Federalists say Alberta's Conservative MPs are missing in action as separation referendum looms

Alberta’s one New Democrat and three Liberal MPs replied that they would vote to remain in Canada. But 25 Conservative MPs did not respond to the question, even after followup emails and phone calls. Of those 25 MPs, 22 have made comments on social media or in local newspapers supporting the province remaining in Canada since the referendum was announced in May.

The Star could find no public comments on the issue from three MPs: Blaine Calkins, Chris Warkentin and William Stevenson. Stevenson, however, told a local newspaper last year, before the referendum question was drafted, that he favoured a united Canada.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is not eligible to vote in the referendum, his office confirmed to the Star, but has said he plans to encourage Albertans “to stay as part of the Canadian family,”

Poilievre appointed MP Dane Lloyd as his point person on the referendum, and Lloyd has launched the group Conservatives for Canada to advocate for staying. 

But Thomas Lukaszuk, who heads up the federalist group Forever Canadian, said that seems to be the only step the federal Conservatives have taken. 

“That’s where it starts and that’s where it ends, because not one member of Parliament has contributed to the Forever Canadian movement in any way, or contacted us or appeared at any event,” he said. 

The Star did not receive a response to a request for an interview with Lloyd.

Lukaszuk, who served as a provincial cabinet minister in the Progressive Conservative governments of Ed Stelmach and Alison Redford, said his team includes former Reform Party and Liberal MPs, but that no Conservative MPs or members of Alberta’s legislative assembly from the governing United Conservative Party have been involved. 

Stephen Carter, a political organizer with the group Alberta’s Voice, says he believes some Conservative MPs have remained silent because they are afraid of the separatists in their own ranks. 

“They’re in the same position as UCP MLAs, which is how about half of their support comes from separatists, so they’re not saying anything,” Carter said.

“They are too fearful and too wanting to hold on to their jobs to stand up and speak truth to perceived power, which is the separatist movement.”

Among the Conservative MPs who replied to the Star was Edmonton’s MP Ziad Aboultaif, who said there is no doubt about how he will vote in the referendum. 

“While I am a proud Edmontonian and a proud Albertan, above all I am a proud Canadian. I strongly believe in a stronger Alberta in a united Canada,” Aboultaif wrote in an email. 

Calgary MP Tom Kmiec pointed to a lengthy post he has written on the issue, in which he argued that separation isn’t going to solve problems such as how the province’s economy has been treated, the need for Senate reform or changes to the federal government’s equalization payment program. 

“Separation does not fix a single one of these problems; it trades a fight we can win for a gamble we cannot undo,” Kmiec wrote. “Leaving would not punish Ottawa, it would surrender the very leverage and voice that have forced this country to reckon with the West before.”

Conservative MPs Stephanie Kusie, David McKenzie, Amanpreet Gill and Burton Bailey all told the Star they would vote for Alberta to remain in Canada. 

Their fellow MP Shannon Stubbs wants Albertans to make their own decisions, her office said in a written statement.

Stubbs “respects the democratic process and believes Albertans should have the opportunity to consider the question for themselves. She encourages every Albertan to take the time to read the question carefully and vote according to their own views and priorities for Alberta’s future,” the statement said. 

“MP Stubbs will be doing the same when she casts her own vote.”

Jason Kenney, the former Alberta premier and former federal Conservative cabinet minister, said “it should go without saying that Conservative Party of Canada MPs should be in the front of the parade.

“I would just encourage them all to be leaders in the cause of national unity.” 

Kenney also believes the political upside of opposing separation is obvious. 

“If Conservative MPs or the Conservative party looks at all soft about the threat of separatism, I think that risks alienating a lot of mainstream Albertans,” he said. 

In a provincial byelection last Monday, the UCP lost a seat to the NDP in a closely fought race. 

Kenney said that result should be a clear sign that supporting the referendum is a political liability. 

“This is a deeply, deeply conservative area, but the number-one issue right now is separatism and the referendum,” he said. “This was either Conservatives staying at home or voting for an alternative Conservative party, or even the Liberal party, or even the NDP to send a message of disaffection about this needless and divisive referendum.”

A report released Wednesday by the University of Calgary estimated that separation could cost Alberta between $50 billion and $170 billion over the first five years.