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Letters: The good and bad of Alberta's vote

Readers weigh in the Alberta referendum, a vexing U.S. ambassador, Chrystia Freeland's 'kiss and tell,' plus much more in the Letters to Editor

‘Referendum in Alberta could result in both good and bad’

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Re: Albertans choose Canada. Perhaps Canada could choose us back — Carson Jerema; Failure was inevitable for Alberta separatists — Colby Cosh; and The awakened separatist dragon will not easily go back to sleep — John Ivison, all Oct. 20

Letters: The good and bad of Alberta's vote Back to video

This week’s referendum in Alberta could result in both good and bad. It is good, obviously, because a majority of Albertans voted to remain in Confederation, and it will be good if the fact that the province even contemplated separation convinces the federal Liberal government to pay attention to the issues confronting Western Canada, instead of ignoring the region because it doesn’t elect enough Liberals. (Remember when then rural economic development minister Gudie Hutchings suggested during a 2023 televised interview that if westerners wanted more influence with the federal government, “Perhaps they need to elect more Liberals in the Prairies”?) Prime Minister Mark Carney’s “Build Canada Strong” (as if we would ever “Build Canada Weak”) should not depend on how many seats a region contributes to the government benches.

On the other hand, Alberta’s referendum could encourage the separatist Parti Québécois government in Quebec to continue that province’s extortion of the Rest of Canada. Just as Mark Carney must pay more attention to the West, he must resist the Liberal Party of Canada’s constant urge to pander to Quebec for votes. For instance, how does a high-speed rail line to Quebec City deserve to be a national priority? The answer is, it doesn’t. It is simply the Liberals’ most recent concession to Quebec while the Rest of Canada gives.

Columnist Jesse Kline keeps you up to date with what’s happening in Israel and the effects of antisemitism on life here in Canada. Friday mornings.

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Paul Clarry, Aurora, Ont.

Sit down, Ambassador Hoekstra

Re: Hoekstra tells Canada ‘keep your nose out of American politics’ ahead of midterms — Ellie Hutchings, Oct. 14

It’s richly absurd that U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra has warned Canadian politicians “to keep your nose out of American politics,” when the American administration has put its entire face into Canadian politics, from calling Canada the 51st........

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