Now is the time to fix Confederation’s flaws

Kenney and Trudeau have it all wrong with unity at stake,

When it comes to the issue of returning Canada to a constitutional order, which promotes prosperity, neither the Trudeau federal government nor the Kenney Alberta government are getting it right.

Trudeau refuses to see the truth: his stance on these issues has broken Confederation. His cynical use of regional identity politics and his approach to the courts on constitutional issues has created a national unity crisis. The truth is, Canada, as we know it, is at risk.

Alberta has contributed more to the coffers of the rest of Canada than any other subnational region has contributed to its national government anywhere in the world. Ever.

Through their federal taxes, Albertans contribute over $20 billion more per year to Ottawa than they get back in transfers or services. Canadians ignore the fact that oil and gas production and support is Canada’s secondlargest industry in dollar terms and the largest when it comes to paying federal taxes. Albertans and Alberta companies indirectly fund government services in most other provinces.

Governments of all levels across Canada have recently launched unprecedented attacks against Alberta’s industries and livelihoods and Albertans are angry.

Most Albertans feel exploited by Canada. They resent being treated like a colony in their own country. Because of this, the risk of Alberta separatism is real.

The treatment of the energy industry and its impact on jobs has changed the psyche of Albertans. At the same time, agriculture, Alberta’s second-largest industry, has been hammered by three very poor years. A people who feel insulted, unvalued and exploited will consider options that just a few years ago were unthinkable.

The risk of Alberta separating may not be immediate — Alberta would not vote to separate today. But there is a real risk of Alberta getting pushed out of Confederation. One or two more setbacks and Alberta separatism will move into “winning conditions” territory.

Kenney is not acknowledging this. He has made it clear that while he understands the frustrations of regular Albertans, he is a Canadian nationalist and will always remain so. Kenney’s usually excellent political radar has failed him, as this line of thinking doesn’t match the feelings of many Albertans. It is also a poor bargaining position. He has surrendered his most important bargaining chip and the elites who run Canada have noticed.

Most Albertans still love Canada. They believe it can be fixed. But that love is not unconditional. Albertans recognize the marriage between Alberta and the rest of Canada is deeply troubled. Most Albertans know fixing a troubled marriage takes work.

They also know not all marriages can be saved. A marriage becomes unsalvageable when one side completely stops caring about the other side’s feelings, interests and needs.

Albertans want a “Let’s fix Canada but if we can’t fix Canada we may have to leave” Party. Kenney is offering them a “Let’s fix Canada but I won’t ever leave” Party. His position invites the rest of Canada to not take him seriously and it runs the risk of becoming very offside with Albertans.

Despite his formidable political skills, Kenney should be concerned about the consequences of any setbacks. Another adverse court decision, cynical politics from the minority Liberals, the Americans giving up on Keystone XL or stalling the Line 3 upgrade, or even the selection of a federal Conservative leader less sympathetic to Alberta — any one of these things can give separatist sentiment a huge boost. Kenney needs to consider these risks.

The premier should be doing everything in his power to immediately force open the Constitution. Constitutional discussions are never fun, but they have never been more necessary. Kenney should launch a variety of Supreme Court challenges and ask for a Supreme Court reference on whether the principles behind the “terms of union,” which led to Confederation, apply to provinces created after 1867.

Kenney should make it clear to the rest of Canada that even if he is a Canadian nationalist, many Albertans won’t stay in an abusive relationship.

There are currently seven small “c” conservative premiers and the prime minister is in a minority position. There will never be a better time to press to fix Canada than the present.