Nearly 400 people gathered to hear speakers from the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP), which is a separatist movement currently campaigning across the province.
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The group wants to see Alberta become more self-governing, and possibly independent from Canada.
The event, held at the Lloyd Ex’s Nissan Hall on May 22, featured presentations by APP president Dr. Dennis Modry and spokesperson Tanner Hnidey, as well as APP CEO Mitch Sylvestor.
Speakers shared beliefs on Alberta’s need to make significant changes to protect its future.
“The purpose of the Alberta Prosperity Project is to educate, unite and activate,” said Modry to the crowd. “To create the most free and prosperous Alberta for generations to come.”
The room was packed with people who clapped and cheered during the over two-hour event.
Many nodded along as speakers criticized federal policies, taxes and control over Alberta’s resources.
Hnidey spoke about how Alberta’s wealth is being lost.
“Because of equalization and because of the way the federal government treats us, that wealth gets siphoned off,” he said.
He said Alberta is being treated unfairly.
“In their view, Alberta is a colony,” said Hnidey.
The event focused on big-picture ideas as well as policy details. Although they don’t have a publicly available constitution yet, Modry stressed the importance of public support.
“You cannot rely on politicians to solve this problem,” he said. “Only the people can.”
At the back of the hall, a small group of protestors held signs and said they didn’t want Alberta to leave Canada. They raised concerns about the health act, the destabilized economy and Indigenous rights issues.
Meanwhile, they also wanted to know what would happen to people who refused to leave but also declined to be an Alberta nationalist. They stood near the back of the gathering and remained peaceful.
Modry said peaceful disagreement is part of democracy. He encouraged people to learn more and form their own opinions.
Hnidey talked about the need for Albertans to control their own future.
“We have to look at how do we keep more of that wealth here,” he said. “How do we structure the agreements and the laws that keep our wealth working for us.”
He pointed out that Alberta is a landlocked province in Canada. That makes it harder to get full value for its oil and gas. Getting access to tide-waters would be important going forward, regardless of the result of any possible vote.
“We don’t get market prices for our oil,” he said. “We don’t get market prices for our gas.”
The Alberta Prosperity Project says it wants to build a movement through education. It plans to keep holding events across the province.
Modry said the goal is not to divide people, but to unite them around a better future.
“We will make Alberta free and prosperous,” he said. “We will make Alberta powerful and protected.”
The evening ended with a question period. A bunch of pails were also passed around to help fundraise for the cause.
The APP says it will continue pushing for change through public support. Speakers urged people to talk to their neighbours, attend events and stay involved.
“Nothing changes,” Modry said. “Unless the people make it change.”
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