Alberta Voices: An independent province would be vulnerable to American pressures

This the road that runs along the international border between Montana and Alberta. Sweetgrass, Montana, USA is on the left and Coutts, Alberta, Canada on the right. Mike Drew/Postmedia From now until the Oct. 19 referendum in Alberta, the Calgary Herald and Edmonton Journal are publishing your thoughts about the upcoming vote and issues related to separation. Here are some of the latest emails we’ve received. I hope those who are considering separation from Canada as a valid means to address Albertan grievances with its place and role in the Canadian family will first think long and hard about how vulnerable a non-aligned independent Alberta will be, in light of the predatory and imperialist nature of our once dependable and trustworthy neighbour to the south. The recent trade talks well illustrate the nature of the demands an independent Alberta would have to contend with to remain independent from the U.S, and it would be foolhardy to assume we could withstand what would doubtless be incessant pressure to become either the 51st state or an unincorporated American territory like Puerto Rico or Guam. Similarly, it would be dangerously short-sighted to blithely assume that the threat to Alberta sovereignty from below the 49th will come to an end once the current U.S. administration cedes power in 2028 – if it does. Canada without Alberta will certainly be diminished, but Alberta without Canada will just as certainly become American. – Peter McLaws * * * * * Let’s send a message in the Oct. 19 vote. Everything is not hunky-dory in Alberta and Canada. The referendum gives us a chance to let the powers in Ottawa know this is the case. My voice says let’s consider the option. – Irene Demaski * * * * * Has anyone promoting the separation of Alberta from Canada seriously considered the potential impact such a decision could have on their future retirement benefits, including Old Age Security (OAS) and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP)? What about the thousands of workers who regularly travel to Alberta for employment opportunities? How would separation affect their CPP contributions, pension entitlements, or other benefits tied to Canada’s existing programs? Albertans who are approaching retirement – and those planning for retirement in the years ahead – should be asking some very important questions. If Alberta were to separate from Canada, would their existing OAS and CPP benefits remain fully protected? Would there be changes or reductions to the…