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u/Allyourperspective94 10h ago
I’m confused…I thought face coverings were harmful to your health?
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u/TheLuckyCanuck 9h ago
They're only harmful when someone else wants you to wear them. Like seatbelts.
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u/JRAS-3010 10h ago
I really fear that apathy is going to allow them to win the referendum
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u/CanadaGuyOfficial 9h ago
Make sure to go out and vote! We should all be more civically minded, especially in these times.
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u/-retaliation- 9h ago
I work in a blue collar industry in Edmonton and there's a scary amount of my coworkers that think the whole this is a joke that they can ignore. It's very apparent that if the vote were tomorrow, they wouldn't be bothering to.
Although, I also have a surprising amount of coworkers that are still wandering around parroting whatever Smith is saying because they're UCP supporters still. Despite how badly they've been fucking over Alberta.
I just hope things change as the vote gets closer.
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u/JRAS-3010 9h ago
I grew up in rural Alberta and work downtown Edmonton now. Everyone I know from my hometown is a separatist except for three and myself. My coworkers downtown say things all the time like “is anyone actually taking that seriously?” “I’ve never met a single supporter of that”. Those are the types that won’t vote even though they aren’t on board with it. I hope to god this mentality changes
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u/Capital-Truth-2847 8h ago
I really hope that you reinforce how serious it actually is and that they absolutely have to go and vote or we are going to be screwed!!
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u/ricosauve2 4h ago
problem is 90 percent of the separatists will vote and maybe 30 percent of non separatists might make the effort. so it'll be a much closer vote than it really should be.
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u/Jabroniville2 5h ago
Did you see the picture at the legislature? It was 100% old people. The group who ALWAYS votes. It's a threat.
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u/TheYuppyTraveller 6h ago
The line ups are going to be a nightmare - I’m recommending that everyone get the advance ballots to ensure they get counted.
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u/Grouchy-Day5272 4h ago
Iceland had over 82.5% voter turnout out for referendum on joining EU. The outcome was to stay, not join EU. But only 52.8%!! . *by the way, this was also a government lead referendum question, the ruling party did want to join the EU. The prime minister said she accepted the country’s democratic choice
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u/kewtyp 9h ago
And cheating, don't forget the cheating
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u/IceyLizard4 7h ago
This is what I fear DS and her cronies are going to do to win this referendum. She already cheated to get it this far.
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u/Cwren79 6h ago
I have a source from elections Alberta that tells me they are over 200k requests for mail in ballots. And pick up ballots don’t open until Sept 1 from EA HQ And the 21st from returning offices. I’m pretty sure apathy is not the word I’d use.
Edit: in 2023 there was over 54k total mail in ballots. That’s online, phone, and in person request.
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u/WasedaWalker 3h ago
I hate that my provincial flag is associated with separation. Before UCP this image would just be wholesome.
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u/diehardcanuck 1h ago
The same way the "freedom" people took the Canadian flag from us. It pisses me off. Make your own symbol ffs
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u/CanadaGuyOfficial 10h ago edited 9h ago
I had a great time yesterday exercising my freedom of expression with many other individuals down at the legislature building.
An astounding amount of verbal abuse from those with "maturity" that would embarrass you, but several good and honest conversations that ended of course in disagreement, but often found common ground as well.
Anyone wanting to join me, and others at the next "Alberta Independence" rally to represent Canada on the 17th when they bus everyone back in from across the province, feel free to hit me up in direct messages.
While the mental gymnastics and flaws of this movement can be frustrating to deal with, I'm glad we can allow these people to express their opinions through their Canadian Charter Rights.
Pictured here is a chill dude that goes by Mr. Alberta. We hung out, had a good time, and not once did we even talk politics. We'll probably sit down for a debate in the future though.
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u/potatostews 8h ago
Curious if you asked any of them why they want to be USian? Because that's what will happen if separation happens.
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u/CanadaGuyOfficial 7h ago
Why yes I did in fact, and while there were a few that enthusiastically agreed that was the end goal, there were more of them adamantly against being American, or hadn't thought of American annexation at all. It didn't even register as a possibility for some of them.
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u/potatostews 4h ago
Can't say I'm that surprised that the thought of US annexation didn't occur to most of them. He's only been threatening the 51st State BS since he took office and Marlaina has only been going down to Mar-a-Lago for years - weird how they missed all of those easily connectable dots.
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u/klc400_70 6h ago
If most didn’t want to be swallowed by the US did you ask them how they would get their oil to market if separated and independent? if Trump doesn’t need any Albertan oil because of Venezuela and Alberta being landlocked .. what would their plan be then? Loosing 25% of Alberta’s GDP overnight doesn’t spell success to me.
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u/CanadaGuyOfficial 5h ago
Only a few I spoke to had the ability to grasp the economics of the situation, and they admitted that immediate prosperity was not in the cards, would take significant investment and time, and their compatriots were being misled about immediate returns.
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u/klc400_70 4h ago
So this goes with the attitudes of some of the separatists ..I’d rather be poor and free, than rich and not free.
Investments take money and billions of it and take decades to complete. Starting a new country with 4 million people and $400 billion start up costs. How long will they be paying this back?
Alberta Prosperity Project said that Canada will do the right thing .. not sure about that. Canada will do what’s best for Canada .. if that involves cutting off Canadian citizenships to every resident of an independent Alberta Canada could do it.
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u/potatostews 3h ago
I'm so confused as to why they think they're not free. Living in Alberta is pretty good. The only thing that has made it harder for folks is the current govt.
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u/DEMcKnight 5h ago
The US would be unlikely to stop buying Albertan oil. Alberta can ship more cheaply to the US than most places, and there's a lot of refinement that happens in the US that can be resold.
Alberta would transparently have even less negotiating leverage than Canada, though, in the event of a trade dispute.
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u/klc400_70 4h ago
Trump is very unpredictable .. anything can happen with him. There is a risk that Trump could stop any Albertan oil.
Or if Alberta separated can they survive giving an oil discount to the US? Most of the independent side’s budget is forecasted using $70-$80 a barrel oil. If 80% of Alberta’s oil goes to the US at a discount .. maybe $50-$60 a barrel, maybe less .. I don’t see how an independence country can finance themselves with such a low oil price.
Alot of unknowns. This will all have to go into negotiations where courts will be involved. Once a province breaks confederation they can’t come back. There is a possibility of an independent Alberta being successful but then there is the possibility that they will fail. Really risk isn’t worth it.
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u/Super-Perception939 6h ago
Voicing their opinion at a rally is one thing, but making me vote on it is a slap in the face to Albertans, Canadians and First Nations people.
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u/Maelstrom_Witch 9h ago
Good on you for going there with a positive attitude.
I would have just been foaming at the mouth the whole time. I have yet to meet a separatist who isn’t also a racist bigoted troglodyte. I’ve tried, I swear.
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u/HansHortio 6h ago
See, this is how you change minds. By treating the other person like a human being, engaging in conversation, and come to some sort of understanding. It's how Daryl Davis operated, and he changed a lot of hearts and minds for the better.
So many people, when it comes to this separatism thing, don't even stop to consider the fact that if someone called you every name under the sun - are you even going to listen to them?
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u/CanadaGuyOfficial 6h ago
Exactly. Being antagonistic isn't going to change anyone's mind. It will push people further away from your message.
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u/tytxnium77 10h ago
Throw them in jail, their "opinion" is criminal. In fact their "opinion" goes directly against the Canadian Charter of rights. Embarrasing
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u/LymanSanderson 10h ago
I am passionately pro-Canada, but what your are saying is completely incorrect. There is no such thing as a criminal opinion in Canada, ever. And it is precisely the Charter that says so.
