'It's too little, too late:' Alberta separatism simmers at Conservative convention after Pierre Poilievre leadership victory

“There are no more last chances. We’re done. So that’s how the majority of people in our movement feel.”

Rath spoke to the Star the morning after Poilievre addressed party faithful in a nearly hour-long address. He received a ringing endorsement several hours later, when the Conservatives declared that 87.4 per cent of eligible delegates had voted in a leadership review to keep Poilievre at the Conservative helm.

In his speech, Poilievre said it is imperative to “unite this country like never before” due to growing separatist movements in Alberta and Quebec, a “resurgence” he blamed on a decade of Liberal rule.

While polling has consistently shown separatism to be a minority view in Alberta — roughly three in 10 would be open to it, according to a recent Ipsos poll — numbers also show independence-minded voters are predominantly right leaning, presenting a thorny issue for the Conservatives.

Rath made headlines earlier this week after reports that he and other separatists had met with U.S. officials became more widely known.

The separatist groups to which Rath belongs are leading a signature campaign for a petition it hopes will push Alberta into an independence referendum. Thousands reportedly attended one such rally in Calgary on Monday.

Rath said the number of locals who attended that event surpassed the number of people who attended the Conservatives’ convention, which included delegates from across the country. About 3,100 people were registered to attend the convention, though numbers for the Calgary rally have not been independently confirmed.

“If you want to know where the energy and support for Alberta independence is, or (where) the support is politically in Alberta, the support is for Alberta independence, not for a renewal of the Conservative Party of Canada in Alberta,” Rath said.

He said he was not scouting for signatures at the convention.

Rath, wearing a cowboy hat and seated at a bar in the convention venue, was approached several times during the Star’s interview by Conservative convention members who applauded his efforts.

One woman said she had already signed the independence petition. Another said she had been to see Rath speak previously, but wondered whether separation would reduce the Conservatives’ seat count — the party currently has 34 Alberta MPs — and permanently install the Liberals in the prime minister’s office.

Rath said having a Conservative government in place might be beneficial during any potential separation process, but suggested that wouldn’t matter if Alberta is no longer a part of the country.

When asked why he was attending a convention replete with federal party supporters — Rath has previously said he has little time for Ottawa — Rath pushed back on the question.

“Well, are they? I mean, how many people — like the people that just came by to shake my hand — are canvassers for Alberta independence?” Rath said.

Separatism was not a dominant theme among convention-goers this week, but the sentiment does exist within the Conservative ranks, particularly in Alberta, where Poilievre is now an MP.

That means it’s an issue Poilievre cannot ignore, said Ben Woodfinden, Poilievre’s former director of communications.

“I think he correctly pins the blame on this resurgent separatism … on things that have happened in this country in the last 10 years. I think, honestly, that’s a good message for him. It’s a good message for this room,” Woodfinden told the Star on the convention floor.

Thomas Lukaszuk, a former Alberta deputy premier, is a foil to Rath, having recently led the Forever Canadian campaign that successfully gathered 456,000 signatures in support of Alberta staying in Canada.

He said that Poilievre’s argument that separatist sentiments are solely the fault of Liberal governments, was “ludicrous.”

“I sat in Alberta’s government as a Progressive Conservative during Liberal governments in Ottawa and Conservative governments in Ottawa, and there is no difference from an Alberta perspective,” he told the Star.

Garnett Genuis, an Edmonton MP, told the Star that he believes Poilievre can lead a country that everyone can see themselves in.

“I think what we see right now is rising separatist sentiment, not just here, but also in Quebec, and a Conservative vision of the country that is not centralizing, and that is respectful of the economic needs in particular in every region of the country, is one that will help unite our country,” Genuis said.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who spoke at the convention Saturday afternoon, did not address any of those sentiments in her remarks.

She congratulated Poilievre on his decisive leadership victory, and touted a number of policies he champions — like immigration, resource and infrastructure development, and bail reform — as evidence that he is the leader Canada needs.

The Conservative convention ends in Calgary Saturday.

With files from Alex Boyd