In one Alberta town, frustration with Ottawa is fuelling separatist support

Kathy Le speaks with residents of Sundre, Alta., about the push for Alberta independence and why some feel the province has been unfairly treated by Ottawa.

SUNDRE, Alta. – Frustration with Ottawa, distrust in the federal Liberal government and anger over energy policies are helping fuel support for Alberta separation in the central Alberta town of Sundre.

CTV News interviewed a handful of residents at Backwoods Bakery and Cafe. Many feel Alberta contributes disproportionately to Canada’s economy while receiving little in return — particularly in regards to oil and gas development, pipelines and federal spending.

“I feel that we as Albertans are getting the short end of the stick,” said Nicci Doyle, who has lived in Sundre for 28 years and owns the cafe.

Support for Alberta independence, once considered a fringe political idea, has gained renewed momentum in recent years amid tensions over climate policy, equalization payments and debates over Alberta’s place within Confederation.

A poll by Leger conducted earlier this month, showed 23 per cent of Albertans were in favour of becoming an independent country.

• Alberta government adds separation-related question to fall referendum

In Sundre, many residents interviewed believe support is significantly higher.

“Within our community itself, I would say it’s higher than that,” said Doyle. “A lot of people are here for it.”

Sundre, located northwest of Calgary, has deep ties to ranching, agriculture, as well as the oil and gas industry — sectors many residents say have faced growing uncertainty in recent years. Much of the frustration voiced by residents centred on Alberta’s role as an energy producer and the perception that federal policies have hurt the province economically.

Tara Bernakevitch believes Alberta’s wealth is unfairly distributed to other parts of the country, while local problems remain unresolved.

“(I’m) really tired of Quebec and every other country getting our money. We have homeless people on the streets everywhere, and yet every other country is getting money,” she said.

Others expressed skepticism about promises tied to a recently announced agreement between Alberta and Ottawa aimed at advancing a possible new oil pipeline to the West Coast.

Clint Rataushk said he doubts the project will ultimately move forward.

“If you read all the fine print, it’s 2027,” he said. “Anything can happen between now and then. Get the pipeline built now. Get it in the ground.”

Rataushk said Alberta would need what he considers fairer treatment within Confederation in order to remain in Canada.

“Equalization would have to stop. The oil and gas need to flow,” he said.

While most people CTV News spoke with support Alberta independence, not everyone in Sundre supports the movement.

Norma Bysterveld, a senior who has lived in Sundre for 81 years, said she worries the debate is creating division within communities.

“I don’t want to separate. I think we’re fine just the way we are,” she said. “I just don’t talk to people about it. They get mad or I get mad.”

At another cafe in town, Patti Calvert connected her support for sovereignty to frustrations that intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The vaccine mandates. I would like to have sovereignty over my own body,” she said.

Calvert said some Albertans are hesitant to publicly support separation because they fear backlash.

“I think people want change,” she said.

“There was a lot more people that would want to sign, but they were scared. So that tells me that our country is fearmongering its own citizens,” she said.

The debate over Alberta independence has intensified in recent months following renewed calls for a referendum and ongoing legal battles surrounding separatist petitions.

A judge recently quashed a proposed citizen-led separation petition by Stay Free Alberta, ruling the province failed to adequately consult First Nations.

But Premier Danielle Smith announced Thursday Albertans will vote this fall on whether the province should begin the legal process toward a future binding referendum on separation from Canada.

Smith has said she personally supports Alberta remaining in Canada, but argues Albertans deserve the opportunity to have their voices heard on the issue.