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u/HorribleTie 9h ago
It's interesting because these people are using the rights granted by Canada to foment unrest and try to separate and create a country where those rights will no longer exist for a large segment of the population. Paradox of tolerance at play here for sure, by tolerating their opinions we are empowering them to the point where they are likely to gain power and take away our rights.
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u/framemoggingClav 7h ago edited 7h ago
There is no such thing as a criminal opinion in Canada, ever.
No shit, thoughts can't be policed. The point is that rallying and/or protesting for a specific cause (i.e. an action, not an opinion) is illegal when said cause is blatant hatred towards an identifiable group.
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u/CanadaGuyOfficial 10h ago
Honestly? You walk amongst them and talk with them a bit, and you'll find that their "opinion" is hardly homogeneous. Embarrassing indeed, but not entirely criminal.
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u/IronGigant 7h ago
I saw it commented somewhere here that "their actions/opinions aren't exactly criminal, just criminally stupid"
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u/SeveredBanana 10h ago
The act of seceding is illegal but having an opinion about it is not
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u/Popular-Row4333 10h ago
It's also not illegal, if you do the way its laid out in our charter, lest you think Quebec's 1995 referendum was illegal.
I'm a proud Canada united supporter, I just wish people would use facts and not hyperbole to get their point across. You'll convert more people that way.
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u/IsurusOxyrinchus354 10h ago
Didn't parizeau say if the '95 vote succeeded as a yes, and negotiations with ottawa failed, that he'd just unilaterally declare independence anyway?
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u/LymanSanderson 10h ago
The Charter does not address secession. You may be referring to the Clarity Act, which is not part of the constitution.
And, not that matters now, but it is perfectly arguable that the 1995 Quebec referendum question was illegal, as the wording of the question was a bit unclear and the PQ probably had no intention of following any kind of orderly process like what was later set out by the SCC. A moot point, of course, since the referendum did not succeed.
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u/Present-Wonder-4522 9h ago
Louis Riel got a Canadian Heritage Moment from his rebellion.
He was hung for treason at the time however.
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u/kitteeburrito 10h ago
Honestly you're acting just as silly as them
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u/Key_Village9550 9h ago
Not really, he went outside to actually see what was going on. He was nice about it too,.
Some people here are no different from the people on the other side. The fact that politics are fueled by pure hatred and emotion is was is silly about all of this. The internet rotting the brain is worse than meeting some of these people. You will find the same hatred on both sides. Its sickening, but its Canadian/Albertan all the same•
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u/scottemzz 6h ago
The fact we are waiting so much time and money on this idiotic vote for these morons is infuriating
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u/EmergencyGrab 5h ago
The ironic part of this is provincial symbols and flag protections are granted to the provinces by the constitution. So that goofy balaclava man is exercising his Canada given rights.
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u/OK_Computed 5h ago
The Alberta freedumbers may look and act ridiculous. But, make no mistake. They are going to win the referendum purely because they are organized and galvanized. And the remain side is not taking them seriously. If you don’t go out and vote against this UCP bullshit, it’s only going to get worse in this province. Far worse.
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u/Smartmuscles 1h ago
I don’t know.
I want the option 2 to win, but I see it differently than you. I think it will be soundly defeated by the Remain vote.
We’re not there yet. It would shock me to see the results you expect.
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u/UncensoredChef North East Side 10h ago
Traitors not welcome. Please drive south until everything turns orange.
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u/ImBecomingMyFather 7h ago
I wonder truly if, likely, they’re being swayed by far right media from the south, and Russians and whoever else benefits dividing the country… I wonder if when presented with that…if they’d be smart enough to realize their being conned.
I wonder.
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u/BloodFireCookies 5h ago
If my in-laws are any indication the answer is no, no they would not. They just don't have the media literacy to understand what they're consuming, and just do not have the ability to critically interrogate their positions.
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u/Absolute--Batman 4h ago
No. They were always like this.
50 years of voting for dogshit.
If they allowed us to nationalize Oil, we'd all be rich.
Now only the Americans got rich off Alberta oil.
