COLUMN: View from the Legislature – For the love of Canada….again

It was a long time ago, but I remember it very clearly. It was 1995 and it was the night of the second Quebec referendum which would decide whether Quebec would leave Canada or stay part of the federation. I was working as political staff in the government of Premier Gary Filmon, and like most staff, had remained in the building that evening to work and to watch the results.

Late into the evening, my work was done. I had drafted two news releases for various MLAs. The one release would be sent to their local media if Quebec voted to separate. It was filled, as I recall, with lots of cautionary language about the uncertain road ahead and disappointment in the result. The second release was to be sent if Quebec voters decided to stay in Canada. It contained more hopeful sentiments, but still cautionary language about what was avoided and the challenge to ensure that steps would be taken to ensure we never reached this point again.

While most staff were in the various offices huddled around T.V.’s watching the results (this was before our phones and social media gave us immediate updates), I sat on the grand staircase of the legislature with the different news releases in separate hands waiting to hear which one to send. But mostly, I was contemplating what Canada would look like the morning after the referendum.

Of course, history shows I was able to send the release signifying a vote by Quebec to remain in Canada. Barely. The vote was 50.58 percent to 49.42 percent to remain. I have always felt grateful that I was able to send out the release I did. I love Canada, every part of it, and want it to remain strong and united.

But here we are again, and this time eyes are looking west as it is Alberta that contemplates separation from Canada. The process is more complicated (it is essentially a vote to decide whether they want a vote), but the consequences are as great. It would be easy to argue about whether this vote was necessary at all and whether it truly reflects the will of most Albertans, but no matter how we got here, we are here. And there will be a vote this October in Alberta essentially asking whether Albertans want to remain in Canada.

In 1995 my view, as a young political staffer, was that there is more in Canada that unites us than divides us. Decades later, having had the opportunity to represent Manitoba and Canada nationally and internationally, I still feel that way, but I feel it with far greater clarity and conviction.

This is not to dismiss concerns that Alberta might have with how our confederation operates. It is not a perfect country. But the challenges that we face are much smaller than the opportunities that exist as a united country. Alberta is an integral part of our nation, and I believe that Canada is an integral part of Alberta.

While it is early days in this process, I am encouraged to see federal Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre commit to campaigning in Alberta to encourage residents to vote to stay in the Canadian family. He is joined by other prominent Alberta politicians like former Premier Jason Kenney and former MP Monte Solberg.

Canada remains, regardless of its challenges, one of the best countries in the world. Together, united, it has endless opportunities. For the love of Canada, again, lets stay strong and united.