Richard B🇨🇦

In a world where volume is often mistaken for strength, I still find honour in steadiness, restraint, and credibility. A sign for your window or pin to your profile, make a variation. “French Canadian” Ukrainian Canadian” or I’m grateful to be Canadian.” 🇨🇦

@wildpete20 @MarcNixon24 Personal attacks and mental health insults usually appear when people run out of actual arguments.

@MarcNixon24 @TheManagersBox Marc I suggest a psychiatrist

Canada without the Liberals would be the richest country on Earth Zero income tax, best healthcare, cheap housing and food Only 2 genders and able to attract TOP Talent from around the world Instead we have a Govt that claims they can control the weather if we pay more taxes

For those of you who are fearful to engage with separatists, these standard statements are very effective in establishing your position and usually results in end of conversation without escalating into emotional exchanges that leave you feeling exhausted over people’s wilful ignorance. Copy and paste. Copy all of them to a word file or notepad on your device so you can find them easily when you need them. And the images are my originals, you are welcome to use them anywhere. They really hate the question with the Canadian flag—it triggers them. * The most self-destructive thing we could ever do economically or socially in Alberta is separate from Canada. * The most reckless thing we could ever do economically or socially in Alberta is separate from Canada. * The most economically and socially damaging thing Alberta could do is separate from Canada. * The most catastrophic mistake Alberta could make economically or socially is separating from Canada. * The most short-sighted thing Alberta could do economically or socially is separate from Canada. * The most irresponsible economic and social decision Alberta could make is separation from Canada. @gilmcgowan @TheBreakdownAB @CoffeyTimeNews @Coffee17663726

Interesting how suddenly the message has shifted from “Ottawa is destroying Alberta” to “Alberta should lead Canada.” Also worth noting: many of those so-called “bad laws” were either upheld, partially modified through negotiation, challenged successfully in court, or adapted to by industry itself. Reality is far more nuanced than years of political blame-shifting suggested. You cannot spend years fueling grievance, separatist rhetoric, and distrust toward Canada, then pivot overnight into “vote to remain” while pretending none of that contributed to the current instability. Albertans deserve honesty, not revisionist history and deflection.

I know the last decade under the Trudeau-NDP was difficult and Albertans have every right to be frustrated. But thanks to the leadership of Albertans, the tide is finally turning in our favour. The vast majority of Trudeau’s ‘9 bad laws’ have been scrapped or reformed. Investment has begun flowing back into energy, tech, and agriculture, and we are creating more jobs than the rest of the country combined. Now is not the time to give up hope. Now is the time to double down and help Canada reach its incredible potential. With Alberta leading the way, we can turn Canada into one of the most strong and prosperous economies in the world. On October 19, I will be voting for Alberta to remain in Canada. I hope you will join me in doing so.

@YourGirlJ111 It’s her insanity and greed and she’s dragged us all into the fire.

@TheManagersBox And she’s not going to. She just threw a pipeline of natural gas product onto an already perennial fire. It was intentional. Now the #MapleMAGA have a sanctioned place to scratch that itch. People will die. This will escalate.

The timing of the referendum is also part of the chaos. Its deliberately before the summer recess is over on October 26. She expects to march into the legislature a week after the referendum and that she has a mandate to declare we are a separate nation. It will some kind of total disregard for Canadian laws. Her first order of business is to consult with First Nations, but she isn't doing that.

Nobody serious argues taxes can “control the weather.” The actual discussion is about mitigating pollution, accelerating cleaner technology, and managing long-term economic and environmental risks. Also, Canada contributes roughly 1.5% of global emissions. So yes — Canada alone cannot “change the climate.” But every major economy reducing emissions collectively absolutely has an impact over time. That’s how global problems work. We can debate the effectiveness or cost of carbon pricing honestly. But reducing the discussion to “government controls weather” oversimplifies a complex economic and scientific issue.

