This land is my land – this land is your land

From the shores of the Pacific to the Maritimes, this land belongs to you and me. 

Premier Danielle Smith is bringing division to Alberta because most people do not intend to separate except for a few disgruntled citizens. She cannot use the “notwithstanding clause” to rule the sovereignty of the Province of Alberta and defy the court’s decision on the separation issue. She might get tangled up in a court battle and lose all her ministers. Then she will not be capable of running as Premier of Alberta and will be forced to call an election. In the beginning when Justin Trudeau was Prime Minister of Canada, she always rejected what he had to say. She accepted the equalization payments for Alberta from the federal government, but she did not share it with the people of Alberta for their own benefit. One example was the Pharmacare program that Jagmeet Singh, former national NDP leader, initiated with Trudeau’s government. I feel that all seniors will benefit from it when Danielle Smith accepts the bill, so the Alberta government pays for our medications. Blue Cross does not cover all my prescriptions even when paying the Alberta government $132.28 monthly, for my wife and myself, is appalling.

The opposition Conservative Leader, Pierre Poilievre, and all Conservative MPs press for Alberta to remain part of Canada in any separation referendum campaign in the province. Prime Minister Mark Carney signed an agreement with Smith last week that adjusted climate policies including industrial carbon pricing and backed plans to advance a new oil pipeline to the Pacific coast. The opposition Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi said that Danielle Smith’s government has started a fire and has “no idea” how to control it as she is expected to add a question of Alberta independence to the fall referendum ballot. She is playing a strange game because she doesn’t want to take responsibility and leave the work to the people of Alberta to decide on this issue. 

The Blackfoot Nation in Southern Alberta comprising of Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani Nations have rich history rooted in the Great Plains which are included in the Indian Act Treaty in the Constitution of Canada. They should be consulted before introducing a referendum either to separate or discuss any referendums since originally this is Blackfoot land, and the Premier of Alberta should abide by their wishes.

Paul Jones, Coaldale