Canada’s survival depends on treating Alberta fairly

Meeting Alberta’s legitimate needs would not impose a burden on Canada. To the contrary, writes Joe Oliver, it would encourage growth, productivity, energy independence and strengthen national unit. Photo by Vincent McDermott/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia files

The federal government has a challenging list of priorities, none more challenging or important than national unity, especially Alberta’s role in Confederation . Western alienation has been growing since 2015, the result of federal incursions into provincial jurisdiction and Justin Trudeau’s hostility to natural resources. In a Leger poll in May, 47 per cent of Albertans said they favoured separation , while fully 55 per cent of Canadians said they understood Alberta’s desire for independence.

Even though Central Canada