Global Energy Show delegates are silhouetted against a Canadian flag in Calgary on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Photo by Gavin Young /Postmedia

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From now until the Oct. 19 referendum in Alberta, the Edmonton Journal and Calgary Herald are publishing your thoughts about the upcoming vote and issues related to separation. Here are some of the latest emails we’ve received.

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Canada is not an experiment, but a state. Canada is not a perfect state by any means, but there is no such thing anyway. And Alberta has become what it is today within Canada, not against it. Do I get irritated at central Canada sometimes? Sure. But it’s like a family: you don’t always get along, but you always find a way, and that’s how we should think about this situation. I, for one, do not believe that Canada is a big problem for Alberta at all and I don’t understand why the separatists who scream at me in my neighbourhood and use slurs to talk to me think they have such a terrible deal. We are prosperous, we have a high standard of living, we have the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which safeguards what is important for democracy. If we wanted to, we could end poverty, create more sustainable health care, address the opioid crisis and stop coal mines from being built in our watersheds. We could, as Peter Lougheed imagined, create a future for those who come after us. Instead, a very small group of people are being allowed to drive a big bus of distraction from things our provincial government doesn’t want us to think about, like corruption and financial mismanagement. We should not be about making a very small group of people happy. If they don’t like Alberta, they can form a separatist party like there is in Quebec and see if we all vote for them or not. Everywhere I have travelled in Canada this year, I have had to apologize for my province’s narrowness and stupidity. I would much rather talk about all the good things in Alberta and I’m tired of being embarrassed by this weird desire to complain about all the good things we have. — Julie Rak

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We want Alberta to remain in Canada. — Ray

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Alberta separatism is a preoccupation of a bunch of loud malcontents fomenting anger with and hatred for the federal government, egged on by the personal ideology of a premier with a bizarre obsession with Justin trudeau. It is not about pipelines, after all, Justin Trudeau gave Alberta a pipeline, yet, these malcontents are still angry. Yes, they are still angry because of “those liberals in the east who make all the decisions.” To them i say: Elect more Liberal MPs. — Edo Deweert

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Prior to the Liberals taking government back in 2015, an independent Alberta was the furthest topic from my mind. Today I really see no other choice but for Alberta to leave this Confederation. The crime and corruption that runs within these liberal governments is beyond fathomable. On top of that we are two totally different cultures of that of the East. The East mainly relies on govt subsidies and handouts whereas for most part Albertans just wanting to go to work with good paying jobs, leave our money in our pockets to decide how we want to spend and live. In other words, we want smaller and less govt intervention in our lives. Most just want to work and be left alone without govt interference. It’s apparent this is impossible with a Liberal government in Ottawa and a PM that tries to rule like a dictator. In my opinion, anyone that denies the corruption that is going on are just as guilty or just plain uninformed as this govt does not even try to hide their corruption anymore. This country is no longer a democratic society. — Darren

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I was born in Alberta in the Dominion of Canada and am definitely not in favor of separation. Canada is strong as a whole. What I would lose under separation: 1. CPP & OAS; 2. veterans pension; 3. Alberta public service pension; 4. my medical services; 5. Would become homeless. — Deianne R Whitlock

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Alberta Voices is an Edmonton Journal/Calgary Herald project that amplifies Albertans’ thoughts on separation-related issues. Send your opinion, to be considered for publication, to edm-feedback@postmedia.com with the subject line Alberta Voices.

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