Forever Canadian Unity Bus Stops In Vermilion

Hon. Steve West picking up his Forever Canadian lawn sign. Photo submitted

Residents gathered in the location of Zayn’s Diner Plus in Vermilion on June 9 as the Forever Canadian Unity Bus made a stop in the community as part of a province-wide campaign promoting Alberta remaining within Canada ahead of the October referendum.

The Unity Bus, led by former Alberta deputy premier Hon. Thomas Lukaszuk and volunteers with the Forever Canadian movement, has been travelling throughout Alberta meeting with residents and discussing concerns surrounding Alberta’s future and the upcoming provincial vote.

Community members stopped by throughout the afternoon to ask questions, share opinions, and hear more about the movement’s message of national unity. Organizers described the campaign as an effort to encourage respectful conversation while providing Albertans with information before the referendum takes place later this year, as well as providing residents the opportunity to pick up Forever Canadian signage. The Hon. Steve West who served with Lukaszuk and Ralph Klein as a former Progressive Conservative Finance Minster stopped by to pick up a Forever Canadian lawn sign.

Lukaszuk said the campaign is making a point of stopping in communities of all sizes throughout the province.

“It is our goal to visit all municipalities across Alberta, no matter how big or small they are,” said Lukaszuk. “Majority of Albertans are proud Canadians and we find support across the entire province. We want to make sure that everyone, no matter where they live, has an opportunity to show their pride in being Canadian.”

The visit comes following Premier Danielle Smith’s announcement that Albertans will vote in October on whether Alberta should remain a province of Canada or begin the constitutional process required to pursue separation.

According to Lukaszuk, many Albertans are questioning the need for the referendum and the cost associated with it.

“Most Albertans wonder why we are having a referendum asking a question whether we want another referendum on being Canadian,” he said. “Also, many Albertans are frustrated that this referendum will cost more than $90 million. This is the cost of building three schools or paving many highways.”

He added that many residents have expressed concerns about instability and division within the province.

“I frequently hear frustration that a small group of separatists is causing so much turmoil in this province, which is dividing families and causing investment instability in Alberta,” said Lukaszuk.

During discussions in Vermilion, Lukaszuk focused heavily on the impact Alberta separation could have on rural communities, particularly those tied closely to agriculture and energy production.

“Vermilion depends on oil, gas and agriculture revenue,” he said. “All these commodities are sold abroad under Canadian trade agreements. If Alberta was to separate, it would take decades to negotiate new agreements, gain access to Canadian ports and establish all the institutions that are associated with running a country.”

Lukaszuk outlined the scale of infrastructure and services that would need to be created in the event of separation, including border control, a military, embassies, banking systems, crop insurance programs, policing, postal services, and pension systems.

“All this would be extremely expensive and, while these services are being set up, Vermilion residents, like all Albertans, would be facing uncertainty for years,” he said.

He also noted concerns about the potential economic impacts on employment and housing throughout the province.

“Hundreds of thousands of Albertans, particularly those directly and indirectly employed by the federal government, would leave or would be relocated to other provinces. This would also cause sudden depreciation of the value of our houses,” said Lukaszuk.

Despite criticisms of separation, Lukaszuk emphasized that the Forever Canadian movement is not claiming Canada is without problems.

“My message is that Canada is not perfect, and there are issues that need to be fixed. However, separating is not the answer,” he said. “That would only cause more, much greater problems.”

He added that the organization plans to present concerns and recommendations directly to the federal government.

“We will be tabling a report with the Prime Minister identifying some issues that need to be fixed. However, we don’t believe that separating is the answer,” said Lukaszuk.

Lukaszuk also stressed the importance of agriculture, energy, and rural business in the ongoing discussions surrounding Alberta’s future.

“I believe that agriculture, energy and rural business is at the heart of the conversation,” he said. “It is rural Alberta that would be impacted negatively the most, as rural Alberta depends on Canada’s international relations and trade agreements.”

As the October referendum approaches, both supporters and opponents of Alberta separation continue to increase public engagement efforts throughout the province.