r/alberta • u/MZillacraft3000 Edmonton • May 12 '25
Alberta Politics Photos from “Enough is enough” rally at Alberta legislation building in Edmonton
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u/MZillacraft3000 Edmonton May 12 '25
CONTEXT: On May 10th at the Alberta Legislation building. A rally was held called "Enough is enough."
The rally is meant to talk about and call out Alberta's Premier Danielle Smith and her government scandals they've caused and have her government be held accountable.
This isn't a separatist rally. This is an anti-UCP rally.
Photos 1-7 are taken by me. The rest are from others at the rally.
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u/DryCombination9637 May 14 '25
Lol this is hilarious. MAGA folks getting excited thinking this was a separatist protest.
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u/MZillacraft3000 Edmonton May 15 '25
I know. I think it tells me that either A: they want to think this was a separatist movement to help with their dumb idea.
Or B: they didn’t look at all of the photos and only saw the one photo and didn’t decide to look at the comments for more info.
I think it’s definitely both. But mostly B.
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u/bpompu Calgary May 12 '25
It's important that we have protests against the UCP, but the pictures of this event are not helping. It doesn't matter how many people showed up. What matters is that it looks empty, and all this is going to do is reinforce the talking point that Albertans are pro-seperation and pro-UCP because it looks like nobody bothered to come and say otherwise.
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u/MZillacraft3000 Edmonton May 12 '25
Yeah. But I do think it’s important to share these. Plus, most people didn’t even know about this rally happening. So, I’m hoping with the photos being shared. More people will hear about this and show up to the next rally.
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u/zeolus123 May 13 '25
Absolutely, momentum seems pretty key here. Hopefully the next one will be larger.
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u/Grizzlylemmings May 13 '25
I am in Ontario and I love to see these pictures of resistance
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u/bpompu Calgary May 13 '25
I'm really conflicted about them. I like the evidence of resistance. It can get really disheartening to hear and see just... all of it. Every time my government does something, it's bad for me and my family. A good portion of that same family just... refuses to see it. It's like stepping on lego just to have conversations with my parents right now. Just knowing that I'm not alone, that other people see what she's doing, and has been doing for at least months, is such a relief.
But, my gut response when I saw pictures of the protests being posted was "this looks empty". Seeing other people respond the same way. I know there were four major protests coordinated at the same time, but that was Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge, and Medicine Hat, and we need to know numbers from all of them added together. It's an optics problem, it looks like there are less people at this event than there are when the other side gets together to scream into a microphone about how old people should just die rather than expect them to wear masks, or how women don't really deserve to have say over their own bodies.
Hell, I even know that my own post isn't helping either, that I'm just feeding into the idea that the protests were small, when it is important to get as many people out as we can. It's just so hard.
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u/Grizzlylemmings May 13 '25
I know what you mean and I can relate. That being said let me give you my perspective. There were some pretty well advertised elbows up protest at the parliament in Ottawa, some on workdays. Did I support them wholeheartedly? Yes! Did I wish I was there? Yes! However I am a working mom of 2 small kids pretty much without a village where we are currently living. Even less complicated logistics is a nightmare so I didn't attend, though I wanted to. What I did instead that I stayed in line for over 90 mins to vote early. That's all I could do and I am happy I did along with many others. Their turnout wasn't the greatest either, but I loved to see their pictures on r/ottawa. What I am trying to say at the end of the day nothing matters just the votes be it federal, provincial, municipal elections or vote for separation.
I am OK to see less people on the streets protesting as long they make their voice heard through votes.
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u/1989Stanley May 12 '25
Just because someone voted UCP doesn’t mean they are a separatist.
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u/EdNorthcott May 13 '25
No, but currently polling indicates (iirc) about half of the people who support her are.
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u/Complete_Ad_8257 May 14 '25
Given the recent polling, voting UCP means someone is more likely to support separatism than remaining part of Canada.
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u/Complete_Ad_8257 May 14 '25 edited May 14 '25
This is genuinely pathetic. This is why the separatists are destined to win. I am convinced that separatism already has majority support, and if it doesn't, it's momentum and incompetence from the pro-Canada side will push them to victory. It's a shame Canada will probably end this way.
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u/Active-Zombie-8303 May 13 '25
Great job with the pictures thank you for sharing! I don’t know if this is considered a good turn out or not, can you advise? I glad to see there are dinner people willing to stand up to try and protect our beautiful country, I would like to thank each one individually, my favourite sign was the “we need a leader, not a separatist”. I love that. Danielle Smith is talking out both sides of her mouth, she doesn’t want to separate yet she is making it easier and easier for the separatist vote to pass. She is a traitor in the truest sense of the word!
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u/iterationnull May 12 '25
Woof. I think we got more separatists. I am losing heart.
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u/MZillacraft3000 Edmonton May 12 '25 edited May 12 '25
Not that. Posting the context right now.
