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Alberta Statehood
Can Albertans think outside the traditional Canadian perspectives and become the “freest place on earth?” A conversation on the potential of Alberta to become an independent state, country, or the 51st state of the USA. Some of the immediate steps Alberta could take to strengthen its current position include following the Quebec model for collecting taxes, an independent pension plan for the province, as well as the creation of its own police force. In the larger quest for independence, would healthcare ultimately prove a dealbreaker for Albertans? Does the best option for the province lie south of the border, where an already robust republican form of government provides the calibre of checks and balances the Canadian Westminster system does not? Is reform of Canada an option? According to Prof. Bruce Pardy, the hope of reform “in any kind of fundamental way” is minimal given the many vested interests committed to the status quo. “The best shot,” he says, “is for Alberta to save itself,” and by doing so, “save Canada”.
Charting Alberta’s Independence and Canada’s Post-Monarch Future
The Trump tariff threat combined with years of grassroots’ dissatisfaction with Canada’s political climate has set the stage for change. The possibility of reorganizing or rethinking Canada’s governance structure is increasingly part of the national conversation, particularly the potential for Alberta to become independent. What would that process look like? In terms of leadership, host Jason Lavigne points to the prospect of an unelected head of government (Mark Carney if he becomes the new leader of the Liberal Party) joining the unelected head of state (King Charles). An alternative to that is a government by the people, for the people—the mission of the Not My King initiative, launched in Canada by Lavigne, to address the legal steps required to change Canada from a constitutional monarchy to a democratic one. Does the taste for change extend this far? Is the momentum for something different an opportunity we need to seize on now? “Yes,” says professor Bruce Pardy.
The Fix Is In: How the Liberals Are Rigging the System
Juno News Podcast: Host Candice Malcolm looks at the disqualification of Liberal leadership candidate Ruby Dhalla, who learned she was dropped from the race during a live CBC interview. The day before, a senior Liberal strategist appeared on CBC and told viewers she hoped the Liberals would find “a legitimate reason to disqualify Dhalla” because of the threat she posed to frontrunner Mark Carney and that she would turn the debates into “a circus.” How did the CBC come to know before Ruby Dhalla herself did about her disqualification? Why would contentious conversation during the debate pose a threat to Carney? Isn’t that what debates are for?
Law professor Bruce Pardy is invited to discuss the mirage of democracy in Canada and the serious challenges with the country’s political system, how anti-Americanism and President Trump’s rhetoric is helping the Liberal Party, and Canada’s current temperature reading: serious trouble.
State Singularity Is Dominating All Aspects of Our Lives
The News Forum | Canadian Innovators: Host Catherine Swift is joined by law professor Bruce Pardy to discuss the concept of “state singularity”. A metaphor, borrowed from physics, Prof. Pardy describes “state singularity” as the moment when the state and society become indistinguishable. In this increasingly eminent scenario, it becomes difficult to differentiate between the actions of the state and the society it governs. We can see how the influence of the state has come to dominate all aspects of life, business, and public policy, leaving little room for voluntary organizations to function effectively. In the context of “Canadian Innovators,” the expansion of state power makes it challenging to open and run businesses, as the state, under the guise of caring for society, imposes numerous regulations and controls. Entrepreneurs, who should be seen as leaders to “better pastures,” are instead treated as enemies to be contained. This conversation is spread over two bite-sized parts.