Canadians Call It Treason as Alberta Separatists Face National Backlash

A clear majority agree that turning to the U.S. for assistance in separation is inappropriate

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Newly released polling from Canada Pulse Insights is shedding light on how Canadians feel about recent statements surrounding the news that Alberta separatists have been actively communicating with American officials about an independent Alberta.

First off, Canadians strongly agree that Mark Carney is doing a good job of unifying Canada rather than dividing it, with 72% in agreement and 28% disagreeing.

Disagreement is highest in the Prairies, where 33% of Albertans and those in Saskatchewan and Manitoba disagree. Disagreement is lowest in Quebec at 25%, with British Columbia slightly higher at 28%.

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On the flip side, British Columbians and everyone east of Manitoba sit at more than 70% agreement with the notion that Mark Carney is doing a good job of unifying Canada.

The survey then delved into agree or disagree questions using statements made by a couple of notable politicians

First up, the survey asked whether Canadians agree with the idea that going to a foreign country and asking for assistance in breaking up Canada is emblematic of an old-fashioned word: treason. That statement was made by BC Premier David Eby the day after an article was released detailing Alberta separatists meeting with White House officials.

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Overall, 71% of Canadians agree with the notion that taking such actions constitutes treason, whether they legally do or not, while 29% disagree. Agreement is highest in the central Prairies at 82%, followed by Atlantic Canada and Ontario at 78% and 77%, respectively.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Alberta and Quebec are the least likely provinces to agree with that idea, as only 63% of Quebecers and 56% of Albertans agree that seeking foreign help to break up Canada constitutes treason.

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David Eby also said that it is completely inappropriate to seek to weaken our nation by going to a foreign power and asking for assistance in breaking Canada up. The poll found even higher agreement with that statement, with 81% of Canadians agreeing that it is inappropriate to do so, while only 19% disagree.

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While disagreement is still highest in Alberta at 31%, that is notably lower than the 44% on the previous question. The province is still a mild outlier compared to the rest of the country. Quebec once again is ahead of Alberta on this front, with 22% disagreeing that it is inappropriate to seek foreign support in breaking up Canada, though 78% of Quebecers agree that it is.

The rest of the country sits at more than 82% agreement on the idea that seeking foreign support for breaking up Canada is inappropriate.

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Across the provincial border in Alberta, Premier Smith said that because they are discussing what an independent Alberta would look like, it is a desperate attempt to chill free speech in Canada by claiming the province, and those supporting the idea, are somehow committing treason.

Canadians are split, with most not buying it outside of Alberta. The survey found 47% of Canadians agreed with Smith’s statement, with support highest in Alberta and Quebec at 55% and 51%, respectively.

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Once again, Ontario and British Columbia are the most opposed to such notions, with 58% and 57% disagreeing with Smith’s idea that it is an attempt to chill free speech by openly discussing the dissolution of Canada.

Finally, Smith also stated that she is not going to demonize or marginalize a million of her fellow citizens when they have legitimate grievances to air, with most Canadians agreeing at 59%, compared to 41% who disagree.

Support for that statement was highest in Alberta at 64%, while those outside of BC and Ontario were at a consistent 62% agreement. Disagreement was highest in BC and Ontario at 45% each, though most still agreed with the idea of not demonizing fellow Canadians for legitimate grievances.

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In the end, Canadians are broadly unified on the notion that airing grievances with provincial and federal governments is aboveboard and within reason. Where Canadians rapidly turn against their fellow citizens is when grievances turn into pseudo treason, or outright treason against the nation.

You cannot blame Canadians for getting upset and angry toward those suggesting separation from Canada, especially during a time of outward facing threats from our southern neighbour, never mind going to that same neighbour and asking for help in breaking apart the nation.

No matter the province or territory, Canada is stronger together, and legitimate grievances should be aired and addressed as a nation. But if you seek to break apart the country, do not expect to be welcomed with open arms by the same people you spite and wish ruin upon.

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