RT @jrobkan: New from Daniel Westlake & I in @CJPS_RCSP 🇨🇦 We examine how Canadian politicians talk about their class backgrounds (occupati….

RT @ThomasHall17: Zelaya is wrong: gerrymandering is not possible in Canada because of how the electoral boundaries are redistributed every….

RT @VeldonCoburn: Alberta separatists ignore First Nations at their peril. They can leave Canada but they won’t be taking any territory wit….

RT @TheBreakdownAB: Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation ain’t having the separatists rhetoric from Smith or her ilk…. #abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli https:/….

But to be clear, unilateral secession is not possible.

AB would need to draft a constitution, create institutions like its own currency, military, and central bank, and define its immigration, foreign policy, etc.

AB could declare independence only after and if negotiations succeeded and constitutional changes were made. AB would then seek international recognition from countries and institutions like the UN and EU. Recognition would be crucial for entering into treaties, trade, diplomacy.

Indigenous peoples would be involved - indeed pivotal actors - in negotiations. Treaties cover most of AB’s territory which is seen as unceded Indigenous land for many First Nations. Questions of land title, governance, resource rights, jurisdiction would be central.

Much of AB is governed by treaties (treaties 6, 7, 8) and Indigenous peoples have rights under sec 35 of Constitution Act. Many Indigenous groups oppose the idea of AB separation, asserting their nation-to-nation relationship with Canada, not AB.

A prov could try to declare unilateral secession but this would be illegal under Cdn law and would not be recognized internationally. Recognition by other countries reqs Cdn consent, legitimacy of process, and good treatment of minorities, inclu Indigenous peoples.

Or possibly unanimous prov consent depending on the aspects of the Constitution affected.

Next, because secession reqs constitutional amendment, it would require agreement from Parliament and at least 7 provs representing at least 50% of popn (7/50 amending formula), making unilateral secession virtually impossible.

international treaties and defence, Indigenous sovereignty rights, especially as many lands in AB are under treaties with the Crown (most of AB actually).

If a clear majority favours, Canada has an obligation to negotiate, per 1998 Secession Reference. Secession is not automatic. Issues to negotiate inclu division of debt and assets, borders (inclu Indigenous lands), trade and currency arrangements, citizenship and mobility rights,.

Per 1998 SCC Quebec Secession Reference and 2000 Clarity Act, referendum requires clear, unambiguous ques and result must demonstrate clear majority in favour, not necessarily 50%+1 vote. SCC has stated clarity of question and strength of mandate matter.

Alberta separation discourse seems to be growing again post-election. This would be a complex, legally uncertain, and politically fraught process: first, AB would need a provincial referendum to secure a mandate to negotiate w/feds. Referendum would need several features 1/n.

Pierre Poilievre’s ‘More Boots, Less Suits’ election strategy held little appeal to women. From me today in @ConversationCA

RT @MarkJCarney: Someone who’s been convicted of violent offences — especially intimate partner violence — should not be allowed to own a g….

RT @SabreenaDelhon: VERIFIED is a project from @TheSamaraCentre that helps Canadians make sense of online political conversations during #E….

RT @RunChiNguyenRun: Thanks to @torontostar for the shoutout today - I couldn't be prouder to be running for the Liberal Party and @MarkJC….