As Canadians cast their ballots in a critical federal election, tensions over national unity are quietly simmering in Alberta — a province historically at odds with Ottawa, and where calls for greater autonomy are once again gaining attention.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, who grew up in Edmonton, visited his home province during the campaign’s final days, hoping to make inroads in an area where Liberal leaders have often faced skepticism. Despite his Alberta roots, Carney’s presence has not softened concerns among many Albertans who feel sidelined by federal policies, particularly in relation to the province’s vital oil and gas sector.
The feeling of alienation from Ottawa is not new. For decades, many in Alberta have expressed frustration that their economic contributions — especially through energy production — are not fully recognized or supported by federal governments. Recent comments by former Reform Party leader Preston Manning, warning that a Liberal victory could inflame separatist sentiment, reignited the debate over Alberta’s future within Canada. In an op-ed, Manning described another Liberal term as a threat to national unity, though his comments were met with caution by others.
Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney pushed back against calls for separatism, urging respect for the democratic process while also highlighting legitimate grievances from Western Canadians. Current premier Danielle Smith has presented a list of policy demands to whichever party forms the next government, centered around easing restrictions on Alberta’s energy sector.
Polling suggests that while Western alienation remains a real issue, outright support for separation is limited. According to Angus Reid Institute data, about 25 percent of Albertans would support leaving Canada under any circumstance, rising slightly to 30 percent in the event of a Liberal win. However, University of Alberta professor Jared Wesley argues that actual support for independence is much lower, with many using separatist rhetoric primarily as a form of protest rather than a serious political goal.
Observers note that Alberta’s sense of exclusion is exacerbated by institutional factors. For example, Senate representation heavily favors Eastern Canada, leaving Alberta and other western provinces with fewer voices in Ottawa relative to their population and economic output.
Both Carney and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who grew up in Calgary, have ties to the province, though their political paths have diverged sharply. Carney’s international career led him to Harvard, Oxford, and leadership roles abroad, while Poilievre built his political career within Canada’s Conservative movement. During this election, both parties have made efforts to win over Albertans, though the region remains largely a Conservative stronghold.
While most Albertans do not support separation, political figures and analysts warn that persistent feelings of neglect could deepen if the next federal government does not address Western concerns. Senator Paula Simons noted that Western alienation is a recurring feature of Canadian politics, often resurfacing when national policies seem disconnected from the economic realities of the Prairie provinces.
As Canadians await election results, the question of how to bridge the growing divide between regions remains unresolved. Former premier Kenney perhaps summed it up best: in a country as large and diverse as Canada, national unity can never be taken for granted.