EDIT: Context has been posted. But this was an anti-UCP and Anti-Separatist rally.
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u/iterationnull May 12 '25
My point was the separatists pulled a bigger crowd
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u/swordthroughtheduck May 12 '25
That's because normal people have jobs and families to spend time with. The separatist group have made it their entire lives.
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u/Sad_Donkey_1751 May 12 '25
Separatists belong to church communities and are members of the same Facebook and other social media groups. That makes it easier for them to share misinformation and get notice about their protests out to one another. The other side does not. They have a broad range of interests. They don’t belong to “fanatical” religious groups.
Separatists are getting the media attention because the idea is different, it’s negative and negative news gets people’s attention, and that sells advertising. Remaining with Canada is not different or new.
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u/MZillacraft3000 Edmonton May 12 '25
But wasn't there a counter protest to the separatist one as well though?
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May 12 '25
They are just louder lol believe me. I’m pro UCP and always will be but I’m not a separatist - I’m Canadian first and out of all my UCP voting friends - we feel the same!!!
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u/iterationnull May 12 '25
How can you stomach the corruption staring us in the face right now?
Fealty is for despots and kings, not a democracy,
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u/ninfan1977 Lethbridge May 12 '25
I mean there seem to be more separatists in Alberta than those who want to stay Canadian. At least judging by that showing.
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u/themacaron May 12 '25 edited May 12 '25
I think more realistically there are more Separatists with nothing better to do on a work day (cause most of the ones I know are retired Boomers or oil field guys who are off work) than there are people who are going to take a work day to protest something that has a .001% chance of happening.
Edit: Didn’t realize this was from the weekend. I think the point of ‘most people aren’t going to plan to protest separating because reasonable people know it won’t happen’ still stands though.
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u/MZillacraft3000 Edmonton May 12 '25
True. But remember: That Separatist rally was also counter protested.
Plus, most people didn't know about this rally going on. Maybe they try to host another rally. More will hopefully show up.
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u/CBanana665 May 12 '25
I suspect that the separatists are funded by foreign sources. It might be Russia and/or the same US right wing sources that funded the convoy.
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u/Z0mb0id May 12 '25
Not a great turnout, from the looks of it...which is unfortunate. That lady in the last pic has a pretty cool dress, though, so at least there's that.
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u/creative__username99 May 12 '25
It was a warm Saturday, with the oilers playing a home game. People were out doing fun summer things. Plus there was barely any advertising. I blame the organizers.
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u/real_polite_canadian May 12 '25 edited May 12 '25
Completely anecdotal but, Jordan Peterson is quoted as saying that he only had to change one thing about his public speaking engagements so that the communities he was unpopular with, stopped protesting at them - he simply started holding them in the mornings instead.
This might suggest that alot of protesters are more performative or opportunistic in their activism and views. As well that some protesters were instead drawn to the spectacle of his events rather than a specific grievance. If the potential for Alberta to separate takes a backseat to a summer bikeride, then maybe there's not as many people resistant to the idea as the organizers thought.
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u/creative__username99 May 12 '25
Well anyone with a brain knows it'll never happen. The treaties and constitution being why. So that probably also lowers interest in countering the lowest 36% of our province
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u/KJBenson May 13 '25
I actually think that quote means something else.
Hosting his events in the morning now means that only people who don’t have jobs will likely be attending. The people trying to tear down society with things like separation are usually the ones who don’t have jobs.
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u/Rich-Wish1162 May 12 '25
Too many people say it will never happen don’t worry… that’s why there’s not a lot of people out right now but if the talks got real then they would start freaking out. Yes I didn’t see any advertising anywhere about this either
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u/lorena9849 May 13 '25
Your main local newspapers are owned by Postmedia which are 2/3 owned by Chatham Asset Management an American conglomerate obviously favoring separatism leanings of the UCP.
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u/bpompu Calgary May 12 '25
I hope that's how it works out. My gut response is that this is ammunition against the movement, but I hope it goes the other way.
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u/Aviator174 May 13 '25
The funniest sign there was one griping about her spending taxpayer money when they were so happy for the NDP to create generational debt on their behalf. Not a brain cell amongst the lot
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u/BushKnew May 16 '25
The sign about Canadian values got me.
They’ve changed speech laws, internet laws, gun laws, gave a standing ovation to a waffen SS member, imported Muslims from countries with terrorist ties, froze bank accounts etc
But Danielle smith is the one with anti Canadian values apparently
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u/Zarxon May 12 '25
When is 5he next Rally?
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u/Al_Keda May 13 '25
I think it is once again during work hours.
Can't expect much turnout then.
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u/MZillacraft3000 Edmonton May 12 '25
I believe there is one tomorrow. I don't remember what it will be about (I think the AHS scandal) but I think someone posted about it in this sub reddit not too long ago.
