The Canadians who want out

Kristi Lee (0:00)

Hi there, I hope you're well. We're working on the next episode, but in the meantime, a bit of a treat for you. Couple of weeks ago, I told you about a new investigative podcast called Separation Anxiety, The Alberta Referendum, which Canadian True Crime has proudly helped to fund and support. Well, today, I am so excited to share the entire first episode, completely ad free, for Canadian True Crime listeners. It's important to me to boost this important grassroots journalism about an issue that has implications for all Canadians. And with only 10 days to go until the referendum, the story has only become bigger.

In the last week, Canadians learned that Alberta Separatists had traveled to Washington DC looking for US support, floating possible deals involving Alberta's oil and fresh water, according to the Globe and Mail. We also learned that Separatists have been getting advice from Republican strategists in the US about how to find more supporters and get them to vote. We learned that First Nations leaders have been organizing voter registration drives and rallying support of their own, with a warning that if people don't make their voices heard by voting, others will make the decision for them. And sure, the polls say Separatists are not the majority, but low voter turnout in the province I live in has resulted in a situation that is not at all optimal. So it's something worth understanding and paying attention to. And also this week, a Separatist party won the Quebec provincial election. So this whole separation thing is about much more than provincial politics and what makes the investigation by award-winning journalists Danielle Paradis and Tim Querengesser for Separation Anxiety so interesting.

They spent the summer traveling around Alberta, meeting the ordinary, everyday people who want to leave Canada. Listening to their frustrations, their hopes and their reasons for believing independence is the answer. But there's also a bigger picture. How did this movement gain so much influence? Who's helping to drive it? And what could all of this mean for the rest of the country?

Just want to clarify that this episode is not a replacement for the usual Canadian True Crime episodes. We're sharing it ad-free because we are proud of the independent journalism behind it and we love for more people to hear what has been uncovered.

So here is episode one of Separation Anxiety. It's called Among the Separatists. I hope you find it as interesting as I did because episodes two and three are available now. See the show notes for more information about how to listen and subscribe. Thanks again and I'll see you soon.

Dennis Young (2:55)

If you put it in terms of prosperity, Cambla is our adversary.

Cathy Flett (3:00)

What it would mean to be an Albertan is the opportunity to have a dream and go after it again.

Scott Russell (3:05)

If we didn't have to give like 330 billion, it's the last closest numbers I've read about equalizing agreements. I'm sure a lot of people have.

Dani Paradis (3:19)

We have a path.

Tim Stevens (3:21)

And the path forward is a freedom dependent Alberta.

SPEAKER_7 (3:26)

I want to talk to those who are on the fence, those who are still not decided. Longing for the nostalgia of the Canada that they wish was still alive, the Canada they grew up in.

Tim Querengesser (3:42)

This is Separation Anxiety.

On October 19th, Albertans will find 10 referendum ballots in voting booths. One will ask if the province should hold a binding referendum on whether to leave Canada. I'm Tim Querengesser. I'm an independent journalist who's written about Alberta politics for 15 years.

Dani Paradis (4:05)

I'm Dani Paradis, an independent Métis journalist who covers Alberta politics and Indigenous issues. I'm also an assistant professor at McEwen University in Edmonton. Now, Tim, we've always collaborated as journalists. Our brand is to look at Alberta a little bit differently than others.

Tim Querengesser (4:23)

We have, and Dani, you've gone on to create award-winning podcasts without me, like The Place That Thaws with APTN.

Dani Paradis (4:30)

But I always come back. Tim, you write about Alberta for The Walrus, The Globe and Mail, and even international magazines and newspapers, but this is new for us.

Tim Querengesser (4:40)

To get here, Separatists gathered more than 220,000 signatures supporting the question, Do you agree that the province of Alberta should cease to be a part of Canada to become an independent state? A provincial judge quashed the petition because the province had a duty to consult with First Nations, but they didn't. Alberta Premier Daniel Smith then created a new referendum about whether to hold a referendum, but it isn't binding. Smith says a majority vote will trigger a full-fat referendum on separation.