Opinion writer Norman Wiebe says no matter who wins the election it’s time for the Republic of Alberta

For a Freer Alberta

I continually hear a lot of talk concerning vote splitting during this Federal election campaign. This problem is one we’ve faced before and yes, suffered from. Do you vote your principles and values, or do you vote for the blue jersey regardless of what it’s become.

We destroyed the federal PC party once before when we turned Reform in Western Canada. We voted our principles and against corruption. We struggled with the fact that the good guys who stood on principles couldn’t seem to win in our federal electoral system, so compromises were made, a merger was done, and then we conservatives got our win.

After a CPC victory federally, we learned that it didn’t really help Albertans much anyway because even the most accomplished and intelligent politician couldn’t achieve the kind of changes required to free Alberta.

It seems to me that the dollars that flow through Federal transfers to eastern jurisdictions are a vital part of the vote buying process, and no one appears to be willing to risk messing around with that.

This process of transferring vast sums of wealth from one region to another is what helps every party to increase their chances of staying in power. If enough dollars are directed to those eastern jurisdictions, then possibly those votes are inclined your way, and this is what works against Alberta.

Ottawa takes from us no matter what party sits at the helm, and redistributes our wealth to buy votes for the next election. Some federal governments are less bad than others, but no matter what, Albertans are plundered by them all.

The concept of creating a new nation in Alberta is not new. Decades have passed since the last time we had a Trudeau aggressively attacking our economy, and in my opinion, this time must be the last. We have been robbed to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars, denied our rights to move our products to market, and little will change under the current system of government.

We might get a pipeline built, and some small amount of relief, but the plunder will continue unabated. It’s certainly far worse under a Trudeau, but no matter who is PM, Albertans are often collateral damage to the political parties seeking favor from eastern jurisdictions.

So is the solution to not vote split and simply endure a less awful situation, or vote your principles and risk a really awful result. I guess I have always made the choice of hope over fear, of principle over compromise, but now I see only one choice.

I think it’s time we dispose of always choosing the lesser of two evils. I believe it’s time we chart our own course, take control of our own destiny and create a new nation that will be a shining example of how things can be done the right way.

We can shed the bad choices of future Canadian federal elections, and make something new. A government that is accountable and responsible. That is closer to the people it serves and follows the guidelines laid out by the peoples constitution.

A constitution that would guarantee our rights as individuals, as equals, protect the people and our property. Not a constitution that would rob from those with no political power, or discriminate based on your DNA.

We can establish a modern state that would be the envy of the world. Free markets, free trade, and a strong economy. A place where competition is the norm, monopolies and corruption are not given opportunity or support. Where transparency of government is a given, and politicians are held to a higher standard, not given a free pass.

Where freedom and liberty are core values not to be tampered with. Where charity and generosity are truly virtuous, and not seedy tools of corrupt government officials. Where merit is rewarded and cronyism crushed.

This is easily within the reach of Alberta, and our friends and neighboring provinces if they wish to join us. The only thing it requires is the will of the people to shed the fears and doubts our detractors constantly push. To ignore the anger of those who stand to lose access to our wallets, and those who imply we are property, and have no right to self determination.

I say it’s time for us Albertans to do the right thing, to create a new nation; not only for us, but for our children and future generations to come.

Norm Wiebe is a Financial Advisor and political policy enthusiast. He and his wife Lera, live in Red Deer with their two children. Norm uses facebook to promote ideas, so look for him there. https://www.facebook.com/norman.wiebe

Related Topics:feature Norman Wiebe Republic of Alberta visionCanada2119

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Norman Wiebe

Norm Wiebe is a local Financial Advisor and political policy enthusiast. He and his wife Lera, live in Red Deer with their two children. Norm uses facebook to promote ideas, so look for him there. https://www.facebook.com/norman.wiebe

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Alberta

Petition threatens independent school funding in Alberta

Published on October 26, 2025

Todayville

From the Fraser Institute

By Paige MacPherson

Recently, amid the backdrop of a teacher strike, an Alberta high school teacher began collecting signatures for a petition to end government funding of independent schools in the province. If she gets enough people to sign—10 per cent of the number of Albertans who voted in the last provincial election—Elections Alberta will consider launching a referendum about the issue.

In other words, the critical funding many Alberta families rely on for their children’s educational needs may be in jeopardy.

In Alberta, the provincial government partially funds independent schools and charter schools. The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA), whose members are currently on strike, opposes government funding of independent and charter schools.

