Manifesto by four MPS shows another sign of division in Canada, Moe says

A manifesto released this week by four Conservative MPS from Alberta provides another indication of ongoing frustration with the federal Liberal government, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says.

Moe told reporters in Saskatoon Friday that he had not yet read the complete Buffalo Declaration released Thursday evening, but pointed to federal policies that have hindered the resource-based economy in Western Canada.

The declaration warns about western alienation and separatist sentiments and calls for addressing a perceived inequality in Canada for western provinces, particularly Alberta.

“Again, it speaks to the frustration that we are seeing in Western Canada with a number of policies that are coming out of our federal government over the course of the last four years,” Moe said.

Moe pointed to the results of last year’s federal election in which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s governing Liberals were reduced to a minority in Parliament, with no MPS in Saskatchewan or Alberta.

The 13-page Buffalo Declaration was signed by Conservative MPS Michelle Rempel Garner, Arnold Viersen, Blake Richards and Glen

Motz. The manifesto says separation may loom as the only recourse for Alberta.

Buffalo was the name proposed more than a century ago for a province that would have included the territory now covered by Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Moe has been perhaps the most vocal critic of the federal government’s carbon tax and he expressed optimism about ongoing court battles against the tax.

“So we have great divisions in this nation,” Moe said.

Moe called on the premiers and the prime minister to work together. He cited an example of unity this week with the prime minister calling for the removal of rail blockades in support of Indigenous leaders opposed to a gas pipeline project in British Columbia.

The call by Trudeau came Friday after a meeting by phone with premiers Thursday night. Moe praised Trudeau’s call for the barricades’ removal.

“Notwithstanding that, there are great divisions in this country that we need to continue to work on.”

LIAM RICHARDS Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe spoke at the provincial cabinet office in Saskatoon on Friday. He said he had not yet read a declaration released by four Alberta MPS this week.