Today I Saved Canada. You're Welcome.

What did you do today, Debra She Who Seeks?

I voted in Alberta's Referendum of Ten Bullshit Questions posed by our Maple MAGA provincial government.

Am I correct in detecting annoyance on your part?

Yes, you most certainly are correct. This entire Referendum is a stupid exercise in wasting taxpayer dollars to appease the far-right wing of the United Conservative Party of Alberta so its reigning political dynasty won't blow apart at the seams and split the conservative vote.

I assume you voted for Alberta to remain part of Canada?

Of course I did! The far-right fringe wants an "independent Alberta" so they can get rid of pesky Canadian things like the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, any advances made by minorities, treaties with indigenous people, immigration by anyone who isn't white and, oh yes, the rule of law. They want to "Make Alberta Great Again" and we all know what that means, don't we?

Are you worried about the outcome of the Referendum on remaining in Canada?

No, I'm not worried in the slightest. I'm confident that Albertans will vote overwhelmingly against separation because, although they are (it is true) a largely conservative bunch, they're not total idiots. Any child can see why it's better to remain a part of the Canadian Confederation, particularly now with a threatening and unstable American government to the south of us.

But what's up with those OTHER nine Referendum questions?

"The Nine" are all predicated on Alberta remaining a province of Canada and are the real purpose of holding the Referendum. The provincial government wants a "yes" vote on all of those questions in order to endorse its planned Maple MAGA government policies in areas like immigration, constitutional powers, and legal issues around voting, appointment of judges, social programs, healthcare, etc. However, many of these issues are under clear federal jurisdiction, not provincial, so cannot realistically be achieved.

So why seek voters' endorsement of unachievable policies?

Because our provincial government wants (and needs) a Big Stick To Beat Ottawa With. That's how a succession of Conservative governments under various party names have historically stayed in power in Alberta for generations and decades. So long as they can keep portraying the Federal Government as Alberta's implacable enemy who is Keeping Our Province Down, their dynastic rule remains intact. For some unfathomable reason, Albertans continually lap up the politics of resentment and grievance like it's mother's milk. They are unique in Canada in this regard. Other provinces routinely and regularly change which political parties are given power. Not Alberta.

 I assume you voted "No to the Nine" across the board?

You bet I did! But I do think the provincial government will get the endorsement they want on some of the policies because Albertans are, well, Albertans. Those of us who voted "No to the Nine" are just trying to keep that Stick To Beat Ottawa With as slender as possible, hoping for dynastic change.