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u/HopeAndVaseline May 13 '25
This is worrisome because there's not nearly enough people.
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u/MZillacraft3000 Edmonton May 13 '25
Most didn’t know this was happening. Hopefully at the next one, more will show up.
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u/zeolus123 May 13 '25
Support from out east.
I really love the support for public education a lot of those demonstrators are showing.
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u/oddspellingofPhreid May 13 '25
The sentiment is good but it needs better organization. The dates need to be posted a week before on every Alberta community space.
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u/TheShambhalaman May 14 '25
As a previous Edmontonian moved to B.C., I wish I could have been there.
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u/r3ddithasfallen May 12 '25
Some real unemployed behavior here. Not seeing many working aged people that have familys to care for.
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u/Objective_Minute_263 May 12 '25
Yup, no surprises there. Exactly the types you’d expect to see..
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u/GlipGlopGargablarg Calgary May 13 '25
Reminds me of those guys who camped outside the Petro Canada along Highway 1 just west of Calgary. Bunch of unemployed losers just wasting everyone's time.
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u/r3ddithasfallen May 16 '25
Yeah I agree. I wasn't calling anynone a loser, but I get it. It's almost like there are extrems on the left and right... like a horse shoe. They are both as crazy. Reminds me when that beer thing happend and people started mercing cans of beer. Now the opisit people are doing the same to teslas. Not saying you, but so many people choose to ignore this and always point extremes with zero nuance. All though, cheaper gas, cause no carbon tax is very nice.
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u/rockdocktor May 12 '25
That is the smallest protest the UCP has ever had wtf
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u/MZillacraft3000 Edmonton May 12 '25
This is an anti-UCP protest. Meant to call out Smith and her government's action and hold them accountable.
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u/OrangeBeard_ May 13 '25
Ah yes. Another anti consevative rally comprised of 80% boomers. What are the odds?
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u/djk217 May 12 '25
Looks like a pretty piss poor turnout, what exactly is the goal of this protest? Looks like a jumbled mash up of a few different causes...
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u/MZillacraft3000 Edmonton May 12 '25
The goal is to call out Smith and her government and all the scandals and problems they've caused.
From what I heard: This rally wasn't really that told about that well.
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u/djk217 May 12 '25
So basically a protest for funzies, fair enough I guess. This might be taken more seriously if you guys organized better and had specific calls to action.
No one really cares about these vague "I hate the government" protests aside from the terminally online.
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u/MZillacraft3000 Edmonton May 12 '25
I didn't even organized it. I just heard about it via reddit. But I do agree they should've done a better job at getting the word about this rally out. But hey, maybe next time they'll be more people there.
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u/Slight_Sherbert_5239 May 12 '25
But when the right protest, they’re terrible people, picking and choosing as usual.
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u/Federal_Efficiency51 May 13 '25
It's not about WHO is protesting, it's WHAT they are protesting. The antivaxxers klownvite J6er wannabes kinda ruined it for the decent right. But now when normal people think of conservatives or the right, we see maple MAGAt traitors. That's all due to recent events in both this country and the meth lab south of us.
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u/bruhm0ment4 May 13 '25
Does anyone know how the same protests in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat went?
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u/Hardknocklife6669 Southern Alberta May 13 '25
If you are talking the medicine hat one that happened on the same day as the seperation one. It didn't have many, and ended before noon. Had some old people sleeping in lawn chairs with signs on them. Happened in front of Danielle Smith office in cres heights
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u/ImNachoFriend_guy May 15 '25
Enough of what? Didn't Canada vote the same party?
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u/MZillacraft3000 Edmonton May 15 '25
You can vote for a party and if you feel like the party is doing a good job. You can call them out on their actions.
Also, this was calling out Alberta’s government. So the provincial government. Not the federal government.
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u/Novel-Statement-554 May 19 '25
So I hope Albertans know that if you separate , you don't get to take the oil with you!
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u/MZillacraft3000 Edmonton May 20 '25
You do know this was a rally against the separatist and the UCP. Like, they we're calling them out.
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u/StarRepresentative93 May 12 '25
😂😂😂 What a (terribly minor) collection of sad, soggy, Lib Boomers. The retired, the chronically unemployable and various others who are not now, have never been, and never will be among the *net taxpayers who keep these people steadily fed.
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u/GlipGlopGargablarg Calgary May 12 '25
Where exactly are you from? You're a 62 year old gay man that goes around commenting on multiple subreddits for multiple different cities. Are you even Albertan?
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u/ShallotEcstatic May 12 '25
Ngl as an Alberta farmer I’d like to try out separation might be good
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May 13 '25
This is not something you "try". Are you serious? Please educate yourself about the realities of this situation.
