AH Challenge: Western Separatism in Canada takes hold

Inspired by the "No Trudeau" thread, I started to wonder if separatism in Western Canada could become a significant force. In 1982, Gordon Kesler of the separatist Western Concept Party won a seat in Alberta's legislature in a by-election, but lost his seat months later in the 1982 general election and that the closest the separatists got to assuming power. There are still a few secessionist/annexationist movements in Alberta but they are mostly sitting on the fringes.

So without further ado, with a POD of 1950, make separatism a political force in Western Canada. A brownie to anyone who includes a referendum, and a whole pan of brownie if they make it Pierre Trudeau's fault.
 
Inspired by the "No Trudeau" thread, I started to wonder if separatism in Western Canada could become a significant force. In 1982, Gordon Kesler of the separatist Western Concept Party won a seat in Alberta's legislature in a by-election, but lost his seat months later in the 1982 general election and that the closest the separatists got to assuming power. There are still a few secessionist/annexationist movements in Alberta but they are mostly sitting on the fringes.

So without further ado, with a POD of 1950, make separatism a political force in Western Canada. A brownie to anyone who includes a referendum, and a whole pan of brownie if they make it Pierre Trudeau's fault.
Never forget that Alberta is ... well, Alberta. The only part of Canada that belongs in Texas.

If Quebec separated, Ontario would be even more dominant in the rest of Canada which would lead to greater regional strains.

However, I'm not sure 'the west' would separate. Remember that SK, MB and BC vote in NDP governments on occasion, and Alberta is pretty thoroughly conservative (especially in Canadian terms).
 
I think the biggest mistake here is to assume that the West is uniform. Any hatred towards Toronto we (or MB or Sack) have would instantly transform into hate of Calgary if anything like a Western Canada ever materialised.
 
Top