But kids are not one-size-fits-all, and schools should reflect that reality, particularly in light of today’s increasing classroom complexity where different kids have different needs. Unlike government-run public schools, independent schools and charter schools have the flexibility to innovate and find creative ways to help students thrive.

And things aren’t going very well for all kids or teachers in government-run pubic school classrooms. According to the ATA, 93 per cent of teachers report encountering some form of aggression or violence at school, most often from students. Additionally, 85 per cent of unionized teachers face an increase in cognitive, social/emotional and behavioural issues in their classrooms. In 2020, one-quarter of students in Edmonton’s government-run public schools were just learning English, and immigration to Canada—and Alberta especially—has exploded since then. It’s not easy to teach a classroom of kids where a significant proportion do not speak English, many have learning disabilities or exceptional needs, and a few have severe behavioural problems.

Not surprisingly, demand for independent schools in Alberta is growing because many of these schools are designed for students with special needs, Autism, severe learning disabilities and ADHD. Some independent schools cater to students just learning English while others offer cultural focuses, expanded outdoor time, gifted learning and much more.

Which takes us back to the new petition—yet the latest attempt to defund independent schools in Alberta.

Wealthy families will always have school choice. But if the Alberta government wants low-income and middle-class kids to have the ability to access schools that fit them, too, it’s crucial to maintain—or better yet, increase—its support for independent and charter schools.

Consider a fictional Alberta family: the Millers. Their daughter, Lucy, is struggling at her local government-run public school. Her reading is below grade level and she’s being bullied. It’s affecting her self-esteem, her sleep and her overall wellbeing. The Millers pay their taxes. They don’t take vacations, they rent, and they haven’t upgraded their cars in many years. They can’t afford to pay full tuition for Lucy to attend an independent school that offers the approach to education she needs to succeed. However, because the Alberta government partially funds independent schools—which essentially means a portion of the Miller family’s tax dollars follow Lucy to the school of their choice—they’re able to afford the tuition.

The familiar refrain from opponents is that taxpayers shouldn’t pay for independent school tuition. But in fact, if you’re concerned about taxpayers, you should encourage school choice. If Lucy attends a government-run public school, taxpayers pay 100 per cent of her education costs. But if she attends an independent or charter school, taxpayers only pay a portion of the costs while her parents pay the rest. That’s why research shows that school choice saves tax dollars.

If you’re a parent with a child in a government-run public school in Alberta, you now must deal with another teacher strike. If you have a child in an independent or charter school, however, it’s business as usual. If Albertans are ever asked to vote on whether or not to end government funding for independent schools, they should remember that students are the most important stakeholder in education. And providing parents more choices in education is the solution, not the problem.

Paige MacPherson

Associate Director, Education Policy, Fraser Institute

Alberta

Alberta introduces bill allowing province to reject international agreements

Published on October 25, 2025

Todayville

From LifeSiteNews

By Anthony Murdoch

Under the proposed law, international treaties or accords signed by the federal government would not apply in Alberta unless approved through its own legislation.

Alberta’s Conservative government introduced a new law to protect “constitutional rights” that would allow it to essentially ignore International Agreements, including those by the World Health Organization (WHO), signed by the federal Liberal government.

The new law, Bill 1, titled International Agreements Act and introduced Thursday, according to the government, “draws a clear line: international agreements that touch on provincial areas of jurisdiction must be debated and passed into law in Alberta.”

Should the law pass, which is all but certain as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s Conservatives hold a majority government, it would mean that any international treaties or accords signed by the federal government would not apply in Alberta unless approved through its own legislation.

“As we return to the legislature, our government is focused on delivering on the mandate Albertans gave us in 2023 to stand up for this province, protect our freedoms and chart our path forward,” Smith said.

“We will defend our constitutional rights, protect our province’s interests and make sure decisions that affect Albertans are made by Albertans. The federal government stands at a crossroads. Work with us, and we’ll get things done. Overstep, and Alberta will stand its ground.”

According to the Alberta government, while the feds have the “power to enter into international agreements on behalf of Canada,” it “does not” have the “legal authority to impose its terms on provinces.”

“The International Agreements Act reinforces that principle, ensuring Alberta is not bound by obligations negotiated in Ottawa that do not align with provincial priorities,” the province said.

The new Alberta law is not without precedent. In 2000, the province of Quebec passed a similar law, allowing it to ignore international agreements unless approved by local legislators.