Volume XIX, No. 1/Volume XVII, No. 12 January 2001/December 2000
The Western Separatist Papers has been published (usually)
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The more things change, the more they stay the same..
Glimpses, through the media, of the founding convention of the Alberta Independence Party this past weekend, are like déjà vu to twenty years ago, precisely. I only hope that our karma doesn't demand that we, the West, have to repeat the full history, like Bill Murray caught in Groundhog Day, until we get it right!
Some things that I hope we don't have to learn again:
There is no value in fighting amongst ourselves; there is a far more potent and important intellectual opponent just outside the Western Canadian borders, down in Central Canada, seated in Ottawa and pervasive there in attitude and power. They only laugh at us, and carry on dominating us, when they see us squabbling about zillions of policy issues, and then moderating our stand on the fundamental issue of separatism because we're too tired from fighting to make a clear and unequivocal stand about the main reason we exist in the first place.
If there is any doubt about this, just read the Central Canadian columnists writing from the centre of the country, in the wake of the Alberta Independence Party's founding convention. Soak up some of their sarcastic, condescending, paternalistic comments, and then remember who your real allies are! Remember too that we'll never be able to please this fickle media that has no allegiance to us or our interests. Never sell out your allies for media coverage. They are generally not our friends.
An example of all the things we don't need to fight about among ourselves is the myriad of policies we could, should, or might adopt. We all have strong opinions regarding many things and I know that people want "policies" to gather more people to the cause on easier issues than independence or for their own security in the face of the unknown. But why can't we realize that all these peripheral things can and will be figured out by Western Canadians in their own parliament, given the opportunity. We aren't stupid; we can make informed choices, when we have the power to decide these things in our own new nation. We don't need to have every issue determined in advance; we just need freedom.
Have we bought the Central Canadian image of ourselves to the degree that we have so little faith in our own abilities? I guess being excluded from the corridors of real power will do that to a people!
I am delighted to see the formation of the AIP and other parties or organizations throughout Western Canada; the more voices for Independence, the better, but if it turns out that they are only homes for disgruntled compromisers who mouth that ancient platitude one more wearisome time ("separation if necessary, not necessarily separation") to the media's deceitful approval, then I can only see more time and money being wasted in yet another dead end. It reminds me of Stockwell Day's words in Vancouver recently when he appealed to Westerners to embrace the alternative of reform, yet one more time. Only the word he used this time was "transformation" instead of "reformation."
There are so many pitfalls on the way to becoming a real separatist but clinging to the known, in fear of the unknown, is only a bad habit of dependence and lack of self-confidence. Realize that perhaps the greatest crime against the west, perpetrated by decades of living within the confines of the Canadian system, is that lack of faith in ourselves. For all our bluster, we aren't too sure of ourselves and our abilities, are we? We're like kids who've lived too long in the family home, past the point of natural departure until now we're unsure we could make it on our own. And like people who finally break out on their own, they usually make it. So can we.
There will be of course, those who don't really have goodwill toward the fledgling parties, lurking within them. This lesson I learned to my shock years ago when the WCC was disrupted from within by the nicest-appearing people, who protested that they only had the best intentions. But if they weren't on the payroll of the federal government, they should have been. Now, with the revelations in the Heritage Front Affair, of the dirty tricks that CSIS can and did get up to regarding the Reform party, I see it as all too likely that new parties will also be the targets of agents provocateurs. Sad, but true, and something to watch for and try not to get paranoid about. Just think however, about what result they would appreciate, and you'll be able to pick such people out. They'll be the ones who try to lead the party into divisions, into a weakened stance, and into advocating a less than legal means of achieving our ends. It's important, therefore, that the leaders remain straight and true to the cause, focussed on doing it by peaceful, political means. From all reports, Cory Morgan seems to be doing just this.
Another aspect of the brew is divisions among the western provinces. We are faced with a problem unique to the West: how to coordinate the West's separation when it is only achievable through a provincial jurisdiction. It can be done, and I believe, eventually will be done, but in the meantime, it is very important that we not use these provincial boundaries as the barriers they have always been in Confederation, when dealing with our Western allies. Competitiveness and jealousy between the four western provinces could be the downfall of the movement, if we all don't rise above it. Once again, we must remember that we have more in common with our fellow Western provinces, than we do with the rest of Canada.