@TheManagersBox I’m glad we’re on the same page when it comes to the government cannot control the weather regardless of how much taxes we pay Industrial car taxes will not lower global temperatures

@harryt59_harry @MarcNixon24 True. look at the disaster taking place in Alberta. the conservatives are destructing us.

@MarcNixon24 Are you frigging kidding me? Everything Canada had conservatives sold to the lowest bidder. Petro Canada for example. Conservatives can't wait to get power so they can sell the TMX. Liberals build. Conservatives destroy.

@tessa_2018 @WatcherUpNorth @ABDanielleSmith and if our Premier had any bravery left, she would just recall the legislature, hold the vote requested by the petitioners of the Forever Canadian petition, and we wouldn't need a charade referendum.

@Lee_lee_lang @ABDanielleSmith If defending Canada makes me a clown, I’m comfortable with that.

@TheManagersBox @ABDanielleSmith Go away Forever Chinada clown! 🤡

I am fiercely loyal to Alberta and Canada and will be voting for our province to remain in confederation Kicking the can down the road only prolongs an emotional and important debate, and muzzling the voices of hundreds of thousands of Albertans who want to be heard is unjustifiable in a free and democratic society. It’s time to have a vote, understand the will of Albertans, and move on. Read my full op-ed here: calgaryherald.com/opinion/column…

We will be the last place investors will express confidence in. They have more than one place to invest, and more than one industry. They can't count on anything.

@CardinalWayne It most certainly is. glad you agree.

@TheManagersBox Endless chaos.😵‍💫 Lol yeah okay

3:40 AM. I turn to my phone on the nightstand and confirm the time. I already know I’m not going back to sleep. Not after another reckless act from a Premier who, by every measurable standard, appears completely off the rails. So Danielle Smith can take comfort in one thing: she got through to us. Loud and clear. Albertans understand now that something is deeply wrong. Whether she is compromised by foreign interests, political extremists inside her own party, or simply by the pursuit of power itself almost no longer matters. The result is the same: a government willing to risk Alberta, risk Canada, and risk social stability to preserve political control. And the hardest part is this: it feels abusive. The endless pushing. The endless escalation. The endless chaos. Albertans are exhausted. We don’t need months of anxiety hanging over our heads because of some reckless October 19 referendum fantasy. We do not need our province turned into a political powder keg while healthcare deteriorates, education suffers, corruption allegations pile up, and long-term economic planning is nowhere to be found. This is not leadership. Leadership lowers temperatures. Leadership negotiates. Leadership builds confidence. Leadership protects institutions. Instead, we see attacks on courts, attacks on vulnerable communities, attacks on public trust, and constant deflection from accountability. And for what? To distract from failures in governance? To avoid scrutiny over corruption scandals? To feed a movement built on grievance, anger, and permanent outrage? I’m tired of short-term politics masquerading as vision. I want a government thinking 25 and 50 years ahead. I want honest stewardship of Alberta’s future. I want competence, professionalism, and stability. Most Albertans are not looking for revolution. We are looking for adults in the room. I’m a patriot. I will vote to stay. And I believe millions of Canadians will stand with those of us who want no part of reckless separatist agendas or imported political extremism. This province deserves better than permanent chaos. It deserves leadership.

@denisedracip look in the mirror.

@TheManagersBox Yup I totally agree CTV, CBC and Liberals are 9/10 wrong!

