Alberta dreams: Sezession of Canada or connection to the USA?

Alberta dreams: Sezession of Canada or connection to the USA?

The discussion about a possible split off the oil -rich province of Alberta von Canada and a connection to the United States is increasingly gaining driving. A survey shows that the majority of Canadians feel uncomfortable with the idea of ​​becoming 51st state of the United States. Nevertheless, there is a growing minority in Alberta who considers the step to be inevitable. These pro-Sezessenists argue that Alberta financially supports the rest of Canada and thus strives for its own association for independence. About 10% of Canadians represent separatist views, as the British “Telegraph” reports. The idea of ​​a connection was expressed for the first time last year and initially considered a joke.

The economic tensions between Canada and the USA have further fueled the topic. High tariffs on Canadian goods and a trade war have led to more and more people in Alberta support the secession movement. A prominent member, Dan Casselman, recently removed an oath to give up his loyalty to Canada in favor of the United States because he is convinced that Canada was consecrated to doom. Alberta delivers impressive 56% of all US oil imports and is proud to be the richest province of Canada, measured by GDP per capita.

political reactions and challenges

The political landscape in Canada, however, confronts the desire for secession. The new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney strictly rejected the idea of ​​an exit from the country and emphasizes that Canada will never become part of America. In the current debate about separatism, the Canadians also have to take into account the historical development of their country. Canada, a parliamentary monarchy with federal structures, looks back on a long history that is shaped by its development from a British colony to a sovereign state.

The Canadian government is based in Ottawa and is headed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has been in office since 2015. Trudeau is the 23rd Prime Minister and took on the role of his father Pierre Trudeau. The political structures in Canada are complex, with responsibilities that are divided between the federal and the provincial governments. Provinces like Alberta have their own legislative, which, however, does not have a Senate representative in the national parliament.

economic and social aspects

Dissatisfaction in Alberta has historical roots. Since the measures under Pierre Trudeau, which led to a redistribution of wealth of provinces such as Quebec and Ontario, many Albertans have felt disadvantaged. In addition, Justin Trudeau pursues green energy goals, which many are regarded by many in Alberta as a disadvantage for the oil industry based there. This fact promotes the feeling of injustice and strengthens support for the sezession movement, even if it finds hardly any response in the rest of Canada.

The province of Alberta and its political ambitions are in the area of ​​tension between national interests and regional needs. In view of the economic importance of Alberta for the United States, the debate about a possible secession will remain a central topic of political discussion in Canada in the coming months.

For more information, please visit the reports from Fascination Canada .