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No Other Option: Self-Determination for Alberta
Alberta is at a crossroads. On the one hand, it can remain within Canada and have major decisions about its economic future and well-being decided by politicians elected somewhere else - in Central Canada. Or, it can choose a path of self-determination whereby all decisions about its future are made by Albertans themselves. As history clearly demonstrates, the first option comes with negative economic consequences from policies designed to cater to voters in places like Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. Only the second option - the one recommended in this book - offers Albertans an opportunity to choose what's best for Alberta.
- GenresPolitics
122 pages, Paperback
Published June 4, 2021
1 person is currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Michael Wagner
326 books19 followersMichael Wagner is the author of more than 90 books for children which include the much loved Maxx Rumble series (20 books), six books about a delightfully silly and warm-hearted family called The Undys, the CBCA Honour Picture Book of the Year, Dirt by Sea, Why I Love Footy, Why I Love Summer, Bear Make Den (co-written with his partner, Jane Godwin) and many more. He's also self-published a handful of titles including: Pig Dude, Family Hugs and the So Wrong series.
Prior to becoming a children’s author, Michael worked for ten years as radio broadcaster with the ABC, wrote and produced award-winning animation, penned everything from advertising copy to songs and comedy, and grew up in a Housing Commission flat.
Prior to becoming a children’s author, Michael worked for ten years as radio broadcaster with the ABC, wrote and produced award-winning animation, penned everything from advertising copy to songs and comedy, and grew up in a Housing Commission flat.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 3, 2022
This book is a short case for Alberta to leave Canadian confederation by reorganizing as a new country.
The author believes the Western grievances started with Pierre Elliot Trudeau in the 1970s and are being continued in full force through his son (Justin Trudeau) in the present time. One of the major grievances for Alberta is Canada's anti-fossil fuel policies which hamper growth in their oil-rich province. Some of these include blocking Alberta from exporting oil via Pacific shores, cancelling numerous pipelines (2016,17) and passing Bill C-48, the "no more pipelines" bill. A second major grievance is while suffocating their primary industry, Alberta's riches are being redistributed to other provinces via equalization payments. Alberta has been a net giver for 55 years, never being the beneficiary during that time. Then there is an issue of Western provinces being unheard in Ottawa. Politicians through the decades have sought to placate the East (specifically Quebec and Ontario) at the expense of western needs and concerns.
Wagner makes the case that Alberta has tried to work with Ottawa for decades to get a fairer deal. He shows that the Conservative Party is not the solution as their politicians have failed to make the necessary changes once in power and have often betrayed the West by trying to placate the East for re-election. Wager argues that Alberta's best attempt to get a better deal was the Reform Party under Preston Manning and if that was not successful, the solution lies not in trying to reform Ottawa (like they have been doing for the last 50 years), but in leaving confederation.
His argument is that Alberta is oil-rich and can thrive by itself, especially when equalization payments are cut off and they develop their energy resources to its full capacity. Alberta can be even more prosperous when they are no longer under the constraints of Ottawa, who hate their pipelines but love taking their oil income.
As to the realism of this option, he points to the Supreme Court of Canada decision of 1998 ("Reference Re Secession of Quebec"), showing that there is a constitutional path to succession. The Supreme Court decided that if there is a clear majority of citizens of a province that want to leave Canada, then the Canadian government has an obligation to good-faith negotiation of leaving. The recent "Brexit" decision is also an encouragement that this can actually happen. Though Alberta is land-locked, Canada will still need to use their highways and fly through their airspace, so they have sufficient negotiation pieces to ensure they can get what they lack, like access to the BC coast.
The book is short (109 pages) and makes a compelling case. Some other topics covered include Alberta's unique history and identity (different from Eastern Canada) and an overview of the independence movement today. On a personal note, I already leaned towards independence but now I am fully convinced it is the best solution for Alberta. The Christian belief in "subsidiarity" also supports this through the principle that power is better held more closer to the subject. An Albertan government knows its needs better and can solve its own issues better than politicians in Ottawa, who have shown time and time again that Eastern interests come first.
The author believes the Western grievances started with Pierre Elliot Trudeau in the 1970s and are being continued in full force through his son (Justin Trudeau) in the present time. One of the major grievances for Alberta is Canada's anti-fossil fuel policies which hamper growth in their oil-rich province. Some of these include blocking Alberta from exporting oil via Pacific shores, cancelling numerous pipelines (2016,17) and passing Bill C-48, the "no more pipelines" bill. A second major grievance is while suffocating their primary industry, Alberta's riches are being redistributed to other provinces via equalization payments. Alberta has been a net giver for 55 years, never being the beneficiary during that time. Then there is an issue of Western provinces being unheard in Ottawa. Politicians through the decades have sought to placate the East (specifically Quebec and Ontario) at the expense of western needs and concerns.
Wagner makes the case that Alberta has tried to work with Ottawa for decades to get a fairer deal. He shows that the Conservative Party is not the solution as their politicians have failed to make the necessary changes once in power and have often betrayed the West by trying to placate the East for re-election. Wager argues that Alberta's best attempt to get a better deal was the Reform Party under Preston Manning and if that was not successful, the solution lies not in trying to reform Ottawa (like they have been doing for the last 50 years), but in leaving confederation.
His argument is that Alberta is oil-rich and can thrive by itself, especially when equalization payments are cut off and they develop their energy resources to its full capacity. Alberta can be even more prosperous when they are no longer under the constraints of Ottawa, who hate their pipelines but love taking their oil income.
As to the realism of this option, he points to the Supreme Court of Canada decision of 1998 ("Reference Re Secession of Quebec"), showing that there is a constitutional path to succession. The Supreme Court decided that if there is a clear majority of citizens of a province that want to leave Canada, then the Canadian government has an obligation to good-faith negotiation of leaving. The recent "Brexit" decision is also an encouragement that this can actually happen. Though Alberta is land-locked, Canada will still need to use their highways and fly through their airspace, so they have sufficient negotiation pieces to ensure they can get what they lack, like access to the BC coast.
The book is short (109 pages) and makes a compelling case. Some other topics covered include Alberta's unique history and identity (different from Eastern Canada) and an overview of the independence movement today. On a personal note, I already leaned towards independence but now I am fully convinced it is the best solution for Alberta. The Christian belief in "subsidiarity" also supports this through the principle that power is better held more closer to the subject. An Albertan government knows its needs better and can solve its own issues better than politicians in Ottawa, who have shown time and time again that Eastern interests come first.
July 24, 2021
This is a concise, well researched argument for the separation of Alberta from the Dominion of Canada. Wagner cites a number of sources who have been examining this issue for a few decades, on a number of levels: historical, sociological, political. It is an easy, but profitable, read with information that all Albertans should be aware of.
March 15, 2023
Short, but packed full of great info. Kind of like an introduction to Independence, ideal for someone just getting started with Albertan Independence. Impressed with the citations and direct quotes throughout; lots of 'further reading' opportunities.
August 25, 2025
Excellent Summary of Alberta History & Struggle with Canada
Historical review of Alberta and it's struggle to be treated fairly in Canada. Wagner backs up his opinion with facts! Every Albertan needs to read to make an informed decision about independence.
Historical review of Alberta and it's struggle to be treated fairly in Canada. Wagner backs up his opinion with facts! Every Albertan needs to read to make an informed decision about independence.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews