The federal Conservative party has initiated a drive to involve their backers and urge them to vote for continued unity with Canada in the upcoming Alberta referendum scheduled for October 19.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, in a speech given in Calgary this summer, emphasized the importance of Albertans staying united and highlighted that separatists’ grievances lie more with the current Liberal government than with Canada itself.
Dane Lloyd, Member of Parliament for the Edmonton area, has been appointed as the lead for the campaign supporting the decision to remain within Canada. Lloyd stressed the need for change in the status quo while reinforcing that the issue is not with the country but with government policies.
Despite recent gestures by the Liberal government, including canceling the consumer carbon price and collaborating with Alberta on resource development, Lloyd noted that many Albertans still feel unheard and their values disregarded by federal authorities.
The Conservative movement aims to leverage the strong sense of national pride prevailing across the nation due to ongoing trade disputes with the United States. The government has appointed Morgan Breitkreutz as a senior adviser to coordinate the federal response to the Alberta referendum.
Polls indicate that a significant majority of Albertans wish to remain part of Canada. Advocates pushing for the referendum process argue that a positive vote could provide negotiating power with Ottawa. Separatism appears to be more prevalent among right-wing factions, with substantial support coming from backers of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party.
The Conservative campaign, led by Poilievre, has launched a website and social media statement to bolster its efforts ahead of the referendum. With high anticipated voter turnout, Alberta’s election agency has seen a surge in requests for mail-in ballots, potentially leading to record-breaking participation.
The grassroots campaign, in compliance with Elections Alberta regulations, focuses on engaging Conservative voters from the previous election to ensure a robust turnout for a united Alberta within Canada. The campaign website offers resources on voting procedures, volunteering, and donation opportunities.