RED DEER—Jason Kenney warned Ottawa that one reason he’s fighting hard for a “fair deal” and promising a potential referendum is because separatist sentiment in Alberta could be capitalized on in the future. Quebec and Atlantic Provinces take up most of the payments — with Quebec receiving about $13 billion in the next year. “If we don’t see progress … then somebody’s going to come along and capitalize on that 50 per cent separatist sentiment in Alberta,” Kenney said. It might surprise Kenney to see how fast Quebec sovereigntists could come out of the woodwork as well, said Wesley. The strategy of proposing a referendum strikes Wesley as Kenney appealing to populism in Alberta and anger over the economy fuelling feelings of western alienation.

Source: thestar March 24, 2019 01:18 UTC