In Alberta, the persistent hope for political change in Ottawa is often what leads to the deepest disappointment. According to a recent analysis, this cycle of raised and dashed expectations is the true engine behind the province's growing separatist sentiment, more so than a simple distrust of the Liberal Party.
The Weight of Broken Promises and Historical Mistrust
The distrust of the federal Liberals in Alberta runs deep, with roots stretching back over a century. The columnist points to a notorious 1921 scandal where the Liberals, ahead of a provincial election, allegedly promised telephone service to rural areas but merely dumped wooden poles in towns as a symbolic gesture. The revelation of this act helped propel the United Farmers of Alberta to victory and has contributed to the Liberals being shut out of Alberta in provincial and federal elections ever since.
This historical context adds a layer of skepticism to recent agreements. The piece suggests Premier Danielle Smith must hope that the memorandum of understanding on future energy development she signed with Prime Minister Mark Carney on November 27, 2025, is not a modern rehash of that old telephone pole debacle.
The Real Driver: Frustration with Federal Conservative Failures
While Liberal policies are unpopular, the argument posits that Alberta would have separated long ago if animosity towards Ottawa were solely based on that. The more potent source of alienation and humiliation is the repeated failure of the federal Conservative Party to secure victory nationally, despite overwhelming support from Alberta voters.
Albertans consistently turn out in large numbers to elect Conservative MPs, doing their part to try and end Liberal governments. However, when the national party "messes up" and fails to form government, the province's efforts feel wasted. This cycle of loyalty followed by national defeat breeds intense frustration.
From Frustration to Risky Calculations
That prolonged frustration can turn into desperation, the analysis warns. Desperation, in turn, can lead to risky political calculations. This includes the challenging idea that a landlocked province can negotiate favorable terms for its resources with surrounding powers without significant compromise.
The political mood has shifted notably in a year. Twelve months ago, talk of separation was quieter, as many Albertans were convinced the Justin Trudeau government was nearing its end. The expectation was that the federal Conservatives would form a majority government in 2025, finally providing relief from federal laws and regulations perceived as handcuffing Alberta's development of its constitutionally-owned natural resources.
The implication is clear: with that hope for a federal Conservative victory potentially in doubt, Premier Smith was left with little choice but to pursue direct negotiations, like the MOU with Prime Minister Carney, to secure Alberta's economic interests. The piece frames this not as a first choice, but as a necessary move born from a long history of political letdowns at the federal level.