Before the West can separate from Central and Eastern Canada, it must practice true unity within our movement, within each western province and within the West as a whole. Let's work together.
Keltie Zubko
For years I have struggled to solicit letters to the editor, and been grateful to receive them, and publish them. Now I could fill volumes with the letters we get daily.
To the Editor:
The results of the 27th November Federal Election should be crystal clear to all Canadians living west of the Manitoba/Ontario border that the 4 provinces that make up Western Canada are just not welcome in the federation of Upper and Lower Canada! Ontario is bound and determined to be the "sole determinator" (by virtue of its 107 seats) of the present and ALL future federal governments and that the other 8 provinces outside Central Canada are effectively "irrelevant"!
I for one support the idea of a separate and (truly) democratic Federal Republic of Western Canada made up of the four provinces and possibly three territories(?) with true equality of representation in a single chambered parliament based on the European Parliament - that is 30 seats for each of the four provinces irrespective of population with a constitutionally determined MAXIMUM of 10 jurisdictions (i.e. defence, trade, external affairs, justice etc.). . . .
Although I am presently living here in Ontario (being an `economic refugee' from the "peoples socialist state" of BC(!), I would seriously consider moving back to Vancouver if a far more "fiscally responsible" and pro-separatist provincial government was elected in Victoria this coming year!
I do not know what the feelings of Canadian Alliance members or voters are in the Western Provinces but the proverbial kick in the teeth in this last November 27th Election by Ontario voters, - must be making many think the presently unthinkable - that Quebec has been right all along and that Western Separation is the only alternative to ensure a true constitutional democracy with a parliament that implements Canadian Alliance policies and elects an Alliance dominated Federal Government!
Alberta has indicated that by being very fiscally conservative, that substantially lower taxes are the ultimate reward - that the other 3 western provinces, and most especially BC, can effectively reduce both their taxes and long term debt in short order - most especially as the portion of transfer payments to Ottawa would be substantially reduced to only pay off BC's share (13%) of the $575 billion National debt!
BC could also raise "major" royalty income by removing the moratorium on oil and gas drilling off the BC coast as well as "changing" the boundaries of those particular northern parks and wildlife habitats that presently include mountains of virtually pure ore near the Yukon/Alaska border! Allowing the construction of a major pipeline down from Alaska (Prudhoe Bay) to pass through BC on its way through the North Western States could also generate some useful extra income as a result!
Such a new constitutionally and `truly democratic' entity as a separate Federal Western Canadian Republic may be a sufficient drawing card to the 2 million people here in Ontario who voted for Canadian Alliance this last November - to very seriously consider a migration west when it is absolutely obvious that the majority of Ontario voters stupidly want the present corrupt and spendthrift Liberal dictatorship in Ottawa!
Those are my thoughts, hopes and suggestions as to what I would like to see in such a new sovereign state. Of course it goes without saying that we would NOT even consider membership in either the Commonwealth nor the United Nations and most certainly NOT La Francophonie! Even APEC would be a very doubtful proposition considering the large number of less than democratic member states!
B. Tarplett
Kitchener, Ont.
The Western Separatist Papers welcomes your letters to the editor. Please send them to P.O. Box 143, 255 Menzies St., Victoria, B.C. V8V 2G6, or by fax to 250-479-3294, or by email to kzubko@home.com.
*Frequently Asked Questions
Introducing a new feature to answer some of those common questions we are getting asked in our mail and calls. Please send your questions to us for answers. What questions do you get asked, most frequently? If you disagree with our answers, tell us why!
As is typical of the media, they hit Cory Morgan, the interim leader of the Alberta Independence Party, on the occasion of its founding convention, with a difficult question, expecting an immediate and short answer. He responded quite clearly that he couldn't give the type of "sound bite" answer they needed.
The question was "What is Western Canadian culture?" This we need to answer, and it is not a short, tidy sound bite of an answer.
First, we believe, it is the common language, English, which 95% of us speak without difficulty. That is a powerful unifying force.
Then, it is love of individual freedom, which most people have learned from the experience of our pioneers who came here for just that. This is commonly the pattern in westward migration, throughout the world. Many people have come here, today, seeking freedom.
