A Canadian Flag and the dome of the Alberta Legislature are visible in the background on July 1, 2026. Photo by David Bloom /Postmedia

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“Welcome home” were the words that greeted us as we crossed into Quebec from Vermont. Those are words that give a wonderful sense of belonging no matter where one is in this vast country. We were driving a vehicle with Alberta registration, and we were welcomed home. Back in the late ‘60s, both I and my husband were immigrants to this beautiful country. For us, it is distressing to hear and read the voices of dissatisfaction and the desire for Alberta separation.

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Canada is so much more than the individual provinces and territories. It’s an old saying: “United we stand, divided we fall.” There is economic strength in numbers; with increased integration, Canada can only grow in strength against the economic juggernaut on our border. Canada has welcomed immigrants from around the world and provided a haven for so many refugees. We have done our best to contribute to the success of Canada. We may have arrived in Alberta, but we view ourselves as Canadians first and foremost.

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I find it hard to understand the arguments for Alberta’s separation. Can Alberta even survive as an independent country? It would be an isolated, landlocked country. Would Canada even want to trade or facilitate trade with an independent Alberta? Or is there a desire to be “rescued” by the U.S.A., and for Alberta to be the weakest link in Canada? We have examples — Brexit and a previous separation vote in Quebec — that provide evidence of the ensuing negative economic fallout. The data suggest dire economic consequences. Also, Alberta would not get the monetary amount it seems to think it is owed by Ottawa.

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In addition, many of the ideas proposed by some separatist proponents are repulsive to me. There is no room in a progressive country for misogyny, xenophobia, and racism. For a society, however, it reduces the ability to reach its potential by not taking advantage of all talents and abilities. In my view, racism, disguised as citizenship being restricted to those born in Alberta, dishonours the contributions we have made to Alberta and Canada. There is also the discrimination happening against the Indigenous population; social media is full of negative comments against them because of their stand on the original treaties and their legal challenges to the separation movement. It is discrimination at its worst. If your ancestors were not Indigenous, then they were immigrants or refugees at some point.

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Misinformation seems to be contributing so much to the separatist argument. Who is responsible for this information? Those who would like to see the breakup of Canada? Is it the mysterious “bots” we read about? Or is it individuals who want power for themselves? Sorry separatists, you will still have to pay taxes; sorry, those high-paying jobs will not suddenly be yours if immigrants and refugees are denied an opportunity; and sorry, the national parks are part of Canada —please show your passport (no, it won’t be a Canadian one) if you want to visit. Enough already!