment to providing scientists and researchers in the United States with a dynamic, inclusive environment that fosters innovation,' Plante says in the news release. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025. — With files from The Associated Press.
Calgary Herald
44 minutes ago
- Calgary Herald
Damien Kurek officially resigns Battle River-Crowfoot seat so Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre can run in byelection
Article content Battle River-Crowfoot MP Damien Kurek said Tuesday he has resigned his seat so Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre can run in a historically safe Alberta riding for the party. Article content Poilievre lost the Ottawa-area riding of Carleton to the Liberals' Bruce Fanjoy during the April 28 federal election. Article content Article content Kurek had announced before officially being sworn in that he planned to resign to allow Poilievre to rejoin the House of Commons through a byelection in Battle River-Crowfoot, which Kurek won with 82.1 per cent of the ballots cast in the riding. Article content Article content 'Today I am resigning my seat in the House of Commons so that a byelection can be called as soon as possible to allow for our Conservative Party Leader, Pierre Poilievre, to run in Battle River-Crowfoot and earn a seat in the House of Commons where he will continue fighting for Canadians and holding the Liberal government to account,' said Kurek in a Tuesday statement posted on social media. Article content Article content 'Their support and commitment to the Conservative movement and our mission to bring back hope and prosperity to this country has been unmatched,' said Kurek, who called Poilievre 'a man of principle and character' and 'the hardest working MP I have ever met.' Article content Kurek said he plans to work with the local Conservative team in Battle River-Crowfoot to get Poilievre elected and plans to run again in Battle River-Crowfoot in the next general election. Article content