Then there is the obvious love of our land and environment, which we cherish as our sacred heritage and which gives us our wealth in our farms, forests, lakes, rivers and resources. We have been traditionally (and this is imbued in our being as a people) a resource-based economy. Although our economy is always changing and developing new productive outlets, our nature as resource-based is fundamental, and forms a basic element of our consciousness.
Then there is our sense of justice and fairness, which makes most people rankle under Ottawa's rule, with no voice in its political decisions and perpetually being elected in Ontario where our voice just doesn't count. In a large measure, Western Canadian culture has been created by the political structure of Canada, which has not changed and will not change, despite our best attempts at reform.
Christian values are a large part of our culture which collectivism and the negative aspects of multiculturalism is trying to suppress.
There is much, much more to our culture but Canada is hostile to the farm culture, the forestry culture, even the oil patch culture and mostly it portrays Western Canadians as redneck bigots or worse.
We are a people with strong individual values, devoted to a close relationship with nature and a desire for direct democracy, which places a high priority on individual freedom and less on delegated authority.
One major Western Canadian cultural marker is the way we all (for generations!) keep voting for parties who seek change, like the Social Credit, United Farmers of Alberta, CCF, NDP, Reform, Alliance, Western Canada Concept and the Progressives.
The West is where all new political movements in favour of change have emerged and then died when they tried to take their message east. The west is innovative, imaginative, restless, creative and democratic. The east, in contrast, is collectivist, reactionary, conservative/liberal, not willing to change and believes apparently in a ruling elite who are entrusted to decide everything. (There are, naturally, exceptions, as our mail has recently borne out, but the general principle holds true otherwise Canada would have changed its fundamental inequalities long ago.)
The Charlottetown Accord was only defeated in the referendum in two places: Quebec and the West, particularly British Columbia. This clearly demonstrates that the east trust government. The Western people believe they know better. The special status based on collectivism has always been rejected in the West. The West is where a person counts, and a group is less important.
by Douglas Christie
Wednesday 3 January 2001
Douglas Christie, For the Calgary Herald
Many people have noticed. Ontario with 103 seats voted Liberal. The West with 88 seats voted Alliance. The Liberals win again. Gordon Gibson, Steven Harper, David Frum, Ian Hunter and a lot of other commentators have commented on all the negative reasons for western separation.
But as one who has publicly advocated western separation for the past 25 years, I believe one should avoid simply negative emotions which quickly pass, and focus rather on positive reasons for Western Canada separating and becoming a new nation.
The first and most obvious advantage separation allows to a Western Canadian is a clean slate. We could write our own new constitution for the first time a solid foundation of values like the constitutional right of referendum, initiative and recall. This idea was ridiculed by the "Doris Day" proposition, which Eastern Canadians and some westerners quickly turned into a farce much like children given paint to create an artistic masterpiece instead paint clown faces on each other. An effective right of referendum, initiative and recall combined with technology available through the television, telephone, Internet and teleconferencing, could give ordinary citizens real power and when seriously presented, would be seriously discharged. Only a new Western Canadian constitution can effect such referendum rights and diminish the power of politicians between elections.
Similarly a triple-E or regionally representative Senate cannot ever really be achieved in Canada. Ontario with 103 seats out of 301 in the House of Commons has a clear vested interest in the present balloting arrangement. It has all the power now and will not give it away. After independence, Western Canadians have only themselves to please and I believe they would establish an elected Senate as a balance to the House of Commons. Thus each province would restrain the power of the densely populated provinces and the Senate would be a regional voice mechanism.
Indian land claims, which today create insolvable problems and tribal homelands with special rights based on race, are being constitutionally entrenched. Many people see the danger of this institutional minority racism, but can see no solution. As the captain of the ship of state, the Western Canadian government can constitutionally establish that the land belongs to all the people individually and the individual rights of Indian people can be recognized without the deadening hand of separate status. This solution breaks the division between peoples and builds the option of a new future where every individual has equal rights. Institutional racism is no way to fight racism, and equal rights for all is the only solution.
A further positive advantage of independence lies in the common language and culture which has tried to emerge in the last 50 years. English as the official common language could be declared as Western Canada becomes free of the stultifying hand of the ancient custom and constitution of Canada with its entrenched confusion and conflict of bilingualism and biculturalism. We can be better friends and neighbours with Quebec after we separate from Canada compared with now, burdened with the resentment of watching our equalization dollars bribe Quebec to remain in Canada. In Western Canada only one official language would be necessary. Proficiency in English would be the only linguistic requirement for success in the military or civil service of Western Canada. All forms and laws could just be written in English.
