OTTAWA — The federal Conservatives have initiated a campaign aimed at engaging their supporters to encourage participation in the upcoming Alberta referendum scheduled for October 19. The referendum will ask Albertans whether they wish to remain a province or commence the legal proceedings necessary to hold a binding vote on leaving Canada.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, in a speech made in Calgary this summer, called for unity among Albertans, asserting that issues surrounding separatism are not born out of a conflict with Canada itself, but rather with the Liberal government. “We don’t need a different country in Alberta, we need different government policies in Ottawa,” Poilievre stated on June 8.
Parkland MP Dane Lloyd has been designated as the caucus lead for the campaign advocating for Alberta to remain a part of Canada. In an interview, Lloyd emphasized that their message goes beyond mere reassurances about the status quo. “We know the status quo needs to change. But our problem is not with Canada,” he remarked, reflecting the sentiments of many Albertans who feel overlooked and disrespected by the federal government.
Despite Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal government taking steps such as cancelling the consumer carbon price and signing an agreement with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith regarding resource development, Lloyd articulated that frustrations remain. He conveyed that many Albertans, through discussions at roundtables, still identify as patriotic Canadians but are disillusioned by the treatment they have received from federal authorities over many years, excluding the tenure of former Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservatives.
Lloyd highlighted the importance of fostering national pride, especially amidst ongoing trade tensions with the United States. He believes that engaging Albertans' patriotism is crucial as polls indicate that a substantial majority still wish to remain in Canada, despite a push from some groups advocating for the initiation of the referendum process as leverage against Ottawa.
Current polling data suggests that support for separatism largely arises from right-wing individuals, particularly amongst followers of Smith’s United Conservative Party. Earlier this summer, Poilievre expressed that “all Conservatives will be campaigning for Canadian unity in Alberta,” further emphasizing the importance of this campaign.
Throughout the summer, Poilievre actively participated in various events across Alberta, including the Calgary Stampede and engagements in his own riding of Battle River-Crowfoot. The Conservatives for Canada group recently unveiled a website and released a statement on social media to rally support. When asked about the timing of the campaign, which commenced six weeks prior to the vote, Lloyd explained that the necessity for a coordinated effort became evident during his meetings with constituents over the summer.
Understanding that voter turnout in referendums can often be low, Lloyd underscored the imperative of mobilizing the 1.4 million Albertans who voted Conservative in the last election to support a stronger Alberta within a United Canada. According to Elections Alberta, there is an expectation of high voter turnout, as the agency has received an unprecedented 290,000 requests for mail-in ballots, with predictions suggesting that turnout could potentially reach a record-breaking 85 percent.
Lloyd confirmed that the grassroots campaign is adhering to Elections Alberta’s regulations, featuring donation options and providing information about voting and volunteer opportunities on their website. This increase in mobilization comes at a critical time as Albertans contemplate their role within the Canadian federation, aiming to influence the dialogue surrounding governance and representation.
