Alliance Fanatic Posted October 11, 2003 Report Posted October 11, 2003 Vive L'Alberta Libre! An interview with Bruce Hutton of the Separation Party of Alberta By Pete Vere web posted October 6, 2003 Over the past year, much has been written in the Canadian press concerning Western alienation. Nowhere is this sentiment more strongly felt than in Alberta – whose wealth and natural resources, many Albertans argue, has been plundered by central Canada since the time of confederation. As many Albertans have begun to discuss separation from Canada, the rest of Canada is finally taking notice. Recently, I had the opportunity to catch up with Bruce Hutton. Bruce is a proud Albertan who is currently organizing a founding convention of the Separation Party of Alberta for later this month. Vere: To begin, why an Alberta separatist party? Hutton: We cannot facilitate change under the current political system. For example, we've tried since 1874 to facilitate change with senate reform with no success. History dictates that there is just no chance for meaningful or successful change within the Canadian political system. The West has made nineteen attempts at senate reform in the last hundred years with not a single solitary change to show for it. More importantly, confederation is an economic drain on Alberta. Ottawa continues to syphon off our excess revenues on oil and gas. What scares me as an Albertan is that these are non-renewable resources. If we don't use excess oil and gas revenue to diversify Alberta's economy today, then we will become a have-not province tomorrow. Vere: How does Western alienation factor into this? Hutton: Western alienation is a pretty large factor in all this. It brings a lot of separatists to the table. If we cannot facilitate change from within, then the only intelligent thing for us to do is get out. We've been trying to get into confederation for over a hundred years. It isn't working. Central Canada and Ottawa just don't want us. Vere: So they want Alberta's resources, but not Alberta's citizens? Hutton: Yes. This has been the history of the West – not just Alberta – since North America was discovered. We've been the hewers of wood and packers of water. Vere: But given the presence of the Alberta Tories and the Alberta Alliance, isn't there a danger of splitting the conservative vote in Alberta? Hutton: The right is always split. Yet none of these fractions offer a viable alternative. They are singing the same tune in that they all call for change, but there is no plan on how to actually bring about change when central Canada is so hostile to it. Vere: How strong is separation sentiment among Albertans? Hutton: There's been a few polls. One said 24 per cent of Albertans want to seriously consider it; another said 44 per cent want to discuss it. That's a huge voting bloc. Vere: Does your party advocate a constitutional monarchy, a republic or some other form of replacement government? Hutton: We haven't made any formal decisions yet. I imagine this will be decided at our upcoming founding convention. It may be a republic, a canton system or a constitutional democracy. These are alternatives being bandied about right now. However, I don't think it will be another monarchy. Vere: Why not just hook up with the United States? Hutton: Because it makes no difference whether we give our money to Ottawa or to Washington; we're just jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. We need to use our money to diversify Alberta's economy before we become a have-not province. We have no end use manufacturing in Alberta right now. When the oil and gas are gone, we immediately become a have-not province. And there's no question that oil and gas will either become obsolete or completely depleted in the future. Alberta has carried the have-not provinces, of which there are currently eight, for some time now without any return on our investment. Last year we gave 9.98 billion dollars more than we took in. It cost Albertans nearly 10 billion dollars to remain Canadian last year. That's five hundred dollars for every foot of the Trans-Canada highway. It simply isn't worth it, especially when the West remains politically locked out of confederation. Vere: Have you received much interest concerning your upcoming founding convention? Hutton: There's interest. As one former Alberta premier said: "if Albertans haven't suffered enough, they have a God given right to suffer more." Personally, I feel that Albertans haven't suffered enough. In other words, life is good right now, but we don't truly understand the long-term negative consequences of remaining within confederation. Vere: Were do you stand on social conservative issues? Hutton: Our message is not left, right or center. There is room for diversity within the party, although we are right of center. Our message is economic. Quite frankly, there are currently no parties with any political conviction. They lead by looking over their shoulders to see what direction the public is going. Vere: We certainly appreciate you taking the time to answer a few questions. On a concluding note, how does one find out more about the Separation Party of Alberta? How would an interested Albertan become more involved? Hutton: The easiest way to get a basic understanding of the party is to visit our website at www.SeparationAlberta.com. Our founding convention is also coming up at the end of October and we're looking for concerned Albertans to attend and share their input as to what direction we need to take. Please visit our website for more information on the convention, or you can email us at [email protected]. Vere: Thank-you very much for taking the time to answer our questions. Hutton: You're welcome. Pete Vere, JCL is a canon lawyer and a Catholic social and religious commentator from Sudbury, Ontario. He now writes from Florida, where he and his family enjoy no state income tax along with life within walking distance of the Gulf of Mexico. His work has been published in numerous Canadian and American Catholic publications. Quote "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others" - George Orwell's Animal Farm
Pellaken Posted October 11, 2003 Report Posted October 11, 2003 the party wants to ban porn, and terminate the human rights bill. seems pretty right wing to me Quote
Cameron Posted October 12, 2003 Report Posted October 12, 2003 Going right, soon to do the loop and approaching left Quote Economic Left/Right: 3.25 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.26 I want to earn money and keep the majority of it.
