Coalition games fuel the fires of western separatism
With the House of Commons prorogued and the anti-Harper coalition showing signs of weakness, the Conservative government looks like it may survive. But while some stability has been returned to Parliament, the crisis has rekindled the fires of western separatism.
Doug Firby - December 11, 2008
Jean Charest’s moderate right party has held onto power in Quebec. Stéphane Dion has decided to end his personal torment as the much-mocked Liberal prime minister-in-waiting. The coalition of the unwilling is on hold, if not on the rocks – while Liberal king-makers have anointed Moses Ignatieff to lead them out of the wilderness.
It’s hard to believe it was just a few days ago that Canada was faced with a potential constitutional crisis and coalition coup.
Yet, while Canadians who crave security and stability may be breathing a sigh of relief that Stephen Harper’s minority Conservative government has found a lifeline, it would be a mistake to conclude that there is no fallout from recent parliamentary shenanigans. Instead, the overheated rhetoric and regional back-biting has rekindled old animosities simmering just beneath the surface of civility.
And opportunists are seizing the moment to cast old grievances in a new mould. In Alberta, for example, the turmoil has given new life to the moribund separatism movement.
“I would like to apologize for the inactivity of the Separation Party of Alberta,” wrote leader Bruce Hutton this month. “Our web site and our party has been dormant for a considerable period of time, but these Ottawa good old boys have certainly regenerated interest in our party.”
Hutton isn’t just talking through his hat. With the potential coalition threat still hanging over the head of their Calgary-based prime minister, more and more Albertans are openly declaring that eastern interests are once again undermining legitimate western aspirations. And they’re not just mad as hell – they’re not going to take it anymore.
“The time has come for western Canadians to separate from Canada,” fumed Calgarian Bill Longbotham in a local newspaper. “Confederation was supposed to be an alliance that would be good for every Canadian. This has not been the case for the West for many years. . . . If this power grab takes place, I urge all westerners to contact their premiers and advocate separation.”
Hutton claims the Separatist’s Party’s inbox has been flooded with letters from Albertans who are “fed up with corrupt politicians and an unworkable Confederation. They are looking for a place to vent.
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