Momentum has exploded for the western separatist movement Wexit since the election of the federal Liberal minority government Monday 91Ƶ bringing with it planned rallies across Alberta, says the group91Ƶs founder.
Peter Downing said the election was right there for the Conservatives91Ƶ taking.
91ƵThey had their last chance. We are launching Wexit candidates. We91Ƶre going to be registered very soon as a federal separatist bloc. The Reform Party did it in the 91Ƶ80s and 91Ƶ90s with the slogan 91ƵThe West Wants In.91Ƶ
91ƵOurs is 91ƵThe West Wants Out,91Ƶ91Ƶ Downing said Tuesday.
Premier Jason Kenney seemed to be aware of the sentiment when he said Alberta voters spoke with 91Ƶone voice of defiance91Ƶ when they elected 33 Conservative MPs Monday, handing just one seat to the NDP.
91ƵThat was a very diverse spectrum of Albertans who sent a message last night. Many of them are saying they don91Ƶt feel at home in their own country,91Ƶ said Kenney.
Downing said interest in Wexit blew up after the election results came in. The Facebook page had 230,000 members by Wednesday.
91ƵWe didn91Ƶt expect that much this quick. These are regular people. They are looking for somebody to protect their livelihood.
91ƵThey are ready to separate because they know what a Trudeau minority government means the Trans Mountain pipeline is not getting built.91Ƶ
In addition to Alberta sovereignty, the Wexit platform includes enhanced economic, military and geo-political co-operation with the United States; delivering essential government services only and ending public investment in unreliable energy technology such as wind and solar.
Downing said Albertans want access to tide water for oil resources and they want the taxes and provincial transfer money that leave Alberta to be reinvested in their province.
He said the Liberal91Ƶs carbon tax is going to level Albertans who are already struggling, so the time is now to pressure Kenney to hold a referendum on separation.
91ƵWe91Ƶre going to put so much pressure on Premier Jason Kenney to hold a referendum on separation, kick out the RCMP, to unilaterally take control again of firearms, taxation, immigration and payroll deductions 91Ƶ we91Ƶre going to do it right now.
91ƵHe91Ƶs got a choice to make. Does he want to be the premier of Alberta and fight the way that Albertans deserve, or is he going to give us fairy tales about referendums and equalization that don91Ƶt mean anything?91Ƶ
Downing said applications are in the process of being submitted to hold Wexit protests at the provincial legislature and at Calgary City Hall.
Wexit rallies are already scheduled for Nov. 2 in Edmonton, Nov. 16 in Calgary and Nov. 30 in Red Deer.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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