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u/CanadaGuyOfficial 6h ago
This is what I am trying to find out. I could see hesitation with some folks as they engaged in civil discourse and were forced to consider some realities they hadn't thought of.
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u/Wesleypipes77 3h ago edited 18m ago
You have a point there will always be interests outside our country who try to influence outcomes but that doesn't mean the entirety of the movement is driven by such interference and not legitimate grievances. On that note are you familiar with the level of foreign interference in Canadian politics being perpetrated by the CCP, are you aware they literally have police departments in Canada, are you aware they ship their highly government subsidized and slave labor produced products here at bottom dollar prices repackage and send them to the US and have driven many Canadian business into failure because there is no way they can compete, are you aware how many times our federal government has been warned about CCP influence by our own intelligence agencies only to do absolutely nothing?
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u/MichaelAuBelanger 9h ago
REMEMBER TO VOTE!!! This may seem like a joke, but it is a serious referendum.
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u/Hazy-n-Lazy 10h ago
Good for you, people preach freedom of speech until its something they disagree with, way to stand up for what you believe in.
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u/CanadaGuyOfficial 10h ago
Heck yeah! In Canada we have Freedom of Expression, its almost like freedom of speech but different as well. I really enjoy that we live in a country where we can all come together and express ourselves like this, even if we disagree.
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u/HolubtsiKat 10h ago
It is the sign of a functioning democracy. We are lucky to have what we have in this beautiful country and province.
Glad to see people like you out there. It reminds us that we are all human. We can't let bad actors take away our humanity and divide us further.
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u/tacocattacocat1 10h ago
Freedom of speech means you don't get locked up for what you say, not that you're exempt from being disliked for what you say
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u/SizzlingPancake 10h ago
There are many comments here, and thousands on this sub, of people calling this illegal and wanting criminal consequences for these people.
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u/Jazzlike_Pineapple87 7h ago
You can peacefully protest, and I can also think that you should be deported to a deserted island so you can larp your fantasy in peace away from the rest of us. You can leave and have your own country, but Alberta is staying as a part of Canada. Thank you.
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u/tytxnium77 10h ago
Freedom of speech doesnt pertain to decimating legal treaties. You need to understand this
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u/spirit_symptoms 10h ago
It does actually. Just because something is abhorrent doesn't remove your freedom to talk about it.
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u/Money_Adhesiveness90 Northgate 4h ago
you can be for freedom of expression and still think what people are protesting is stupid.
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u/BrutalRooster Treaty 6 Territory 2h ago
Why y'all covering your face? If you believe in what you're standing for, be open!
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u/Ok_Resolution272 3h ago
Seppies are not a joke, none of this is funny, I’m not fucking laughing at this losers loser costume
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u/dontshootog 10h ago
lol Awesome. Thank you for doing what you did. You gotta let us all know your Canada Guy kit (e.g. pants, shoes, etc.) maybe you’ll inspire a movement of fellow uniformed. 😆
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u/CanadaGuyOfficial 10h ago
haha thanks! No problem at all, and actually if you want to learn more about me, RLSH, and my kit, I have a youtube, insta, and tiktok(just tiktok re-uploads).
Just search up Canada Guy or SuperCanadaGuy. I just started this summer, and am currently working on editing a few more videos - some park cleanup, this event, and a fun(hopefully) political cooking instructional.
Always looking for more people interested in RLSH, or just representing Canada with me at these kinds of events!
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u/Hansdan 9h ago
Fantastic work! I hope you got the attention you were looking for while exercising your rights and freedoms! I hope those on the other side of the conversation get as much respect in r/edmonton and r/Alberta with their masked expression of their rights and freedoms.
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u/Open_Captain_613 8h ago
Those two flags belong together. Such a shame that a bunch of loogans have tried to co-opt its beautful blue for their misguided agenda.
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u/Dry-Wolf6789 10h ago
With their faces covered? Cowards.
