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Rob Breakenridge: Alberta separatism just got a whole lot more volatile

With muddled referendum question, Danielle Smith risks undermining all the progress she's made

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CALGARY — Well, if Alberta’s premier was looking to duck the accusation that she was the one putting a separation question on the ballot, she’s created an unusual bit of plausible deniability.

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That’s because the question the premier has decided will be asked of Albertans really isn’t a separation vote at all. It will carry the political baggage and divisiveness of one, but there’s no potential outcome here, at least initially, that would trigger Alberta’s exit from Confederation.

Rob Breakenridge: Alberta separatism just got a whole lot more volatile Back to video

This isn’t even a yes/no question. It comes down to a symbolic embrace of a united Canada versus a potential path to a possible and actual separation vote. It’s a question meant to assuage two opposing camps that instead will end up antagonizing both to varying degrees.

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