WESTLOCK - The results of the October federal election that saw Justin Trudeau’s Liberals return to power with a minority government, set off a flurry of separatist sentiment in Alberta, and it’s not going away any time soon.
In fact, the formation of a new provincial party, Wexit Alberta, is in its initial stages and supporters are currently collecting signatures from around the province to make it a reality. On Tuesday, Dec. 17, organizer Todd Wayne will be in front of the Westlock Canada Post Office from 2 to 8 p.m. to collect those signatures on his way to the required amount of 7,868.
“I’ll have my sign up on my vehicle and I’ll have the paperwork they’ll need to sign for anybody to wants to sign it,” he said.
Not quite ready to talk policy, Wayne said his focus in the next few months will be getting those signatures, which is a requirement of Elections Alberta.
“That will give us, and all Albertans, the opportunity to have another choice on the ballot in the next election,” said Wayne, adding that a signature does not result in membership in the party, or even imply support.
“All we’re focused on right now is the signature drive to help get registered party status. After that, we’ll have a leadership race, then we’ll have an AGM and at the AGM we’ll focus on policy and platform, and the members are going to have their say in that.”
One can be certain that economic liberty, social stability and self-determination of all Albertans will be top of mind.
“We’re going to give Albertans what they want,” said Wayne, a Red Seal steamfitter by trade, who developed a knack for politics just in the last year or so.
Wayne was a candidate for the Alberta Independence Party in Edmonton-Castle Downs during the provincial election campaign last spring and was on the executive board of the party as the constituency association director.
He has since left in favour of forming Wexit Alberta after what he called “a hostile take-over by certain individuals who were not very forthright.”
A post on the Wexit Alberta Facebook page, which boasts more than 35,000 followers, states the reason the fledgling political party is unwilling to merge with the Alberta Independence Party, who share the same desire to separate from Canada, is because “members of the AIP executive are under regulatory investigation for possible elections and criminal violations.”
Wayne said he foresees gaining the needed signatures relatively quickly, at least well ahead of the next provincial election and being fully prepared to go head-to-head with the UCP and the NDP. He’s not worried about splitting the separatist vote because he doesn’t suspect the AIP will survive that long, and he’s not concerned about splitting the conservative vote and allowing the NDP to come up the middle.
“I seriously, seriously doubt the NDP will come anywhere near us. This next election is going to be UCP versus Wexit, mark my words,” said Wayne, who encouraged voters to seek the party out on social media.
Should you happen to miss Wayne at his Westlock stop local supporter Sharon Schinck is also in possession of the paperwork and can be reached via Facebook and is willing to meet up at your convenience. She stresses that she is not an official organizer, but believes in the separatist cause.
“That’s the only reason I’m willing to help is because I believe that we need our voice back. I have children, and they’re going to have to grow up in this and it’s not something they should grow up in,” said Schinck, who said she may be interested in an official position should a local constituency association come about.
“I don’t mind standing behind a good cause and this is something that affects all of us.”
