Alberta Independence Is No Longer Fringe | Keith Wilson on What Happens Next

Canada is unique in terms of a Western democracy.

We're the only country in the world that has a legal process for a province to become independent.

Other countries don't have this mechanism.

Uh, maybe it's the Canadian way.

I don't know.

So it's not treasonous? Just to-

No, it's not treasonous at all

... as some premiers have stated.

Yes.

No.

There is a legal mechanism.

The Supreme Court of Canada said in the 1998 Quebec reference case that if a clear majority of voters of a province vote on a clear question to become independent, that then creates a legal obligation on part of the federal government, the other provinces, and the impacted First Nations to enter into good faith negotiations.

[upbeat music] Hey, well, welcome back, everybody, to the Citizen Podcast.

I'm your host, David Craig.

It's great to be with you guys.

Excited for today's program.

It is in the immediate aftermath of something that happened in Calgary, which, uh, there is definitely a lot of chatter about.

And I think it's something that a lot of Albertans have been looking forward to.

Potentially, um, people in Ottawa haven't really been looking forward to it.

Um, but what happened in Calgary, if you're unaware, there was a serious public debate about whether Alberta should remain a part of Canada between Keith Wilson and Jason Kenney, and, uh, each of them arguing one side.

And, and what, what I wanna highlight going into it, this is, wasn't just fringe yelling.

It wasn't Twitter back and forth.

It was, it was serious debate and conversation about the pros and cons of each one of their stances.

And former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, um, as, as he took the stage with Keith Wilson, one of the leading voices in the Alberta independence movement, um, I think what unfolded was very revealing.

Um, and I think we need more of those conversations in Canada politically because that's actually what helps the citizens.

That's what helps you and I to be informed so we can make good, educated decisions, not just running or ranting on emotion or outrage, but conversations based on fact, conversations based...

Of course, opinions in there, but opinion formed by thought, by study, a- answering the questions that you and I have.

So today's episode, um, wherever you may stand on this issue, I don't care if you're in Alberta or if you're in Newfoundland and Labrador, and, and maybe you have no idea, as I've been in eastern Canada quite a bit.

A lot of people just aren't really...

They're just coming to, uh, terms with that this is a thing that's actually happening in western Canada.

Wherever you may stand on the issue, you're gonna learn something today.

Um, I've got a lot of questions.

Um, at times you'll find me asking questions that I'm curious about.

Sometimes I'll be playing devil's advocate, so it's gonna be a good conversation.

Mr. Keith Wilson, welcome to the show.