Sheila Bautz, Special to the Herald
The word Confederation is surfacing in the news, in places of business and in homes throughout Alberta, and now, Saskatchewan.
The word referendum is gaining its own momentum in both provinces as well. The reason: some Alberta and Saskatchewan residents are ready to explore what Quebec sought twice in Canada’s history.
The separation referendum situation arose due to a long-standing irritation felt by Alberta and Saskatchewan residents. In the Wildrose province, the Alberta Prosperity Project already collected in excess of 177,000 signatures, which is the minimum amount for Alberta. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced a referendum will take place in 2026 if there is enough support.
Currently in Saskatchewan, communities are being visited for gatherings organized by the Unified Grass Roots organization. The organization is collecting signatures to hold a referendum in the province, which requires a minimum of 125,000 signatures to do so in Saskatchewan. The movement publicly announced the rationale for a Saskatchewan referendum.
“Since joining Confederation on September 1, 1905, no Saskatchewan government has been able to fully protect the individual freedoms, economic rights, and self-determination of its people due to the persistent imbalance of power between the federal government and the province,” stated the Unified Grass Roots in a public announcement. “Federal overreach has steadily eroded Saskatchewan’s constitutional authority — restricting our industries, interfering in provincial jurisdiction, and suppressing our provincial rights and resources. This growing dysfunction demands a clear, democratic response from the people of Saskatchewan.”
Canada started as a province, not a country. It consisted of a land mass composed of what is known today as Ontario and Quebec. On July 1, 1867, the three regions composed of the Province of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick united to form what is now known as the country of Canada. In 1870, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories were created. In 1898, Yukon was formed and by 1905, Alberta and Saskatchewan became provinces. Nunavut is the youngest territory, which formed in 1999.
All the provinces and territories ultimately united to create the country of Canada, which is also called and known as the Confederation.
Saskatchewan’s Premier Scott Moe answered questions at a press conference in May to address whether members of his caucus held separation sentiments as well. He replied that they did not and expanded on the political aspects and reasons that referendums are held.
“No,” Moe said, “but there are many [members of caucus] that communicate various constituents are telling them and talking to them about the frustration, and really what I call the alienation far too many people in Saskatchewan, as well as other parts of Canada, are feeling. Those feelings of alienation are a response to the [federal] policies that have been put in place over the last number of years. Policies that, as you know in this gallery and this province, this government has opposed every step of the way since I’ve been leader and prior to that under my predecessor. Those feelings of alienation, anger, they shouldn’t be discounted in any way. Those individuals are Canadians and they’re Saskatchewan residents.
“If you’re asking are there caucus members that are feeling frustrated with respect to the — use the example Bill C69,” Premier Moe stated, referencing the federal Impact Assessment Act (Bill C-69), which the Supreme Court of Canada ruled was largely unconstitutional, “and the unconsulted introduction years ago of the carbon tax going to $50 and ‘never going higher’, yet very shortly after that, it goes to $170, and then [the federal government is] musing about it being even higher than that.”
Recent data shows support for a referendum in Saskatchewan and Alberta. In May, the Angus Reid Institute reported that half the residents in both provinces wanted a vote on independence, although only 34 per cent of Saskatchewan respondents (36 per cent in Alberta) would actually support leaving.
“It’s not just in Saskatchewan,” said Moe, “it’s in many other areas of Canada as well and so it’s incumbent on us to chart a path forward that is in, I say, the best interest of Saskatchewan residents, but also certainly the best interests of our province within the Confederation.”
According to the Unified Grass Roots organization, “The purpose of the referendum on Saskatchewan’s Sovereignty is to empower the provincial government to negotiate new terms for Saskatchewan’s relationship whether as part of Canada or as an independent nation.”
The Saskatchewan Premier further acknowledged the fairness in starting discussions about referendums in a democratic country. The voters matter.
“We all need to have our eyes wide open with respect to ‘what does conducting a referendum look like?’ There’s a process for that. We can discuss that process. It’s been here for 40 years in Saskatchewan,” said Moe.
In the 1970’s, Quebec began efforts for separation and held its first referendum in 1980. The second time Quebec sought separation from Canada with a referendum vote was on the eve of Halloween, October 30, 1995. A very narrow margin resulted for the “No” vote from Quebecers wanting to remain a part of Canada, and winning by 50.58 per cent. The results were controversial as many ballots were discarded as spoiled and not counted.
“There’s a number of things The Clarity Act helped to provide with respect to what is a decisive majority [on a vote],” said Moe. “What is a clear question in this type of an environment? And then, what negotiations would be entered into after the fact? There’s RCMP, there’s federal lands, there’s national parks, there’s obviously the Treaty rights that First Nations, Metis and Inuit have across Canada that all have to be respected. I think there’s at a very high level some direction given with respect to how, what, those negotiations would look like should a referendum happen and should a referendum question be successful and should it be the province’s wish to actually attempt to enter into those negotiations to secede.”
The Clarity Act was defined and refined due to the narrow margins of the Quebec separation referendum in 1995. In 2000, The Clarity Act was passed by Canadian Parliament to address and define the parameters for any referendum in Canada where provinces seek their sovereignty. Quebec’s quest for sovereignty is considered a reflection of political tensions and extensive cultural tensions. The document emphasizes the necessity for federal and provincial governments to negotiate in the event of a province or territory seeking sovereignty and independence.
“I would say it’s incumbent on myself as Premier to work with the new Prime Minister,” said Moe. “The same [federal] government, but a new Prime Minister, on making every effort to chart a path forward that is good for Saskatchewan, but also good for Saskatchewan within the nation of Canada. With respect to how and what those negotiations would look like — we’re very early in a conversation.”
The Premier of Saskatchewan stated that there is an opportunity at this time to be recognized, including by the new Prime Minister, for real dialogue and actions to commence to unite Canadians and bring them closer together. He expressed hope for the possibility of unity.
