The federal Conservative party has initiated a campaign to mobilize their supporters and urge them to vote in favor of remaining in Canada during the upcoming Alberta referendum on October 19. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre emphasized the importance of unity and highlighted that the issue lies not with Canada, but with the current Liberal government during a speech in Calgary. MP Dane Lloyd has been appointed as the lead for the pro-unity campaign, stressing the need for change while reaffirming that the real challenge is not with the country itself.
Despite recent positive actions by the Liberal government, such as canceling the consumer carbon price and engaging in resource development agreements, Albertans still feel overlooked and undervalued by federal authorities. Lloyd noted that although many Albertans consider themselves patriotic Canadians, they are dissatisfied with the historical treatment of their province by past governments, except during Stephen Harper’s Conservative administration.
In response to the referendum, the government has appointed a senior adviser to coordinate federal efforts in Alberta. Polls indicate strong support for remaining in Canada among Albertans, with some groups advocating for leveraging a yes vote to influence Ottawa. Notably, separatism appears more prevalent among right-wing supporters, including a significant portion from the United Conservative Party led by Premier Danielle Smith.
The Conservatives have launched a campaign website ahead of the vote, aiming to engage the 1.4 million Albertans who voted Conservative in the previous election. With high anticipated turnout for the referendum, the campaign focuses on grassroots efforts within Elections Alberta guidelines, offering resources for voting, volunteering, and donations on the website.
