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㽶ƵֱThe West Wants Out㽶Ƶֱ: Wexit rallies planned in Alberta as separatist momentum grows

Rallies scheduled in Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer
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Wexit Alberta founder Peter Downing spoke to the dozens who attended a discussion at the Collicutt Centre in Red Deer in August. (File photo by Advocate staff)

Momentum has exploded for the western separatist movement Wexit since the election of the federal Liberal minority government Monday 㽶Ƶֱ bringing with it planned rallies across Alberta, says the group㽶Ƶֱs founder.

Peter Downing said the election was right there for the Conservatives㽶Ƶֱ taking.

㽶ƵֱThey had their last chance. We are launching Wexit candidates. We㽶Ƶֱre going to be registered very soon as a federal separatist bloc. The Reform Party did it in the 㽶Ƶֱ80s and 㽶Ƶֱ90s with the slogan 㽶ƵֱThe West Wants In.㽶Ƶֱ

㽶ƵֱOurs is 㽶ƵֱThe West Wants Out,㽶Ƶֱ㽶Ƶֱ Downing said Tuesday.

Premier Jason Kenney seemed to be aware of the sentiment when he said Alberta voters spoke with 㽶Ƶֱone voice of defiance㽶Ƶֱ when they elected 33 Conservative MPs Monday, handing just one seat to the NDP.

㽶ƵֱThat was a very diverse spectrum of Albertans who sent a message last night. Many of them are saying they don㽶Ƶֱt feel at home in their own country,㽶Ƶֱ said Kenney.

Downing said interest in Wexit blew up after the election results came in. The Facebook page had 230,000 members by Wednesday.

㽶ƵֱWe didn㽶Ƶֱt expect that much this quick. These are regular people. They are looking for somebody to protect their livelihood.

㽶ƵֱThey are ready to separate because they know what a Trudeau minority government means the Trans Mountain pipeline is not getting built.㽶Ƶֱ

In addition to Alberta sovereignty, the Wexit platform includes enhanced economic, military and geo-political co-operation with the United States; delivering essential government services only and ending public investment in unreliable energy technology such as wind and solar.

Downing said Albertans want access to tide water for oil resources and they want the taxes and provincial transfer money that leave Alberta to be reinvested in their province. 

He said the Liberal㽶Ƶֱs carbon tax is going to level Albertans who are already struggling, so the time is now to pressure Kenney to hold a referendum on separation.

㽶ƵֱWe㽶Ƶֱre going to put so much pressure on Premier Jason Kenney to hold a referendum on separation, kick out the RCMP, to unilaterally take control again of firearms, taxation, immigration and payroll deductions 㽶Ƶֱ we㽶Ƶֱre going to do it right now.

㽶ƵֱHe㽶Ƶֱs got a choice to make. Does he want to be the premier of Alberta and fight the way that Albertans deserve, or is he going to give us fairy tales about referendums and equalization that don㽶Ƶֱt mean anything?㽶Ƶֱ

Downing said applications are in the process of being submitted to hold Wexit protests at the provincial legislature and at Calgary City Hall.

Wexit rallies are already scheduled for Nov. 2 in Edmonton, Nov. 16 in Calgary and Nov. 30 in Red Deer.



szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com

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Susan Zielinski

About the Author: Susan Zielinski

Susan has been with the Red Deer Advocate since 2001. Her reporting has focused on education, social and health issues.
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