THE ALBERTA AND THE WEST ASSEMBLY
A Brief Introduction
About one year ago, a small group of concerned westerners, most of us residing in Calgary, banded together around the idea that there would be merit in organizing a democratic “Citizens Assembly”, in the form of an educational video-conference with broad public access, to recognize and address the increasing dissatisfactions of many Western Canadians, especially Albertans, with the state of Canadian federalism and the position of Canada West within the federation.
In particular, the plan was to involve:
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A small number of concerned and thoughtful persons from each of the four western provinces to serve as Delegates to the proposed conference.
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Some of these delegates to also be Advisors with expertise in the legal, constitutional, economic, indigenous interests, and other public policy considerations which the conference might address.
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Respected representatives of the Main Options facing Alberta and the West going forward – in particular in relation to the Alberta October 19th Referendum- to make presentations of those options and to entertain questions from conference delegates and advisors to ascertain the strengths and weaknesses of those options.
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Live streaming of the Assembly proceedings so that members of the general public and media could be both informed by its deliberations and pose questions and alternative suggestions for consideration, the target being to reach an audience of 50,000+ western Canadians.
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An AI guided follow-up session to debate and arrive at recommendations, to be forwarded to members of the western provincial legislatures and governments, as to “the best path forward for Alberta and the West” in the judgment of the Assembly participants.
After consultation with the increasing numbers of persons to be involved, the weekend of September 19-20, 2026, was decided upon as the target date for the Assembly video-conference.
Because of the increasing interest in and relevance of Alberta’s October 19 referendum, it was decide to increase the number of Alberta delegates.. But delegates from the three other western provinces were also invited since many of the western discontents troubling Alberta are shared by those provinces, and because whatever Alberta decides going forward will also affect those provinces.
Livestreaming of the Assembly proceedings is intended to provide members of the public and the media opportunity to observe its deliberations, just as if they were in the public or press galleries of a legislature.
Western Canadians viewing the deliberations of the Assembly via the live streaming of its sessions will have several opportunities to participate and influence the conclusions and recommendations of the Assembly:
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By submitting their questions and comments to the Assembly website, to which responses will be provided.
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By responding to polls and surveys which will be conducted during and after the sessions to secure their views and positions on the Main Options and positions being presented.
The Sept. 19-20 Video-Conference
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Co-chaired by Gordon Campbell and Preston Manning
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With 56 “delegates” from across the west (8 from BC, 10 from Saskatchewan, 8 from Manitoba, and 30 from Alberta) participating virtually – asking questions and making comments.
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Almost 4000 westerners registered for information on the website, albertandthewest.ca, where the video recording of the entire conference can be watched.
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Live steaming of the conference proceedings reached an average of 50,000 viewers across two days.
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Presentations were made by:
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Premier Danielle Smith on “Remain… and Build a Strong and Sovereign Province Within (not separate from) a United Canada”
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Marco Navarro Genie of the Haultain Institute summarizing the positions of groups advocating Remain, Stay, Don’t Leave, etc.– and asking the question “Remain… and Do What?”
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Professor Bruce Pardy and Alberta Lawyer Keith Wilson presenting the Secession Option.
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Stephen Carter opposing the October 19th referendum in its entirety.
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Concluding Inputs from advisors with particular expertise – Jack Mintz (economist), Dwight Newman (constitutional lawyer), Gerard Lucyshyn (regulatory research), Peter Holle (policy institute founder), Tegan Hill (fiscal expertise), Ted Morton (political scientist and former cabinet minister, Ron Wallace (former energy regulator), and Gordon Campbell (former Premier of BC).
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Note: Both the Prime Minster, though his special senior advisor on the Alberta referendum, and the Leader of the Opposition in parliament, were invited to make presentations to the Sept. 19-20 Videoconference, but both declined – without explanation - to do so.
Major Take Aways For Follow Up
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The status quo is unacceptable – strong agreement.
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Decision required as to whether to pursue advancement of the interests of Alberta and the West Incrementally, as in the past, or Disruptively. General feeling that incrementalism is not working.
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Identify the Alberta Culture and values that need greater recognition and expression – recognize our desire to Conserve the best of Canada-past but if necessary, embrace Disruption to achieve the new – Conser-volution.
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Describe for the media and elites of central Canada the unattractive Canada that increasing number of westerners want to leave. E.g. A Canada where ….
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Define an Alberta and the West Vision of a country no one would want to leave, and embody it in new constitutional arrangements - A Canada where……An Alberta where….
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Maximize Alberta and the West’s bargaining leverage with the federal government and ROC
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By the referendum vote on October 19th – what response to Question 10 of the referendum would do so?
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By Uniting the West and strengthening relationships with other Premiers/Provinces.
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Define the practical consequences – impacts on individual Canadians and families – of whatever options are proposed and adopted.
In 200 words or less, if you had to make a recommendation to your provincial legislature today as to “the best path forward” for Alberta and the West, what would that reaccommodation be?
Media Inquiries and Further Information
Media inquiries should be directed to Morten Paulsen of the Paulsen Group – morten@paulsengroup.ca cell 403 399 3377
Further information with respect to the development and status of the Project will be posted periodically on the Project website, albertandthewest.ca
This information will include:
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Progress on the recruitment of representative delegates, advisors, and presenters.
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Refinement and updating the descriptions of the Main Options
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Responses to questions asking for clarifications or more information as received via the Assembly website.
General inquiries concerning the Alberta and the West Assembly Project should be directed to info@albertaandthewest.ca