Another obvious advantage of independence is in the ability to keep ourselves free from debt as we experience huge returns for the export of wheat, timber, minerals, coal, petroleum, fishery, maybe even fresh water, as well as our own manufacturing. The chances of this happening in Canada are nil. The nation of Canada now brags that its rate of debt increase has been eliminated. This is a long way from escaping debt. International exports from Western Canada would create a favourable balance of payments. A Western Canadian dollar would be much more powerful in purchasing ability.
The emergence of a means to define and protect our own culture would finally enable us to avoid cultural genocide as is now being practised by Ottawa against us by its immigration policy. We could, along with preserving our linguistic unity, begin to prescribe and develop standards of anticipated behaviour which are only capable of definition when we are not open to vast quantities of cultures who decline to assimilate and demand instead, our accommodations to the invading culture.
In essence we could, by legal, social and cultural means, promote the development of a common culture formed in freedom and dedicated to honest research and expressive of our common goals and values. Without common language and culture we are incapable of literature, values, or agreed upon heroism. Without culture there is no community for which to fight and die or struggle and live.
With all these positive reasons for Independence, what possible reason for confederation remains? It used to be considered by some ignorant people illegal to separate. The Clarity Act has now established what was in doubt.
Can a province separate from Canada? The Supreme Court of Canada and the Parliament of Canada have both answered a resounding "yes." All that is required is a clear referendum question and a clear majority. The legal obstacle has vanished. Separation is legally attainable. All that is necessary is political will. That will I hope to articulate, form and stimulate with reason and all the passion I can muster.
The Clarity Act also provides the logical answer to the question of which provinces would be included. Clearly it would be whichever provinces choose by a clear referendum, and a clear majority. It could be British Columbia alone. It could be Alberta alone. Or in combination, if each chose in a referendum at the same time. It could be Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon and Northwest Territories, or as they're now called by some other name. The people of each province and territory, would for once, have a significant decision to make for themselves. For once, their opinion would matter. For once, their choice would be historic and significant. They could choose to create a new nation, peacefully, democratically and rationally.
What are the arguments against separation? Sometimes former prime minister Brian Mulroney would argue membership in the G-7 as a reason not to separate, as if this gained us anything. Prime Minister Jean Chretien speaks vaguely of a tolerant society but is tolerance of evil a virtue and intolerance of corruption a vice? The CBC tells us geography makes Canada great, but geography is a physical reality and Canada is a political construction totally unrelated to geography. The Soviet Union was geographically beautiful. Those are all emotional arguments, with no basis in fact. So what makes Canada endure? The answer is really inertia and lack of vision. That is being solved. The arrogance and contempt of Jean Chretien is finally breaking through what I had begun to fear would never move, that is the stolid obedience and apathetic acceptance by the average Western Canadian. We are "a different kind of people" as he said. A new nation of Western Canada is, in the end of the day, all that we have to look forward to.
With the seven million English speaking people of Western Canada, a land mass the size of Europe, extensive agricultural land, oil, gas, fresh water, beautiful scenery, vast wilderness, minerals, forestry and fishery in potential abundance, why would we tolerate a government in Ottawa? It despises our people and their democratic choices. It exploits and taxes away our resources. It steals our land through grants to racial groups. It oppresses our freedom. It bankrupts our economy. What do we really lack to govern ourselves better?
Having worked for Western Canadian independence for 25 years, after this last election I see the will power finally emerging.
Contact Doug Christie, by fax at 250-479-3294 or at the Western Canada Concept, Box 143, 255 Menzies Street, Victoria, B.C. Western Canada V8V 2G6, or by email at dougchristie@home.com.
Stephane Dion is clearly a genius. He is so much smarter than we westerners that he points out our differences and laughs at us. This surely will convince us we are in need of serious re-education. If we learn suitably, we might even become third class liberals. Not being Quebecois, we could never aspire to first class and not being from Ontario we could never attain second class. But at least we could be third class! Then they could appoint some of our more intelligent members to the bench, or commissions, tribunals and the like. That is, for the compliant ones.