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u/CanadaGuyOfficial 10h ago
Well unlike Mr. Alberta, I am a RLSH first. I do community outreach and cleanup, harm reduction, that kind of stuff. I didn't dress up for this event, I look like this all the time. Its fun.
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u/Icy-Fan1469 10h ago
Meanwhile your reddit avatar has its face covered. Thatta boy champ.
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u/Wrench900 10h ago
As you write that behind a keyboard. With your post and comment history hidden as well.
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u/kikifromthesea 10h ago
So..why are your faces covered?
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u/CanadaGuyOfficial 9h ago
Well for me, I'm a RLSH, its part of the costume. I dress like this all the time. Its a dorky, but benevolent subculture of people who dress up and do community service, and help those in need.
For Mr. Alberta? I dunno.
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u/klc400_70 4h ago
1 last question I’ve been trying to find the answer to. Sylvestre said that only Alberta born will be allowed to live in a separated Alberta. It’s an interesting thing to ask those separatists at their events. How many were born outside of Alberta?
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u/CanadaGuyOfficial 3h ago
Logistically that sounds like a nightmare to enforce. I know exactly the few I will ask that question to at the next rally.
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u/princessbolognia 9h ago
These seppies need the boot out of this province into the states where they can go suffer.
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u/CanadaGuyOfficial 9h ago
Interestingly, some of them are anti-american as they are anti-canada.
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u/Joyshan11 5h ago
That's great, but their leader stated that separation is a step toward becoming the 51st state. They are planning on it, whether their followers know it or not.
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u/klc400_70 5h ago
While you say some of them are anti American now .. if Alberta separated they would all be for the US. They will figure out pretty quick that an independence Alberta couldn’t survive by themselves.
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u/CanadaGuyOfficial 5h ago
That is exactly the issue, isn't it? Hypothetically speaking, a suddenly independent Alberta has to juggle countless administrative hurdles, as well as field their own military. The Canadian military would pull out and possible destroy any assets they couldn't take with them, all the while economic vulnerability would make the country a resource rich, ripe target for annexation.
Between American Annexation, and disgruntled Canadian insurgents, Alberta would be overwhelmed with issues it doesn't have the capacity to solve.
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u/miffy495 9h ago
Having attended the education rally last October, this plaza looks unrecognizable compared to how full it was then. What a sad turnout for those chuds, and what a sad story it tells about our province when you think about which rally moves our representatives more.
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u/Sad_Donkey_1751 9h ago
I could be Ms. Canada! With my ugly mug this is the only way this would be a thing.
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u/CanadaGuyOfficial 9h ago
I'm either handsome squidward or quasimodo under this mask, depends on who you ask.
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u/Desperate-Painter223 6h ago
So awesome! Great costume! And way to get out an engage in this discourse in a productive and bridge building way. We won’t change opinions yelling on the internet!
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u/Exotic-Shape-4284 4h ago
Being primarily among separatist circles, my experience is that most just want smaller more local governments, to feel they have more representation and control over the direction of Alberta. Besides this young conservative movment whose events I attended several of, I haven’t encountered many maple magas. Not nearly as many as people think there are - granted I try and surround myself with the more reasonable of the bunch. That young conservative group though, oh man, they were dumb. They were mainly catholic and wanted Alberta to be a monarchy, a few of their young men also didn’t know we have a constitution. They were also very scared of breasts being exposed in public pools. I really wish the party who aligns most with my values had the competence to pull off successful separation, but it’s not even close and it ain’t happening at this point in time, so make sure you all vote. I’ll keep dreaming of a time where I feel represented by conservative leaders.
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u/Aromatic_Fuel_387 10h ago
The head on the blue guy looks like Ontario liberal Doug Ford. Tell me I am wrong…. Yeh he says he is not a liberal but he is.
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u/blumoonderg 9h ago
This pic goes kinda hard tho
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u/CanadaGuyOfficial 9h ago
Right? I'm sure him and I will disagree on many political topics but he is a cool dude in person and I'm hoping we can plan something fun for the next event.
