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Or sign-in if you have an account.An Alberta flag is held aloft outside of the Alberta legislature building on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts /PostmediaWhen I first went to Ottawa as a member of Parliament, I didn’t go there because I believed the system was working. Quite the opposite.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorLike many Albertans, I was frustrated. Western Canada was too often ignored, our industries were misunderstood and decisions affecting our livelihoods were being made by people who had little understanding of how this country actually works outside Central Canada.The sense of alienation in Alberta was real then, and in many ways, it remains real today.This newsletter from NP Comment tackles the topics you care about. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays)By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againBut I also believed something else: Canada was worth fighting for.I believed Alberta’s answer was not to walk away from Confederation, but to demand a better deal within it. That was the mission of the Reform movement and later the Conservative movement that many of us helped build. We went to Ottawa to change Canada — and in many ways, we did.We fought for democratic reform, lower taxes, balanced budgets, Senate reform and a greater voice for Western Canada. We challenged the old Laurentian consensus that treated Alberta primarily as a revenue source rather than a partner.The progress was not always immediate, and it was never easy. But change happened.Canada became more competitive. Taxes were lowered. Federal finances were repaired. Western Canadians gained influence at the cabinet table and within national politics. And Alberta’s energy sector became the economic engine of Canada, creating jobs and opportunities from coast to coast.None of this happened because Alberta gave up on Canada.It happened because Albertans engaged with Canada and fought to improve it.That history matters now more than ever.Across the province, frustration is growing. Many Albertans feel disrespected by federal policies that hurt jobs and investment, while decisions affecting Western Canada are too often made by people disconnected from life here.Those frustrations are real and understandable.But anger alone is not a governing vision.Grievance is not an economic strategy.And separation would not solve the fundamental challenges Alberta faces. In fact, it would create enormous uncertainty at precisely the moment we should be focused on growth and opportunity.The world is changing rapidly, and Alberta is uniquely positioned to succeed. From energy and agriculture to technology and innovation, our province has the resources, talent and entrepreneurial spirit to drive growth, strengthen Canada’s economy and help meet rising global demand for reliable energy and food security.The question is not whether Alberta has a future.The question is whether we approach that future with confidence or with resentment.I choose confidence.I choose the belief that Alberta can continue shaping Canada rather than abandoning it.I choose the belief that this country is still capable of reform and renewal, just as it was when many of us went to Ottawa decades ago.Those promoting separatist ideas are pushing Alberta down a dangerous path that risks dividing our province, weakening our economy and undermining the freedoms and democratic traditions generations of Albertans helped build.That’s not a path to strength or stability. It’s a path to economic uncertainty, political division, and cultural fracture. Instead of spending the next generation fighting each other, we should put that energy into building a stronger Alberta within a better Canada.Recently, I launched Vote to Stay — a non-partisan organization intent on mobilizing Albertans who believe our province’s future is stronger within Canada, and on engaging respectfully with those who may disagree.If you believe Alberta should stay in Canada and continue leading the country in energy, innovation and opportunity, I encourage you to visit VotetoStay.ca and pledge your vote today.The future of Alberta should be decided by hope and opportunity — not anger and grievance.National PostMonte Solberg is the founder of Vote to Stay, the CEO of New West Public Affairs, a partner at SHIFT Media Strategies, and Canada’s former Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and Human Resources and Social Development. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. 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