Following the recent federal election, the Liberals have been shut out of Alberta and Saskatchewan which is helping to fuel a growing separation movement.
A Western exit from Canada has been dubbed “Wexit” with a website and social media presence.
Canadian Politics professor Mario Levesque says the Liberals previously had some support in the two Prairie Provinces – but not anymore.
“What we see now is a lot of concern coming out of those two provinces about issues that impact them. It is specifically about the energy sector and the desire to get pipelines built,” he notes.
Levesque says he doesn’t see the “Wexit” movement as being very productive noting how pipelines don’t get built overnight and it could take upwards of 20 years to get a pipeline built.
He questions why more didn’t happen during the nine years of the Stephen Harper government and notes how current Alberta premier Jason Kenney had several high profile positions in his cabinet.
Levesque says a process for pipelines must be followed and that includes consultations with all stakeholders including First Nations.
Ultimately, he believes more work can be accomplished by working together instead of talk about separation.
