Grey Matter Podcast with host Leighton Grey
Guests Professor Bruce Pardy, Mitch Sylvestre and Dr. Dennis Modry of the Alberta Prosperity Project, and broadcast producer Michael Klassen.
The Canada in our imaginary: “I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge shall uphold for myself and all mankind.” [John Diefenbaker]. “The aspiration that I have heard from Albertans mirrors that statement…from Diefenbaker. That’s the kind of land they want to live in. That’s the kind of province they want to live in. It’s the kind of country they want to live in. But that is not the Canada they live in right now.” [Prof. Pardy]
A fascinating discussion exploring the challenges and ideological considerations surrounding Alberta’s potential independence, including negotiating the terms of secession in the event of a successful referendum. A key point raised is the necessity of clearly defining what freedom for Alberta means. Prof. Pardy argues that while many attribute Alberta’s issues to “bad” federal policies, the problems run deeper, rooted in the Canadian character and the structure of the country’s government (problems that also need to be excised from Alberta). Quoting Lawrence Solomon, he notes that Canada, in reality, operates more like a system of “grifts,” where provinces joined Confederation not for a noble vision but to receive federal subsidies.