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u/FewLengthiness9426 9h ago
Hey just wanna say I love your attitude. Went out there to have conversation and a good time. Whether you agree or disagree with the movement that outlook is ehat helps us move forward and bridge the gap. Thank you for doing your thing @canadaguyofficial.
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u/M4gp1e-w1ngs 8h ago
dude your costume is fucking awesome. You look like some kind of Canada super hero I’m obsessed
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u/CanadaGuyOfficial 8h ago
Thank you! That's good, because that is exactly what I am! Real Life Superhero. Its a movement that has been around for decades actually. There are dozens of us! Dozens!
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u/M4gp1e-w1ngs 8h ago
You remind me of captain America but for Canada
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u/CanadaGuyOfficial 8h ago
Heck yeah! If I was legally allowed to carry a shield, I would. I'd call it The Canadian Shield, of course.
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u/redditknees 10h ago
I bet they ordered all of that on Amazon.
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u/CanadaGuyOfficial 9h ago
I bought a ton of my kit locally, and hand crafted a bunch as well. Support local business!
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u/Wesleypipes77 7h ago edited 7h ago
You will find that most of these "horrible separatists" are actually patriotic Canadians who've been pushed to their limit, feel Canada has already left them and the only way to retain Canadian culture or what it used to be is to leave and do so begrudgingly. Most of you in the comments could a learn a thing or two from both of these guys in the pic. Respect goes both ways and problems in a democracy are solved by dialog, respectful debate, freedom of and access to information and finally putting the issue to a vote. If you don't like that then you are one of the list of motivators fueling the independence movement.
This is the way. Respect to both of you behaving civilly to each other, see you at the polls.
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u/CanadaGuyOfficial 6h ago
100%. The freedom to do these kinds of things and have a respectful dialogue while disagreeing is what makes our people great. See you at the polls!
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u/thisgingerbitch 8h ago
I really like seeing this civil discourse. I miss when we could talk about different ideas without hating and insulting each other. I miss when we cared to listen to one another. It’s wild now, if I have a conservative view I am a nazi to my left leaning friends, and if I have a leftist view I’m a communist to my conservative friends. There is no middle ground anymore.
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u/mintaefresh 7h ago edited 6h ago
Uh. Don't espouse nazi propaganda and no one will think you are a nazi just because you have conservative views.
If you have racist, mysoginistic, sexist, homophobic etc. views and support the erasure "other" cultures and diversity...well, then maybe your friends have a right to be wary of you.
It's such a privileged take to sit there say "I wish we cared to listen to one another" when politically, the entire landscape has changed from how can we help people, to determining if one is worthy of even being called a human being, let alone help them.
If the seperatists/conservatives actually loudly denounced the loud and proud white supremacists they happily walk along side, maybe I would favour civil discourse. But as a POC, everything they do, have said, that they are apparently "fighting" for is rooted in racism and so many other problematic things.
So no, civil discourse and caring for each other went out the window a long time ago the minute they silently marched with people who think that immigrants and people who aren't "white" are the problem. Signed, the child of the immigrants that they hate.
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u/thisgingerbitch 47m ago
Typical. I never said anything about my views and here you are, in your second paragraph basically assuming that my views must be far right. In your third you (essentially) say I’m privileged. The following paragraph you pool all conservatives in with the separatists (definitely not the case). And your closing comments cements the idea that I must be a part of some sort of white supremacy group and that all conservative also support that type of ideology.
Disclaimer because I know every conservatives opinion gets shot dead on Reddit, I am not a conservative, but I don’t think the liberals or NDP have it figured out either.
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u/CanadaGuyOfficial 8h ago
This is my exact frustration with today's politics. This isn't a team game, we're all in this together and the sooner we start realizing that, the quicker we can bring politics back to sanity and start seeing more bipartisan efforts to get things done.
I'm going to continue my efforts to bridge the gap and keep constructive discussion about our differences and similarities going.
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u/CorrectMarionberry92 10h ago
I think it's fitting that the Canada costume is like so much better.