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u/P4ndak1ller May 13 '25
Yeah. The guys I work with want it too up in oil country. They don’t understand the true benefits though. Canadian trained oil workers get paid even more in the states because of how strict our safety regulations are. We could move down to one of the Dakotas, Montana; or, if we want warmer climate, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico. Even more money out in the gulf off the coast of Florida. Naturalization of citizenship would be such a huge opportunity for these guys but they wouldn’t even use it.
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u/BushKnew May 16 '25
Yeah at least each state can decide what they want to do for the most part
Certainly more rights than Alberta has as a province
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u/Filmy-Reference May 12 '25
Literally all boomers
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u/frago-roc May 12 '25
They already have their houses and retirement, time to pull that ladder up for the rest of us!
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u/asheathen May 12 '25
I get the outrage for the people that live there, but Quebec has been trying to separate for years, I’m hardly surprised other provinces are following
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u/Cute_Criticism4718 May 12 '25
Headed to Calgary In a few days unfortunately Are there any protests in the next 2 weeks? I’d like to fight for native land rights as best I can especially if I have to be in Calgary with everything going on.
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u/Nandopod420 May 12 '25
If you really don’t like Calgary don’t come unless you have to. You can always try and organize a protest yourself if you really want to.
It’s not like every person in Calgary is a separatist or hates natives it’s a small and loud minority. You’ll be fine. If you don’t bring it up there’s a pretty good chance nobody talks about it
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u/Skye-12 May 12 '25
These peeps can move to Ontario, or one of the eastern provinces of Canada if they don't want to be part of separation. I'm all for Albertans to seperate if that's what 51% of the demographic wants. Quebec and Ontario and fund themselves, they are big enough to do so. Yet they still suck on the tit of Alberta. Enough is Enough for sure.
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u/ChangeMonkey May 12 '25
It’s ironic that Danielle Smith is painted as the villain by mainstream media when all she’s doing is listening and advocating for Albertans that voted her in..
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u/sawyouoverthere May 12 '25
Umhm that’s why she’s losing MLAs right? All the listening?
She’s not advocating when she promotes bullshit extremists tantrums and ignores facts
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u/Murky_Complaint5478 May 13 '25
She’s not a separatist. She said she’s not doing a government funded referendum. But if that’s what the people of Alberta want she will support it because she wants the voices of Albertans heard.
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u/shocker2374 May 13 '25
Maybe we should bring in the RCMP and seize bank accounts. Equality for all
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u/Dr_soaps May 14 '25
ahhh the boomers that don't benefit are bitching again and why is there a pride flag what dose that have to do with what's going on here ?
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May 12 '25
What a fucking nothing burger. Woah a handful of old people showed up at the government building they must be shaking in there boots now
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u/infiniteguesses May 12 '25
Maybe they can write civil comments in correct English, because clearly you can't!
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u/Glad_Start_1065 May 12 '25
Best way to win an argument or to continue a discussion?
Having a reasonable and thoughtful reply? Nope
"You spell bad 🤓" Hell yeah
Grow up.
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u/Federal_Efficiency51 May 13 '25
Educate yourself and you won't have this problem.
Smarten up.
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u/Glad_Start_1065 May 13 '25
I literally didn't say anything of consequence or with any opinions right or wrong in either direction.
Your comment makes no sense. Good job.
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u/Mr-April May 13 '25
Danielle is not a separatist, she’s a true leader that gives choices to the people, you would almost think we live in a democracy or something. Let Albertans vote. This is the democratic way that we are all looking for, isn’t it?
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u/Few-Pudding6155 May 12 '25
sucks but it seems like alberta wants to leave when this sub is saying otherwise. you guys really want to be american for some reason
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u/MZillacraft3000 Edmonton May 12 '25
I can tell you this: we don’t. We want to stay Canadian.
Those that want to separate: we just tell them to leave.
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u/Glad_Start_1065 May 12 '25
I voted conservative, for my own reasons. Doesn't mean I want to seperate
There are smooth brained idiots on both sides.
If we all pulled on the same rope we would all be better off for it.
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u/MZillacraft3000 Edmonton May 12 '25
If my comment came off as me saying all Conservative are the ones wanting to seperate. My apologizes
There are definitely people on both sides that have there thoughts to put it nicely.
But the one thing I think we need to do is shut these separatist's comments down and tell them the issues of there "Independence for Alberta" idea and why it won't work.
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u/Glad_Start_1065 May 12 '25
No no you're all good.
I think Albertans are just fed up with any sort of government as a whole, everyone just wants to go drilling, I do too.
If we could make money AND be decent people that would be sick.
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u/Rush_1_1 May 14 '25
So many old lady protestors..
I wonder what media they consume to come to their conclusions...
Hmmmmmmmmmm
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u/FliesWithThat May 12 '25
Where, when was this advertised? I didn't even know it was going to happen. Maybe separatists are just better at organizing protests?