Alberta's primary hate-crimes monitoring organization, StopHateAB, has formally received a complaint stemming from controversial statements made about immigrants during a recent town hall event hosted by the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP). The complaint targets remarks delivered by APP CEO Mitch Sylvestre at the January 7 gathering in Didsbury, Alberta.
Complaint Alleges Inflammatory Rhetoric at Separatist Event
The complainant, whose identity is protected under StopHateAB's confidentiality protocols, alleges that Sylvestre made several inflammatory statements during the town hall at the Didsbury Memorial Complex. The venue is located approximately 233 kilometers south of Edmonton and 80 kilometers north of downtown Calgary.
According to the complaint, Sylvestre's comments included assertions about white Albertans being "replaced" by immigrants. The complainant also reported that Sylvestre suggested Christianity would soon be criminalized in Canada and that white Albertans should not feel compelled to apologize for their identity.
These remarks were made in the context of the APP's province-wide campaign to gather signatures for a petition that could force a referendum on Alberta independence. The group requires 177,000 verified signatures to trigger such a vote, although the petition faces legal challenges from Indigenous groups who argue it disregards Treaty rights.
Watchdog Monitoring, But No Formal Investigation Yet
In response to the complaint, StopHateAB President Sunpreet Singh Johal stated that while a formal investigation into the Didsbury event has not been launched, the organization is closely observing the Alberta Prosperity Project's activities.
"We are closely monitoring any further reports related to Alberta Prosperity Project town halls that may come in, and we have taken the necessary steps to bring this information to the attention of our partners," Johal said.
This stance indicates a proactive but cautious approach by the watchdog, prioritizing documentation and partnership alerts over immediate formal proceedings.
Verified Footage Reveals Context of Controversial Claims
Postmedia journalists have reviewed video footage from the January 7 meeting, confirming that both Sylvestre and APP lawyer Jeffrey Rath addressed themes of race, immigration, and their vision for an independent Alberta.
Approximately 28 minutes into his address, Sylvestre attributed a fabricated quote to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, claiming Trudeau said: "The very concept of a nation founded by European settlers is offensive to me. Old stock white Canadians are an unpleasant relic and, quite frankly, replaceable. And we will replace them."
Multiple internet fact-checking organizations have identified this statement as a widely circulated meme with no basis in reality. There is no credible evidence or recorded instance of Trudeau ever making such a remark.
Sylvestre used this false premise to frame his subsequent comments, telling the audience, "Old stock white Canadians, and that’s us, and we don’t have to apologize for this room being filled with white people. This used to be what Alberta was. We’re not apologizing for being ourselves."
This incident highlights the intersection of separatist politics and contentious social rhetoric in Alberta. It raises questions about the tone of discourse in the APP's campaign, which continues to host town halls across the province while navigating significant legal hurdles and increasing scrutiny from civil society watchdogs.