Jerry Potts Posted October 13, 2003 Report Posted October 13, 2003 the party wants to ban porn, and terminate the human rights bill.seems pretty right wing to me Really. You must be very insightful because somehow you managed to read this in to an interview where nothing of the above sort was mentioned? Hmmmm. You seem pretty left wing to me. the party wants to ban porn, and terminate the human rights bill. I challenge you to present one shred of evidence to prove what you stated is true. Unless you can back up your codswallop with FACT, not bluster, hearsay and conjecture, perhaps you had better stick to your potato politics. Quote
Jerry Potts Posted October 13, 2003 Report Posted October 13, 2003 BTW Alliance Fanatic, What is the original source on this interview? Can you post a link? Thanks... Quote
Alliance Fanatic Posted October 13, 2003 Author Report Posted October 13, 2003 Here's the link to the website http://www.enterstageright.com/ Quote "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others" - George Orwell's Animal Farm
Kai Hawatari Posted October 14, 2003 Report Posted October 14, 2003 Well, I don't think they have a chance. Quebec tried this and they had MUCH more reasoning then the Albertans do. I mean, the cultural gap is a big thing for the average voter, but money from the economy doesn't really hit the average joe too hard. Banning porn? Well, I'm all for that. As for the human rights bill... I haven't read the full official version but I HAVE read the simplified no-degree-required version and it doesn't seem to be a fairly solid document anyway. Too much of it is too vague to be of any use. Almost like an advert for how great and free Canada is (not to say that it isn't), rather than actually stating rules. Maybe I'll make a thread about that. I don't have a clue if I'm right or not so it would be good to get some other opinions about it. Quote
Moderate Centrist Posted October 20, 2003 Report Posted October 20, 2003 Hello All, Just wanted to restate my position that Alberta Separatism is a joke and will never fly. Try selling it in Ft. McMurray - the Newfoundland of the west. Quote
Neal.F. Posted October 20, 2003 Report Posted October 20, 2003 the party wants to ban porn, and terminate the human rights bill.seems pretty right wing to me Banning porn is a great idea. Make it a criminal ofense to peddle porn, either by selling the filth in stores or online. While it is virtually impossible to stop internet porn, they can find out who is behind the sites, try them "in absentia" and ban them from doing business in the jurisdiction, and even entering therein. Drug dealers should be dealt with more harshly. As for killing the Trudeau charter of rights, GOOD. that thing has enabled the axis of civil libertarians, left wing special interests and trial lawyers to use the courts to trump elected officials, and is doing immense damage to the country. Alberta separation might fly, if the liberals (whether the be Liberals, PROGRESSIVE conservatives, or NDP) keep promoting immoral legislation. Quote
Moderate Centrist Posted October 20, 2003 Report Posted October 20, 2003 While pornographic consumption is not something that really interests me any attempt to ban it is a waste of time. Like most crimes of vice the fault lies primarily with the public. If you don't like porn or are offended by it - don't watch, read or buy it. Works for me. I actually agree with laws to make it more difficult to purchase pornography but again, banning it is politically unwinnable. Back to Alberta Separation - won't work. Quote
westcoast99 Posted October 20, 2003 Report Posted October 20, 2003 (edited) Banning porn is a great idea. As MC said, if you don't like it, don't buy it. This is a free country, we're not in North Korea. Edited August 11, 2015 by Gugsy Quote
Neal.F. Posted October 20, 2003 Report Posted October 20, 2003 Porn is harmful. It's not simply a "choice" . There's no "I'm OK , you're OK" It is the leading cause of marriage breakups. It causes people to be looked on as objects or receptacles, as opposed to human beings. It is degrading , and thus should be banned, and its purveyors face criminal charges. We, asa society ban or curtail many things that are considered harmful. Thgis shoudl be no different.... Oh...how clumsy of me!!!! IF porn is indeed a leading root cause of divorce, then OF COURSE the slimy lawyers that run this country don't want to ban something that keeps their brethren specialized in matters of divorce busy... and rich. Quote
Alliance Fanatic Posted October 20, 2003 Author Report Posted October 20, 2003 I am against banning pornography, sodomy, or anything to that nature. I feel what you do in your own home is your own business. However I draw the line when people try to force their lifestyles on other people. I am against gay rights, gay marriage, and a pride TV. I am also dead set against sex ed programs, due to the fact that its the parents business to talk to thier kids about sex. One more point to make is that most teens have viewed pornography, online, or have bought a magazine like Playboy, Hustler, Penthouse, etc. Quote "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others" - George Orwell's Animal Farm
