Braid: A separation campaign will hurt the province, the economy, and the United Conservative Party
The road ahead starts to look rocky for Premier Danielle Smith and the UCP.
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A separatism debate could divide her caucus, whose members are already smarting from fierce criticism levelled by two expelled MLAs.
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Most alarming are the economic threats posed by the mere hint of separation.
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Nancy Southern, CEO of ATCO and an early Smith leadership backer, told Postmedia columnist Chris Varcoe, 'Absolutely, it's impacting investments now, as we look to (have) partners for our large project that are from offshore.'
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No company is more Albertan than ATCO, founded in 1947 by Ron Southern and his father as Alberta Trailer Hire and now a $24-billion enterprise.
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The Southerns managed to do that within a united Canada. It's doubtful they could match their singular feat in a little country called Alberta.
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Southern says separation talk should get no oxygen at all.
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Smith herself launched this debate. It will be hugely divisive among Albertans.
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Today's United Conservative Party is 'mainly united in causing division,' says Peter Guthrie, the former infrastructure minister who quit and then was kicked out of Smith's caucus.
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Guthrie and his fellow caucus evacuee, Scott Sinclair, have become a fierce two-man opposition to the government, lighting up the legislature with attacks that rival anything from the NDP.
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They're conservatives who say the government isn't really conservative.
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Smith's caucus members squirm while Sinclair and Guthrie deliver their blasts.
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'It must be difficult for those cabinet ministers and some of those MLAs, listening to the premier and her denials while knowing full well what the truth is,' Guthrie says.
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Guthrie makes legislature accusations about the health procurement scandal. He also raised questions about alleged involvement of Smith's husband in talks about a Banff rail project.
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Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The simple answer is 'Yes.' I would vigorously defend the right of public libraries to lend graphic content to patrons — with proper age restrictions, of course. Freedom of conscience, freedom of expression and overall freedom are more important than some people's desire not to be offended. Or worse yet, their desire to make sure books they find objectionable are banned, so no other adults may make up their own minds what is and isn't appropriate for themselves. We have no duty or right to protect other grown-ups from their own decisions and choices. 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It would also allow the Department of Homeland Security to waive personal interviews of U.S. nationals as part of the process and to reduce fees for them. ___ Bohrer reported from Juneau, Alaska, and Johnson from Seattle.
