SASKATOON — Word that the Alberta government is putting the question of possible independence to a vote this fall has drawn contrasting reactions from Saskatchewan's political leaders.
The reaction from Premier Scott Moe on Monday was that he didn't think Alberta Premier Danielle Smith had a choice but to call a referendum, but he pointed to the many advantages of remaining in Canada. Meanwhile, the growing separatism talk in both Alberta and Saskatchewan is getting more pushback from the Saskatchewan NDP.
In a statement Monday morning, Opposition Leader Carla Beck said that the "recent confirmation of a referendum vote in Alberta, and the growing separatism movement here in Saskatchewan, should concern every person in Canada."
"What is especially troubling is Premier Scott Moe refusing to clearly call on these movements to stop at a time when leadership and clarity are needed most," Beck also stated. "Saskatchewan separatist organizers are already claiming the referendum in Alberta is giving their movement here greater buoyancy and legitimacy."
Beck said people across the Prairies have real frustrations with Ottawa that deserve serious attention, but said separatism is not a constructive solution, pointing to "massive uncertainty for businesses, workers, farmers and investors."
She once again called on Moe to publicly call for a stop to the separatist efforts.
"Today, I am calling on Premier Scott Moe to publicly call on those stoking separatism in Saskatchewan, in Alberta and anywhere else to stop. He will have a clear opportunity at this week's meeting of Western Premiers, and I hope he will take it. Let’s keep Canada together — the true north, strong and free."
The NDP's latest call for a stop to the separatism efforts comes in the wake of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announcing that there would be a referendum question put to voters Oct. 19 on whether Alberta should remain a province of Canada, or whether the Government of Alberta should commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether Alberta should separate from Canada.
The news has prompted new speculation about what it could mean for independence efforts within Saskatchewan. One of those groups, the Saskatchewan Prosperity Project, has been holding a series of "summit" events on the topic of Saskatchewan independence, having scheduled events in Saskatoon and Regina this past weekend. They were set to go in Swift Current on Monday evening.
At a news conference in Saskatoon Monday, the NDP's Hugh Gordon and Kim Breckner voiced concerns about the independence efforts in the province.
"They're not hiding what they're trying to do," said Gordon.
"They're organizing, they're holding town halls, they're recruiting supporters and they're planning events in communities across Saskatchewan. The question today is simple. Why won't Scott Moe stand up and tell them to stop? Frankly, his silence speaks volumes."
Breckner pointed to concerns about uncertainty stemming from independence talk. She pointed to an Alberta Chamber of Commerce survey that showed more than half of respondents believed the separatist discourse was having a negative impact on that province's economy.
"The economic consequences of this debate are something Scott Moe is refusing to acknowledge," Breckner said. "The last thing we need is the Premier flirting with a movement that creates more instability."
The Saskatchewan government and Moe have, up to now, stopped short of outright condemnation of independence efforts in the province. Last year at the legislature, in response to calls from the NDP for Moe to condemn separatist supporters, Moe said he was "not about condemning Canadians, and I'm not about condemning people."
Moe added at the time that their "position as a government is very clear, and has been clear since the very formation of this party. We believe in a strong, growing, vibrant Saskatchewan within a united nation of Canada. I can't be more clear with respect to that.”
Moe responds at Western Premiers conference
In Kananaskis, the issue of Alberta separation was a hot topic with the media. Moe was asked by reporters if he himself would ever allow a separation referendum in his province.
From his perspective, "she's following the law," he said of Smith's move to call a referendum.
"She has, you know, 400,000 that have suggested one question, 300(,000) another. You know, there's some legalities that are going to work their way through there. However, this is not a separation referendum. But her citizen initiatives legislation requires that the government move forward when those parameters are hit, when those signatures are hit. And so she is following the law."
As for Saskatchewan, Moe acknowledged they have plebiscite legislation and said "if that was met in Saskatchewan, … we're a government that would follow the law in that space."
When asked again if he supported Smith in advancing this question, Moe reiterated "I don't think she has a choice."
"Ultimately, if the parameters are met, and they've been met twice in this case, and she's put both questions on … the referendum question that's going to be advanced to the people of Alberta. To me, that's following the law that they have in place. I don't know how you would circumvent the law in that case."
As for concerns that independence supporters in Saskatchewan might do the same thing, Moe said the "alienation frustration that many feel in Saskatchewan, and obviously many feel in Alberta, is very real. And it has been building over the course of the last 10 years with these unconsulted harmful policies that the previous Prime Minister continued to bring forward."
"What I would say, and it isn't for me to tell Albertans how to vote in these questions or any others that are coming to them, but what I would say as a sub-national leader of a neighbouring province and a fellow Canadian, is there are many reasons for us to look at where we are today under Prime Minister (Mark) Carney, and to look at the advantages that being part of Canada can bring to Albertans and to our province of Saskatchewan."
Moe also reiterated that "our position in Saskatchewan is very clear. The eighth founding principle of our party is for a strong and growing province of Saskatchewan within a united nation of Canada. So we're very clear in our position in our province."
He added that he would not be "standing here saying to Albertans, 'you should do this.' What I will be stating is what I see happening. And it's very different what is happening between the provincial and the federal governments, or in particular, the provinces and the current Prime Minister, compared to what we saw one, two, three years ago."
As for whether he would help Alberta remain in Canada, Moe said Albertans are "going to make their own choice," but said what he would say is there are "many reasons I think that it's beneficial for Alberta to remain in Canada," including expanded trade relations and exports around the world.
Moe told reporters he "agree(s) or align very closely with Premier Smith's position on Alberta remaining in Canada."
"However, I'm the Premier of Saskatchewan. I'm not an Albertan, and it's not for me to in any way judge Albertans or certainly not for me to tell them that some of the challenges that they have had to face and we've had to face that in industries in Saskatchewan as well over the last decade aren't real. They're very real and they're still present to some degree. But when you look at what is happening today and what potentially can continue to happen in the future, I think we're charting a different course. And that's the message I would bring to Albertans."