Today’s launch of the Forever Canadian movement was something special. What was expected to be an indoor gathering overflowed so dramatically that the event had to move outdoors into the sunshine. The lineup for campaign signs stretched long as volunteers prepared for the work ahead leading into the October 19 referendum campaign. And perhaps most importantly, people from very different political backgrounds stood together for a common purpose: protecting Canada, protecting Alberta’s future inside Canada, and protecting the next generation from reckless division. We heard remarks from former Deputy Premier Hon. Thomas Lukaszuk, MP Hon. Eleanor Olszewski, and Alberta NDP Deputy Leader Rakhi Pancholi. In a time where politics often feels toxic and tribal, it was refreshing to see people willing to set differences aside in the national interest. On my way into the event, I had the privilege of meeting and speaking at length with a distinguished former member of the Provincial Court of Alberta. Conversations like that remind you something important: wisdom, experience, and institutional respect still matter. One comment I heard repeatedly was: “Where are the young people?” The answer is probably simple. Many are working on a Saturday trying to make ends meet in an increasingly difficult world. But I’ll say this clearly: The boomers and seniors who showed up today are not fighting for themselves. They’re doing the heavy lifting because they care about their kids and grandkids. They know what’s at stake. They don’t want Alberta dragged into endless rage politics, manufactured division, or reckless extremism that weakens our country and damages our economy. We are not abandoning our youth. We want young Canadians to have good careers, affordable opportunities, strong public institutions, modern infrastructure, skilled trades, technology jobs, clean energy jobs, and the freedom to build a stable life here in Canada. That’s why people are stepping forward. Not out of fear. Not out of hatred. But out of responsibility. We need less rage baiting and more listening. Less contempt and more wisdom. Every generation has faced challenges. This generation is not alone. Canada is worth protecting. Alberta is worth fighting for. And our young people deserve a future built on stability, opportunity, and respect — not anger, chaos, and division. Today felt like the beginning of something positive. #ForeverCanadian #CanadaStrong #Alberta #Canada #Leadership #Democracy

@BruceStearman @gies_greg @PuckDaddy9 I understand the concern, but I’d be cautious about declaring Alberta “gerrymandered” as settled fact before courts and independent review processes fully weigh in. Governments change when enough voters decide they want change. That’s still true in Alberta.

@TheManagersBox @gies_greg @PuckDaddy9 Unfortunately the way the UCP has gerrymandered the province there is very little likelihood they will lose the next election.

I’m not being coy at all. Many of the grievances you listed are real political disagreements and frustrations that deserve serious discussion. Western alienation did not magically appear yesterday, and it certainly predates Danielle Smith. Where we differ is in the conclusion. I do not believe every disagreement with federal policy amounts to Alberta being “dictated to,” ignored, or oppressed within Confederation. Canada is a federation full of competing regional interests, political compromises, constitutional limits, court rulings, elections, and jurisdictional battles. Quebec, Atlantic Canada, Ontario, the Prairies, and BC all make the same argument at different times: “Ottawa doesn’t listen to us.” You listed a series of policies many Albertans dislike. Fair enough. But disliking federal policies is not evidence democracy has failed. It means politics is contested. And while Alberta does not control every federal lever you listed, Alberta still possesses enormous constitutional and economic power within Canada. Alberta is not a powerless colony. We are one of the wealthiest, most influential provinces in the country. I also think it is important to separate legitimate economic frustration from the growing narrative that Canada itself is somehow illegitimate, broken beyond repair, or actively hostile to Alberta. I reject that completely. We can strongly disagree with Ottawa at times while still recognizing Canada remains one of the freest, wealthiest, and most stable democracies in the world — including for Albertans.

