Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Albertans said they felt more “respected” in Canada.
The annual study, which gauges opinion on everything from the economy to climate change, found that significantly fewer people in the western provinces — particularly Alberta and Saskatchewan — felt alienated in the Canadian federation than a year ago.
On the question of whether or not the West gets so few benefits from confederation they should “go it alone,” only 43 per cent of Albertans agreed, compared to a historic high of 56 per cent in 2019. Attitudes toward “going it alone” similarly declined 41 per cent in Saskatchewan, down from 53 per cent last year. Drops in separtist sentiment were seen in Manitoba and B.C. as well.
“The 2020 survey suggests that, rather than continuing to grow, support for the West going it on its own actually decreased over the year,” the survey’s authors wrote. Separatist sentiments in 2019 buoyed the rise of the “western exit,” or “Wexit,” movement, which advocated for partial or even full separation from Canadian federation. The day after the October federal election, hashtags like #albertaseparation and #wexit were trending on social media, and in ensuing weeks Wexit rallies in support of new separatist parties at the provincial and federal level drew hundreds of supporters across the prairies.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Very hard to believe this story': Iran report blaming mistakes for military's downing of PS752 dismissedIranian authorities initially denied responsibility, only changing course days later after Western nations presented extensive evidence that Iran had shot down the plane
Read more »
Morning Update: Ottawa did not enforce protections for migrant farm workersPoll shows majority of Canadians support more aggressive measures toward China
Read more »
Despite Liberal WE Charity apologies, opposition call for answers and action for studentsFederal opposition parties are continuing to demand answers from the federal government, and are calling for a quick solution to revive or rework the now-halted $900 million student summer grant program which was initially awarded to WE Charity.
Read more »
Opposition says Liberal government should have put $900-million into Canada Summer Jobs programThe opposition says doing so would have avoided the numerous problems that have plagued the student volunteer program, including the fact participants will receive less than minimum wage for each hour worked
Read more »
Leslyn Lewis's plan to be the social conservative candidate all voters can embraceShe's the first-ever woman of colour vying to lead the Tories and her platform emphasizes fairness within the Conservative Party, a pushback against political correctness and a repeal of Liberal policies
Read more »