In the days following the re-election of the Liberal Party at the federal level, and an almost conservative sweep in Alberta and the other prairie provinces, some are feeling the frustration of Western Canada seemingly being left out.
This feeling has fuelled talk of seperation, again.
The VoteWexit Facebook page, better known strictly as 'Wexit' went from 2,000 members prior to the election to more than 215,000 people and counting at press time. Founder of the group Peter Downing, told a news organization his group received more than $20,000 in donations and memberships.
So how does this effect Cochrane? Several people from the community were eager to share their thoughts and opinions on whether or not they were in favour of this movement, including Town Councillor Morgan Nagel.
"I am 100 per cent opposed to western seperation, despite the fact that I am quite conservative politically," Nagel said while pointing out some of his thoughts on the topic such as the economic and political uncertaintly and that Canada has it better than most countries. "I love being Canadian, and I am proud of our country."
Other local Cochranites such as Martina McCurtain and Dana Fenech were in agreement with Nagel, saying they understand people's frustrations and people might be a little quick to jump on the Wexit bandwagon.
"I think it is a quick reaction to what happened in the election," McCurtain said. "It is great to think about, but when you get down to the nuts and bolts of it you would need some very strong leaders and great business people to make it successful. In my opinion it could be worth the hard work, but it would be a risk that strong people would have to pull off and not just people who wish we could keep our oil money."
"The reaction to the election results are emotional, but it's been a slow burn leading up to it and finally it's imploding," Fenech said.
"Albertans are fed up being treated 'less than' by Ontario. What leader doesn't want their entire country to flourish? Not one that's been re-elected. Ottawa needs to look up at that big blue map from the election night and wake the hell up."
"Separatism is an incredibly short sighted idea," said Steven Uren. "It is fueled by emotion and sensationalism, and isn't rooted in reality. Canada needs an Alberta that speaks out for itself, as well as every other province in Confederation."
"What Albertans should support is proportional representation and we need to push Justin Trudeau to deliver that to us. While I would have been upset that the plurality of seats would have rested with the conservatives, the fact that decomocracy would have prevailed would have been the saving grace."
Citizens of Cochrane such as Brayden Cook who has grown up in Cochrane, believe separation is the next step Alberta needs to take.
"Separatism would be the best for Alberta," Cook said. "However, it would never be voted for from the majority ... which is a shame."
"With more information on logistics, I would be for it, said Mandy. Mandy didn't want her last name published. "For generations the west has been alienated and overlooked by Ottawa and eastern Canada. We don't have the same values, we don't have the same way of life, and we don't see eye-to-eye on important issues that affect the whole country."
"If Quebec, one province, can entertain the idea of separation, maybe the western provinces should begin thinking about it as well."
"I think it's an excellent idea," said Elaine Germyn. "I'm not saying separation is the answer but maybe it could work like Quebec and once the threat is out there we could get noticed and catered to as well. Can't hurt ... we could be distinct rather than extinct."
