I spent the Thanksgiving weekend in the heart of Alberta separatist country — a rural section of Premier Danielle Smith’s own riding.

While the riding itself may not vote for the province to leave Canada in the Oct. 19 referendum, I’m sure the poll where my in-laws live will.

GUNTER: Pro-Canada side needs to win big to stop separatist movement Back to video

The city of Medicine Hat (population 65,000), the agriculture and natural gas hub that is the anchor of the constituency, will likely vote pro-Canada and carry the day.

But out on the prairie near Brooks, I didn’t see a single pro-Canada sign. The four corners of many rural junctions had signs urging voters to “Send Ottawa a message” or “Let Alberta decide.” Lots of Alberta flags, too. But not one of the “Forever Canadians” or other “remain” signs like the ones that have sprung up like mushrooms in my suburban Edmonton neighbourhood.

I’m still confident the pro-Canada side will win next Monday (even if we won’t learn the preliminary results until........

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