If Albertans are to say yes to Canada come Monday, the rest of us must show them the country is worth saying yes to.

We need to do the hard work of making Confederation live up to its full potential because, for far too long, it hasn’t done so.

LILLEY: If Alberta votes yes to Canada, the rest of us have work to do Back to video

The desire for so many Albertans to even consider the path of separation didn’t come from nowhere.

Over the last 18 months, the country has talked about standing together, of a Team Canada approach in response to tariffs and trade turmoil emanating out of Washington. Yet for the decade before those threats, Alberta was too often told it wasn’t part of the team and that its contributions weren’t wanted.

Alberta’s grievances are real

That’s something Prime Minister Mark Carney alluded to in his speech in Calgary on Thursday night as he spoke of the need to repair frayed ties.

“The frustrations Albertans have felt are real,” Carney said.

“Growing up, I remember how many Albertans felt Ottawa didn’t respect their role in the federation,” he said. “More recently, many felt their contributions as energy producers........

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