Are you being coy? The issues are not the liberal federal government and Canada’s distain for Alberta? Alberta’s alienation did not appear out of nowhere, It has been building for decades through repeated federal policies and decisions that many Albertans see as economically damaging, politically dismissive, or structurally unfair. Here’s why many Albertans blame Ottawa and the federal Liberal governments specifically: • Equalization formula frustrations while Alberta remains a major net contributor • Bill C-69 (“No More Pipelines” law) adding major regulatory barriers to energy projects • Bill C-48 tanker ban affecting northern export access • Federal emissions caps targeting oil and gas production • Clean Electricity Regulations viewed as unrealistic for Alberta’s grid and economy • Federal carbon tax policies disproportionately impacting energy-producing provinces • Years of anti-oil-and-gas rhetoric from senior federal politicians • Pipeline cancellations and delays that cost billions in investment • Capital flight and investment moving to the U.S. • Federal intrusion into provincial natural resource jurisdiction • Senate representation disparities - e.g. PEI has 4 senators for 180,000 people; Alberta has 6 for nearly 5 million • Perception that Alberta’s economic contributions are welcomed, but Alberta’s priorities are ignored • Supreme Court battles over provincial jurisdiction - with 72% of sitting judges appointed by Justin Trudeau’s govt, including in Alberta with no input from Alberta • National policies often shaped by Ontario/Quebec electoral realities while western concerns are secondary • Repeated portrayal of Alberta’s core industry as something to be phased out rather than developed responsibly • Federal environmental processes that many see as designed to obstruct, not approve, major projects • Decades of western alienation predating Danielle Smith entirely -including the NEP era under Trudeau Sr. And yes, Alberta has constitutional powers. But provinces do not control: • interprovincial pipelines • international trade access • federal environmental approvals • equalization formulas • Senate reform • national energy policy • federal taxation policy • emissions caps • Supreme Court appointments • federal spending priorities So when federally controlled policies repeatedly impact Alberta’s largest industry and economy, people naturally look to Ottawa - to the liberals

this is my reply to two of your comments. Federal elections are not decided by “the East.” They are decided by Canadians voting in a parliamentary democracy where every riding across the country contributes seats to the House of Commons — including Alberta’s. And respectfully, claiming Canada is controlled by “slave nations,” “genocidal oligarchs,” or secret foreign forces moves the discussion away from legitimate political debate and into conspiracy rhetoric. Canada is not a perfect country. No country is. But we still have free elections, independent courts, constitutional rights, provincial governments, opposition parties, free speech, and the ability to openly criticize our leaders online every single day without fear of imprisonment. That is not what living in an unfree country looks like.

@TheManagersBox To be CLEARUntil we are Independant, we are being governed by clowns following orders from an unelected King, who is NOW a Muslim radical, that hangs with genocidal Oligarchs & NGO's. That want slave Nations. Canadians don't make good slaves. Is Canada free? Absolutely not.

Not everything has to reach the level of organized “attacks” before people are allowed to express concern about tone, rhetoric, or political culture. A lot of Canadians — especially women — are noticing increased hostility, anger, intimidation, and imported grievance politics in public discourse. Acknowledging that isn’t “pandering.”

@TheManagersBox Either I missed the far right attack on Canadian women, or this is purely pandering

Canadian women have been underestimated for far too long. Over the last few years especially, we’ve seen a strange trend from some corners of the American and Canadian far right — mocking Canadian women as somehow “less than.” Less glamorous. Less beautiful. Less feminine. Less desirable. As though worth is measured by reality TV, Instagram filters, or who shouts the loudest for attention. It’s nonsense. Canadian women have never needed to build their identity around spectacle. Many are grounded, educated, practical, independent, and quietly resilient. They often carry families, communities, workplaces, and friendships with a calm strength that doesn’t need a spotlight to prove itself. And here’s the thing outsiders often fail to understand: Canadian women stick together. Not perfectly, of course — nobody does — but there’s a deeply rooted cultural instinct here. A kind of “sisters from different mothers” energy. They rally around friends in crisis. They defend each other fiercely. They organize. They volunteer. They hold families and communities together when things get hard. Underestimate that at your own risk. Canadian women are also uniquely Canadian in how they express disappointment. Americans might reach for dramatic language. Canadians? Sometimes the ultimate judgment is far simpler. “Cow.” Every Canadian woman instantly understands the meaning behind that word when another woman has violated trust, betrayed solidarity, or forgotten where she came from. It’s not vulgarity. It’s something colder: disappointment mixed with moral judgment. And somehow… that makes it even more powerful. The truth is, Canada has always been shaped by strong women — women who built businesses, farms, schools, hospitals, charities, communities, and families without demanding applause every five minutes. So no, Canadian women don’t need validation from online extremists, influencers, or political culture wars. They already know who they are. And Canada is stronger because of them.