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02/20/2003 Archived Entry: "Ralph Klein"

KLEIN TRIES THE "SUBTLE HINT" APPROACH: From today's National Post:

EDMONTON - Ralph Klein says Alberta separation is not on the agenda "right now," but warned it will probably be raised at the provincial Tory party's convention in March.

The issue of separation arose this week during the government's Throne Speech in which it asserted that Alberta's ability to be a partner in Canada is compromised by the federal government.

The Premier insisted he is not in favour of separation but said there is a small but growing number of Albertans who are.

"Based on just the letters I get and so on? Yes, and it's scary," Mr. Klein said yesterday.

"But I can understand the frustration of Albertans over Kyoto, health care, gun registration, the Canadian Wheat Board, Senate reform, the list goes on.

"I wasn't talking about separation at all [in the Throne Speech]. Turn that around and put it the other way, we want to be part of the Canadian family."

Mr. Klein added, "But we're saying, and the Throne Speech was quite clear, Alberta's ability to be a partner is compromised by the current federal government.

"We do believe the federal government's unilateral approach to a number of issues is undermining a united Canada, and is underminig the interests of this province.

"I don't want this to be construed as a threat of separation, because separation is not on the table for discussion. Not right now."

Mr. Klein acknowledged, however, it will likely be brought up at the Tory convention. "But it's not on this table right now," he said.

"But it might be, that's what I'm saying, and it might be at the party convention. It simply puts the federal government on notice that the Alberta government intends to strongly defend our interests.

"We want to be a strong member of Confederation. And I think most Albertans, not all, share that opinion." (snip)

Gosh, is Ralph threatening us elitist central Canadians with the spectre of rising Albertan separatism (a movement which of course, would be out of his hands) unless we conform to a more Alberta view of things or just let them keep more of their goodies? Well, if a rise in seperatism is predicated on who gets shafted the most in the Canadian confederation, our pampered Quebecers would be breaking out into spontaneous choruses of "O Canada" everyday, while I'd be out on the street waving signs reading "Vive le Toronto libre!" and banging the drum for turning our fair city into Singapore North. A Newfoundland-born, Toronto-based conservative like David Janes was begging Albertans to raise the separatism threat several weeks ago in order to force The Permanent-Ruling Party to shape up, while a reactionary such as Kevin Michael Grace was not so subtly telling Stephen Harper to abandon the dream of sitting in the PM's office in favour of leading a party which "would fight like a terrier to prevent Ottawa from raping Alberta again. And, if necessary, he would take Alberta out of Canada." Both are under the delusion that a: Conservatism of any strong sort is actually appealing to Canadians on a national level. b: that the Quebec City/Windsor junta which rule this country will regard Alberta seperatism as more than just another one of Ralph Klein's more hazy, alcohol-induced mirages. That's unfortunately also the sentiment on the street here in Toronto. Hey Albertans, if you're feeling like you're being unfairly picked on by the federal government, well, get in line. Grumbling about Ottawa and threats of separation are two of the things that unite all Canadians.