The Gauntlet Editorial Board endorses a United Canada

Albertans will head to the polls on Oct. 19 to vote on 10 referendum questions, with the 10th question asking if Albertans should “commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada.”

Ultimately, this referendum poses a very existential question on the future of our nation; it threatens to pull us into the ultimate uncertainty. At our doorstep we find a U.S. administration that is determined by any means necessary to make us a vassal of American imperialism, global economic insecurity and a new great power struggle arising.

Which is why, the Gauntlet Editorial board speaks to you, our readers, with one voice to ask you to vote “option one” on question 10 and to vote “No” on the remaining nine referendum questions.

Recent polling completed by Janet Brown Opinions Research shows that only 23 per cent would vote to begin the legal process to hold a binding referendum to leave Canada, while 72 per cent said they would vote to remain in Canada.

Public polling has remained consistent throughout, but polling can only mean so much if we do not vote. Without our voice being heard,this will all be for nothing and we will have lost our country.

Throughout our October issue of the Gauntlet, you will hear what this referendum will mean for everyone, from research and the arts to sports, this will affect every facet of life in this province.

It is vital to remember that while eyes are (rightfully) on the sights on the tenth referendum question, there are still nine more non-separation questions before that.

These questions are just as important, as they still shape the very relationship we have with Canada and the federal government.

The eighth question asks voters “Do you support the Government of Alberta working with the governments of other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution to allow provinces to opt out of federal programs that intrude on provincial jurisdiction such as health care, education, and social services, without a province losing any of the associated federal funding for use in its social programs?”

This presents a very challenging and concerning prospect. Should this referendum question pass, it poses the risk of us to our social programs, from education to healthcare.It is the strength of our nation (particularly with healthcare) that we stand with the ability to provide unitary services.

Is it a perfect system by any means? No, but it is built on a promise that all that are a part of our nation should be able to get the same level of care from coast to coast to coast.

There are also questions on the role of the Senate and the judiciary, asking to abolish the senate (question seven) and give the ability to appoint judges (question six) to the King’s Bench to the provincial government.

These questions give way to attempts to fundamentally change our parliamentary democracy. Alberta calls for the abolishment of the chamber of “sober second thought.” When it calls for the ability to appoint their own judges to the King’s Court, it brings new questions of how judges will be politicized by the government of the day provincially.

There is, of course, the questions on immigration (questions one through four), which looks to scapegoat an entire population of those who call Alberta their home, just to fulfill some political game for the problems of our social programs that have been brewing because of this government.

Question nine challenges the federal government’s ability to serve Albertans and Canadians, asking for more control being given to the provincial government.

These constitutional questions still remain up in the air even once the vote is decided, as it still requires votes in both houses of the federal parliament and at least seven provinces that make up 50 per cent

There is, of course, question five: asking if we as Albertans support a law that will make it harder for Albertans to vote in their local elections.You cannot help but wonder what would cause such a reaction? Are our elections not secure? The greatest insecurity our elections officials have faced in recent memory was when separatists got their hands on a list of electors, with all their private data for theirs to hold.

So the question remains, how are we really needing to protect our elections from?

Ultimately, and most importantly, there is a question on whether or not this government and this premier even has the mandate to call this referendum in the first place. When we were sent to the polls to vote in 2023, regardless of how we voted, this was not written down in any party manifesto. It was not pledged to by party leadership. This decision was made by the Premier and the government, suddenly, in the hopes of pleasing their political base.

Here we stand, as a province, and as a nation, at a crossroads, and the question we must ask ourselves is: when you find yourself alone in that polling booth, will you be able to sleep at night with the decision you made?

This is a question for us and us alone. This referendum will shape the way we move forward as a nation.

We consistently hear, in our lifetimes, that whatever election we have coming up will be the most consequential election. However, this one remains the most consequential. It will fundamentally change our way of life.

This is your opportunity to make sure your voice is heard, that your future is secured. On Oct. 19, vote for a united Canada by voting for option one and vote no on the nine questions. We beg of you, do not sit on the sidelines.

Please check out the digital coverage of our referendum issue!