Albertans are no strangers to voicing their concerns, but lately it seems the voices are getting louder as we continue to face adversity. Insert here, the Buffalo Declaration.
A unit of four MP's consisting of Michelle Rempel Garner, Glen Motz, Arnold Viersen and Blake Richards, have heard these voices and have acted on addressing them.
"There's a lot of people that are frustrated and angry, and for good reason," said MP, Blake Richards.
Undeniably, the battle between Western Canada and Eastern Canada has been on the forefront of politics for decades. From the east holding more seats in the House of Commons, to regulation and legislation over Alberta's natural resources, these are only two examples of many issues reaching a max capacity. The Buffalo Declaration focuses on finding solutions for the injustices being faced by the west.
The declaration mentions a Canada united in equity is in the best interests of its people, but this is not the current state of Canadian Federation. Four key points are then labouriously touched on.
- Alberta is not, and has never been, and equal participant in Confederation.
- Alberta is a culturally distinct region, but this has not been recognized.
- Alberta is physically and structurally isolated from Canada's economic and political power structures.
- Alberta is treated as a colony, rather than an equal partner in Confederation.
"We've had quite a positive reaction to it, we've had a lot of people indicate what they've been feeling, what they've been thinking and that was what we were shooting to try and do," said Richards.
"We want to make sure that we give a voice to that frustration and anger but one that is constructive, one that gives a path forward. The idea of separating is something that many people are reluctantly feeling as their only option. We wanted to make sure they had another option, to fix Confederation and make it work for everyone. I really believe that it's a document that if we can get some take up on it, would do just that."
Richards explains the next step is to create some traction in Ottawa by influencing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as well as those who are running for leaderships in the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada.
While the provincial government's Fair Deal Panel is consulting Albertans on strategies to secure a fair deal in the Canadian federation and advance vital economic interests, Richards says this is also the goal of the declaration as they are working toward a better Alberta. Even though the two outline similar points, they are their own entity.
"Proposals we are making are on a federal level and the proposals they are working on are a provincial level and so they can work in a complimentary way but one is seeking the federal level that's needed at a structural level which is what we are trying to do and at the provincial level they are trying to seek the changes they can make provincially to make room for a better deal for Alberta."
Richards believes structural changes are required and over the course of Canada's history there have been governments in place that understood the need to recognize concerns and interests from all parts of the country.
"Since Justin Trudeau came into power a lot of the stuff that was done under Stephen Harper has been reversed, so we are trying to create a structural change so no matter who's in power, no matter what the government is or what the issues of the day are, our Confederation is created in a way that makes sure that all parts of the country have the ability to be part of what's happening and feel properly represented."
As for Mayor Naheed Nenshi's remark on the Buffalo Declaration, Richards said it was in poor taste.
"For someone to say that a member of parliament that's trying to speak up on behalf of their constituents should calm down, frankly now is not the time to sit back and sit on your hands. Now is the time to take action and represent the people that we are supposed to be representing and I find it unfortunate that he isn't trying to do the same."
Thousands of Albertans have already come forward in support of the Buffalo Declaration.