He is so clever, M. Dion. "So what's the West? Bill 11 or the movement against Bill 11?" He surely can see our divisions. Quebec separatists were never so ridiculously easy to ridicule. He and his senior liberals must be laughing themselves to sleep.
What the West needs is more of the re-education so generously offered by Ms. Dion's superior intellect. By such lectures, we might grow up enough to realize we really don't need him, the Liberals or Ottawa, at all.
Our recent tour of Alberta had the feel of 1980 about it. Everyone is full of hope for separation, but in contrast to 20 years ago, people are not afraid of the word separatism.
The meeting in Leduc was well-attended. A lively discussion ensued and by the end of the night many new members had joined. Robert and Gladys Kratchmer did a great job of organizing and advertising, but our own members were not notified due to shortage of time. For this, I apologize. Nevertheless, the meetings were a great success and got better as we went along.
In Red Deer I attended briefly the founding convention of the Alberta Independence Party to encourage them. Our policy is to encourage and work with anyone who will take a stand for the independence of Western Canada, in a clear and unequivocal manner. We will work to avoid petty infighting and divisions within the separatist movement.
I saw Cory Morgan giving a TV interview and felt genuine affection for his sincere and earnest efforts to keep the focus on separatism. I shook hands with him and congratulated him and wished him well. He then recognized me and we had a few friendly words and I left. Political parties are difficult and dangerous, especially to people with principles.
Our own meeting in Red Deer was sparsely attended by about 30 people. I gave a good speech and someone suggested recording these speeches and selling the tapes. That will probably be done. Perhaps the person who suggested he'd like to do this could contact me.
The Calgary meeting was the best, full of new people, some from as far away as Cardston, and the border. These people were all shown the petition for a referendum, which is our current focus, as a tool for political pressure on the provincial governments and to raise Western Canadian consciousness about independence. It also gives us contacts that are sympathetic and who will work for Independence. A copy of it is enclosed with this newsletter (or is available at our website) for you to take and get completed.
We are different that any other group. We have prepared this petition to empower people directly. The petition is drawn with the specific purpose of complying with the Clarity Act passed in Ottawa June 29, 2000. This legislation sets out how legal independence can be achieved, according to them. Copies of this Act are available from us for $2.00 and a self-addressed envelope with postage. The petition has taken hold with tremendous momentum.
Thanks to Robert and Gladys Kratchmer, and my sister Jane, for making this tour a success.
Our website is receiving an increasing number of hits per day, currently around 200 per day. Our phone and fax and email and regular mail continue to be very busy. I have appeared in various media, just yesterday on CBC Newsworld. There are many requests to hold meetings, and this will be decided in the near future, with ample notice to members in those areas! We are planning small, but regular ads in such places as the Western Producer. Let us know your ideas in this regard.
One plan for the petition is to promote the idea of all Albertans approaching each candidate to ask them to sign the petition asking for a referendum on Independence. We will list all candidates who agree to give the petition effect and the people a choice. Thus the election will be forced to focus on separation, even beyond political parties. We must remember that this movement for Independence transcends all political parties or special interest groups. Soon history and the peoples will, will overtake the politicians and political parties. They never lead, anyway, but just follow and shout slogans. The petition, when signed by 10% of the voters of a province cannot be ignored.
Join and support every organization that advocates independence. Try to influence them to keep this the primary focus of their limited resources. Stay true to principle.
Purchase and display merchandise advocating independence. For example there are some terrific t-shirts available. Next month we'll publish contacts for such merchandise.
Write letters advocating independence and contact talk shows whenever there is an opening to do so, with such strategies as pointing out what a difference independence would make.
Make your return address "Western Canada" and address mail to "Eastern Canada" or "Central Canada", just to make more people aware of the concept.
Take the petition for Independence (as enclosed with this edition of the WSP) and photocopy it. Get as many signatures on it as possible. It is also available on our website at www.westcan.org, waiting to be printed out and filled in.
Apply your individual skills, whatever they may be, to the cause of Independence. You can speak, write, think, go door-to-door with literature, donate time or money or ideas. Whoever you are, whatever you can do, you are needed!
Send us your suggestions for actions that a separatist can take.
Western Canada Concept
Advocating Western Canadian Independence since 1974
To: WCC, Box 143, 255 Menzies Street, Victoria, B.C.
Western Canada V8V 2G6;
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