Neal.F. Posted October 20, 2003 Report Posted October 20, 2003 AF, Banning those things may not be electorally popular but it is the RIGHT ( and to the right) thing to do. However, I agree with you that homosexuals ought to keep what they do behind closed doors. I don't like it when heteros are all over each other in public either. A bit of decorum is in order. If you have laws against sodomy, adultery and the like, you know that they cannot be enforced. the point is, having them on the books is a declaration by society that we have high standards, and these types of behaviour are not acceptable. By legalizing things like that we are in effect lowering the bar, instead of raising it. Quote
Hugo Posted October 20, 2003 Report Posted October 20, 2003 The age-old voices of morality have been mostly crushed by secular humanism and by proponents of religion who seek to make it "popular" by being "progressive." Hand-in-hand with that, it has become the case that the question "is it moral?" has been largely replaced by "is it legal?" in our society, and legality has become de facto moral approval. Therefore, I cannot applaud while the secular state and bleeding-heart liberals decide that good morals are henceforward to include drug abuse, pornography, pedophilia, incest, infanticide, sexual deviancy, prostitution and all kinds of profiteering from human misery, suffering and death. If the Separation Party of Alberta wants to ban porn, and terminate Trudeau's myopic, egregious and thoroughly wrongheaded notions of human rights, great! Where can I pledge money? Quote
SirRiff Posted October 20, 2003 Report Posted October 20, 2003 when you start bashing porn you know you are desperate for votes. no province can seperate without a war. the nova scotia fishermen against the alberta pipe fitters. why is it that people always assume that just changing to anythign else but what we have will solve the problem? as if there wouldnt be divorce, or porn, or civil rights abuses in a seperated province. and as if progressive civil rights have caused people to cheat on each other and all the other problems of society. sirriff Quote SirRiff, A Canadian Patriot "The radical invents the views. When he has worn them out the conservative adopts them." - Mark Twain
Moderate Centrist Posted October 20, 2003 Report Posted October 20, 2003 Neal, I don't dispute that pornography may be harmful. I simply don't care. Laws restricting its access are fine with me but an outright ban won't work. However - the public itself is largely to blame. No one forces people to purchase or watch pornography. Pornography exists because there is profit in it - people want it. Pehaps this topic would be best discussed in another threat. However if taking this position will make the Alberta Separatist party appear worse than it already does I hope they go for it. Quote
Alliance Fanatic Posted October 20, 2003 Author Report Posted October 20, 2003 Pornography should be allowed. To tell you the truth pornography has been around forever. The only difference was that nobody openly talked about looking at playboy, or a soft-core porn. Now it is being introduced as mainstream. As for sodomy, adultery, and the rest of it. It should be allowed, for it should be a little bit harder to get a divorce, or else marriage will turn into a joke. As for homosexuality, do whatever you want in your bedroom, but dont have a parade in my town. Quote "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others" - George Orwell's Animal Farm
Jerry Potts Posted October 21, 2003 Report Posted October 21, 2003 Considering the amount of rhetorical masturbation and ego-stroking that goes on on this site, I thought you folks would endorse pornography 100%. However if taking this position will make the Alberta Separatist party appear worse than it already does I hope they go for it. How does the "Alberta separatist party" look bad? Elaborate. Quote
Black Dog Posted October 21, 2003 Report Posted October 21, 2003 Porn is harmful. It's not simply a "choice" . There's no "I'm OK , you're OK" It is the leading cause of marriage breakups. It causes people to be looked on as objects or receptacles, as opposed to human beings. It is degrading , and thus should be banned, and its purveyors face criminal charges. The leading cause of divorce, according to research is financially related stress. Infidelity is in second place. AF, Banning those things may not be electorally popular but it is the RIGHT ( and to the right) thing to do. According to whom? Quote
Craig Read Posted October 25, 2003 Report Posted October 25, 2003 Alberta sends $9000 per household to fund the rest of socialised, effiminized, post modern Canada. Time for the Albertans to either Re-Confederate or leave, and if they leave, make damn sure they take the oil with them. Quote
Moderate Centrist Posted October 25, 2003 Report Posted October 25, 2003 How does the "Alberta separatist party" look bad? Jerry PottsWell as far as I'm concerned any party that wants to break up the country looks bad. It doesn't really matter. Alberta Separation is a joke. As far as I'm aware it's only supported by a small faction of right wing nuts. The other thing to remember is Alberta did nothing on it's own. It is where it is today due to it's partnership with Canada and the labour pool and resources it has been able to draw on from across the country. There are a great number of people living in Alberta who are not originally from there and who will have a say in any separatist issue. Anyway - won't work period. Quote
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