Members of the media may directly contact the following experts on this topic:
André Lecours (English and French)
Full Professor, School of Political Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences.
Professor Lecours research and expertise include Canadian and Quebec politics, federalism and nationalism.
“Here is what we should watch for: the court decision around the Indigenous challenge to the petition and, ultimately, what will the Alberta government decide about the referendum on independence.”
Robert Falcon Ouellette (English and French)
Associate Professor, Faculty of Education.
As a former Liberal MP, Professor Ouellette can discuss Indigenous affairs, Canadian politics, Constitutional Law and human rights.
“Alberta separatism is not new. It tends to rise during periods when many Albertans feel economically or politically alienated from Ottawa, particularly around energy and resource issues. We saw this strongly during the National Energy Program in the 1980s, and similar frustrations are resurfacing today.
What makes the current moment different is the role of social media and foreign influence. Recent research suggests that inauthentic online networks and foreign-linked YouTube channels have been amplifying grievance narratives around Alberta separation, making the issue feel larger and more emotionally charged online.
From an Indigenous perspective, Alberta separation cannot simply be treated as a provincial political issue. Alberta is governed by Treaties 6, 7, and 8, which are agreements between First Nations and the Crown that predate the province itself. Any discussion of separation would inevitably raise major legal, constitutional, and treaty questions.
More broadly, the debate reflects a deeper question about belonging and representation within Canada. Many western Canadians want to feel heard and respected within Confederation, and that underlying frustration should not be dismissed even if separation itself remains unlikely.”
Patrick Fafard (English and French)
Full Professor, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, Faculty of Social Sciences.
Professor Fafard can discuss Canadian and Quebec politics, federalism and nationalism.
“The referendum petition calls for a referendum question on independence later this year, but this does not mean Alberta will become an independent country any time soon. There are numerous obstacles to overcome, not least of which polls suggest limited support for an independent Alberta. However, the rise of the independence movement in Alberta is a symptom of two more fundamental shifts in our politics.
First, the provincial government is taking a cautious position that reflects the fact that several members of the Conservative caucus and Cabinet support an independent Alberta. Second, support for separatism in Alberta is an expression of the fact that there, as elsewhere, a sizeable number of people who are deeply disaffected with the political system and seek radical change.”
Michael Bernard Wernick (English and French)
Part-time professor, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, Faculty of Social Sciences, and Jarislowsky Chair in Public Sector Management.
Professor Wernick’s research in Canadian politics includes governance and political decision making in Canada, foreign interference and cybersecurity and the Canadian economy.
“I think the biggest difference between any referendum in Alberta or Quebec and the previous ones in Quebec, or the ones in Scotland and Catalonia or Brexit, is that we now live in a world of sophisticated disinformation, AI deepfakes and active foreign interference.
Ultimately, very capable Quebec separatists such as Levesque, Parizeau, Bouchard and Landry were defeated by other Québécois such a Pierre Trudeau, Jean Chretien, Claude Ryan, Jean Charest and Daniel Johnson. If there is to be a referendum in Alberta it will be up to Albertans who believe in Canada to step up and carry the battle for hearts and minds.”
Errol Mendes (English only)
Full Professor, Faculty of Law - Common Law Section.
Professor Mendes’ expertise includes Canadian politics, human rights law, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and federalism.
“The way the referendum process and indeed its wording is potentially unconstitutional as some of the First Nations have stated. It is not legitimate under the federal clarity law that requires a clear question with a clear majority if the referendum succeeds.”