REFERENDUM ONE

The first referendum will focus on one of the most defining questions.  Alberta’s separation from the Dominion of Canada.  This question is a scary one to be sure, but it must be asked first as the answer will greatly affect the people of the province and Canada overall.  

Closer to home, the answer will determine the order of the referendum questions that will follow and determine if additional questions are needed.  So, before our reforms can be determined, the people should decide if we stay or if we go.     

WHY? 

In Alberta, separation has reared its ugly head from time to time over the years.  Usually associated with the reality that sets in after the federal election results are announced from the Maritimes on through to BC.  Western Canadians from Manitoba to BC are all reminded that our elections are a joke on us all.  We know all too well, that as the votes for Ontario are announced and confirm, yet again, that the election has been decided.   If you’re from any of the western provinces, you know what I am talking about.  

The reality is that western votes just don’t matter!  

The fact is that only two provinces matter to the federal political parties.   

Asking the separation question will. 

1.  Put to rest the discussion and allow Alberta to move forward one way or the other.   

2.  Will dictate the order of the questions that will be asked during the referendum period.  

3.  Will set the direction of the CG and bureaucracy as a province or the independent state of Alberta. 

BENEFITS: 

What benefits would Alberta gain should we separate from the Dominion?  

Separation could. 

1.  End federal transfer payments.  

2.  End federal agreements for military, policing and border patrol. 

3.  Allow the new country to,

    a.   To take control over our borders, 

    b.  Create / expand a diplomatic corp., 

    c.  The ability to negotiate our own trade deals with foreign government's, 

    d.  To create a central banking system, 

    e.  Create a new currency backed by gold, 

    f.  Create a made in Alberta plan of environmental stewardship and economic prosperity.   

PROBLEMS: 

Anyone that has endured a breakup knows that parting ways is not easy.  It is fair to say that separating from Canada is a good comparison and we the people will need to recognize and seek out solutions for the following. 

1.  Alberta is landlocked.  Being a landlock country will pose some difficulties for export of Alberta goods and resources.  Imports of goods and resources not available to Alberta will also be a challenge.   All of these issues can be managed via the diplomatic corp.  

2.  Albertans will have to accept a larger government.  Larger government means higher cost, more red tape and of course more bureaucrats.   It will be the responsibility of the CG and Senate to keep a tight rein on the size of the bureaucracy.  

3.  Alberta will need to create some new departments to replace federal departments such as the RCMP, CRA, border control, military, etc.

THE DISCUSSION & DEBATE 

The discussion & debate must examine the pros and cons of becoming an independent state and of remaining as a province of Canada.   The following should be included in the discussion. 

1.  How the province of Alberta currently manages our relationships with, 

    a. The provinces,  

    b. The federal government,  

    c. Foreign governments, and, 

    d. How will separation change this? 

2.  History.  Alberta’s history and our role in a unified Canada.  Western Canada has been the breadbasket and strategic mineral resource base of Canada since the start of the 18th century.  How will Alberta’s separation change this?   

3.  Right of Way.  As a new state in the middle of the two western provinces and the Northwest Territories, Alberta would have the ability to affect all movement of goods and people east to west and vice versa. 

4.  How will the country of Alberta,

a.  Best ensure the success of the new country’s economy,  

        •  What goods and services can, could or should be imported or exported?  And from and to whom? 

       •  What to do about import & export tariffs?

       •  What should the economic diversity plan include? 

b. Be as a self-sufficient state?  Is an Alberta first policy the right policy for a self-sufficient country. 

c.  Protect its citizens from the unwanted influences of other states, multi-national corporations or war, 

d.  Protect our borders, and,

e.  Manage immigration and integration of new citizens. 

THE QUESTION 

This question will be the only one that does not allow for a citizen to abstain.   Each must make a choice.  The proposed referendum question is; 

SHOULD ALBERTA SEPARATE FROM CANADA? 

THE ANSWER  

If the majority votes are YES votes, the focus of the CG will be to present a transition plan for the separation process.  A no vote will see the CG overseeing and managing the existing bureaucracy.  Changes to existing policy, programs, agencies or regulations will come as each referendum is completed. 

If the majority votes are YES votes, the focus of the CG will be to. 

1.  Guide government through the referendum phase.   

2.  Oversee the creation of new departments that will be needed such as a state police force, tax collector, border patrol, militia and other departments as needed to govern and protect the states greatest asset’s, the people. 

3.  Implement the transition plan. 

TRANSITION PLAN

If the majority of people select to form a new country, an amicable transition must be executed in an orderly manner.  It is very important to ease any tension that the federal government, investment markets or neighboring provinces, states and territories may have.  Therefore, if separation is the will of the people, the CG will communicate a transition plan to the world that will detail, 

1.  A set transition schedule, timeline and the official date of separation. 

2.  The transfer of monies to the new state from Albertans contributions to federal program’s such as CPP, EI and others. 

3.  The transition processes that will be used. 

4.  The transfer of federal land and assets within Alberta’s borders to the new state. 

5.  How passage of goods and people will be regulated for rail, road and air space. 

As the transition is underway the CG will, 

1.  Create a new banking system to support the currency of the new state, 

2.  Reinstate the Alberta Stock Exchange,

3.  Create an investment portfolio to support Albertans that are retired and paid into the CPP system,

4.  Direct the bureaucracy to reform and create new departments, 

5.  Reboot of the Alberta advantage,  

6.  Prepare for the referendums that follow. 

With the hard question answered, the questions that Albertans will be asked during the referendum phase that will follow are intended to strengthen the rights and freedoms for everyone and end the divisiveness, corruption and waste that the current party system has created.