Alberta Voices-Paul Jones: This land is my land, this land is your land

From the shores of the Pacific to the Maritimes, this land belongs to you and me. Premier Danielle Smith is bringing division to Alberta because most people do not intend to separate, except for a few disgruntled citizens. She should not use the “notwithstanding clause” to rule on the sovereignty of the province of Alberta [...]

From the shores of the Pacific to the Maritimes, this land belongs to you and me. Premier Danielle Smith is bringing division to Alberta because most people do not intend to separate, except for a few disgruntled citizens. She should not use the “notwithstanding clause” to rule on the sovereignty of the province of Alberta and defy the court’s decision on the separation issue.

She might get tangled up in a court battle and lose all her ministers. Then, she would not be the premier and would be forced to call an election. When Justin Trudeau was prime minister of Canada, she rejected what he had to say.

She accepted the equalization payments for Alberta from the federal government, but those were not always shared with the people of Alberta for their own benefit. One example was the pharmacare program that Jagmeet Singh, former national NDP leader, initiated with Trudeau’s government. I feel that all seniors could benefit from it.

Instead, there’s a co-pay program in Alberta (Alberta Blue Cross). Blue Cross does not cover all my prescriptions. Paying $132.28 monthly for my wife and myself is appalling.

Meanwhile, the federal opposition Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, and all Conservative MPs are pressing for Alberta to remain part of Canada in the separation referendum campaign in the province. Prime Minister Mark Carney signed an agreement with Smith last week that adjusted climate policies, including industrial carbon pricing and backed plans to advance a new oil pipeline to the Pacific Coast. Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi said that Smith’s government has started a fire and has “no idea” how to control it.

She is playing a strange game because she doesn’t want to take responsibility and is leaving the work to the people of Alberta to decide this issue. Additionally, the Blackfoot Nation in Southern Alberta, comprised of Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani Nations, has a rich history rooted in the Great Plains, which is included in the Indian Act in the Constitution of Canada. They should have been consulted before any referendums are discussed, since originally this is Blackfoot land, and the premier of Alberta should abide by their wishes.

These are all issues to remember, as is the fact that this is my land and this is your land. Paul Jones lives in Coaldale. Alberta Voices is a Calgary Herald/Edmonton