Some Albertans see referendum as a way to make Ottawa hear the West

Although Alberta’s referendum day is Monday, Richard La Ferriere had already voted before leaving on a family trip to Ottawa. CTV News spoke with him on Parliament Hill. He said he chose Option 2 on Question 10, which would set Alberta on a path toward a binding referendum on separation from Canada.

La Ferriere said he did not choose the option because he wanted Alberta to separate, but to make sure Ottawa was at least listening to the West. He said he initially struggled because he was “born a Canadian,” but concluded that the status quo was not working for Alberta. He said the West is not represented in Ottawa and pointed to the Senate’s 30 seats for Atlantic Canada compared with six for Alberta. Alberta has five million people, he said, while the Maritimes has about 2.5 million. He called the seat distribution unfair and cited equalization as another problem.

His wife, Melody La Ferriere, said she worries that people elsewhere in Canada and the media dismiss Albertans’ grievances. She said Albertans are not “a bunch of hillbillies,” but hardworking Canadians pursuing the Canadian dream. For those who choose Option 2, she hopes the vote sends a message: she hopes they “make a little bit of noise” and perhaps receive different respect.

CTV News also spoke with Barbara Nadon on Parliament Hill. Nadon, who lives in Langley, B.C., was visiting the capital on a girls’ trip. She said she spent 12 years in Alberta and understands the frustration some people there feel, but hopes Albertans will vote to remain in Canada on Monday. She said those who want separation may not have considered its effects on currency, policing, hospitals and other areas. In her view, there are more advantages to staying in Canada and working together to find a solution. Her friend Cindy Lytle, who lives in Saskatoon, agreed that there is a lot of good in remaining in Canada.

If polls are correct and voters turn out, the federalist side is most likely to win Question 10. Albertans will also vote on nine other referendum questions. Questions 6 through 9 concern constitutional matters affecting the Senate, the courts, federal social programs and provincial jurisdiction. None would produce binding decisions, but they could reopen debate on Canada’s Constitution and again raise questions about Alberta’s place in Confederation.

La Ferriere warned that if things do not change, Monday’s referendum could be only the beginning of the push for Alberta separation. He said the idea had been a whisper in Alberta over the past 10 years, but is now a discussion and could become a rallying cry if nothing changes.