{"id":445,"date":"2025-07-03T20:12:12","date_gmt":"2025-07-04T02:12:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/?page_id=445"},"modified":"2025-07-05T11:50:29","modified_gmt":"2025-07-05T17:50:29","slug":"myths","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/myths\/","title":{"rendered":"Myths"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"445\" class=\"elementor elementor-445\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa60679 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"aa60679\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-044d4bd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"044d4bd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">8 Alberta Myths \u2014 Debunked<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b062e3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2b062e3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d432779 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d432779\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth1_WEBP-683x1024.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-448\" alt=\"Myth #1: \u201cOttawa is stealing Alberta\u2019s wealth and giving it to Quebec!\u201d TALKING POINT We send billions to Ottawa. They turn around and hand it to Quebec. Alberta always pays more than it gets back. We carry the load \u2014 and get none of the credit. We&#039;re done being taken for granted. QUESTION So who&#039;s signing that cheque to Quebec? BREAKDOWN Equalization is not a transfer from Alberta to other provinces\u2014it\u2019s a federal redistribution program funded by personal and corporate income taxes. Alberta doesn\u2019t send money to other provinces; it just doesn\u2019t receive extra support because its economy is stronger. Meanwhile, Alberta receives billions every year from Ottawa through the Canada Health Transfer, EI, infrastructure funding, and emergency disaster aid. Equalization is not theft\u2014it\u2019s a social safety net we may one day need. Sources: Feehan (U of A), School of Public Policy; June 2025 Government of Canada\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth1_WEBP-683x1024.webp 683w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth1_WEBP-200x300.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth1_WEBP-768x1152.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth1_WEBP.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-604f845 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"604f845\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac90597 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ac90597\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<strong data-start=\"629\" data-end=\"649\">Myth #1:<\/strong><br data-start=\"649\" data-end=\"652\" \/>No, Alberta doesn\u2019t send cheques to Quebec. Equalization is about need, not geography. Alberta gets billions from Ottawa every year \u2014 and might need equalization itself someday.\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/MYTH_1_JPEG-1.jpg\" download=\"\">\ud83d\udc49 Download this image (JPG)<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a7a786 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2a7a786\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e63ba60 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"e63ba60\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42ed5a4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"42ed5a4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cbf22f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"cbf22f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth2_WEBP-683x1024.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-449\" alt=\"Myth #2: \u201cWe&#039;ll vote to leave Canada in 2027 and be free!\u201d TALKING POINT Alberta has the right to hold a referendum. A majority vote gives us the mandate to act. That&#039;s how we assert self-determination. No one in Ottawa or the courts can deny it. It\u2019s time for Alberta to reclaim its freedom. QUESTION Where does the Clarity Act say Alberta can leave unilaterally? BREAKDOWN The Clarity Act (2000) outlines the conditions under which a province may begin the process of separation. A successful referendum must have a clear question and result in a clear majority. But that alone is not enough. The federal government is constitutionally obligated to negotiate, and Indigenous peoples hold rights that must be respected. Separation requires amending the Constitution \u2014 which means buy-in from the rest of Canada. It\u2019s not simple or fast. Sources: Clarity Act; Wesley (2022); Robertson Thesis (2023) June 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth2_WEBP-683x1024.webp 683w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth2_WEBP-200x300.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth2_WEBP-768x1152.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth2_WEBP.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ca6e3c4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ca6e3c4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<strong data-start=\"836\" data-end=\"856\">Myth #2:<\/strong><br data-start=\"856\" data-end=\"859\" \/>A referendum is not a magic exit button. Separation takes negotiation, constitutional change, and respect for Indigenous rights. The Clarity Act makes that clear.\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/MYTH_2_JPEG-1.jpg\" download=\"\">\ud83d\udc49 Download this image (JPG)<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a6affb elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"2a6affb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8214f6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f8214f6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b29febb elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b29febb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth3_WEBP-683x1024.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-450\" alt=\"Myth #3: \u201cOttawa tried to force vaccines and erase parental rights!\u201d TALKING POINT They\u2019re pushing woke ideology into Alberta classrooms. Vaccine mandates cost Albertans their jobs and choices. Ottawa keeps crossing the line \u2014 undermining parental authority and Alberta&#039;s freedoms. QUESTION Who actually issued Alberta&#039;s COVID mandates\u2014Ottawa or Alberta? BREAKDOWN During the pandemic, Alberta&#039;s public health decisions were made by the provincial government. Claims of federal coercion don\u2019t hold up to scrutiny. \u201cMedical freedom\u201d is often code for anti-vax rhetoric, and \u201cparental rights\u201d campaigns are being used to roll back sex education, gender inclusion, and curriculum diversity\u2014often without evidence of harm, particularly for LGBTQ+ students. These terms are politicized to erode public trust in experts and to target marginalized groups under the banner of freedom. Sources: Mah (2022); Canadian Anti-Hate Network (2023) June 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth3_WEBP-683x1024.webp 683w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth3_WEBP-200x300.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth3_WEBP-768x1152.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth3_WEBP.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e859713 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e859713\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<strong data-start=\"1028\" data-end=\"1048\">Myth #3:<\/strong><br data-start=\"1048\" data-end=\"1051\" \/>Ottawa didn\u2019t mandate vaccines or rewrite school policy. Those were Alberta\u2019s decisions. Don\u2019t let scapegoating distract from who actually made the rules.\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/MYTH_3_JPEG-1.jpg\" download=\"\">\ud83d\udc49 Download this image (JPG)<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f5b93e elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"4f5b93e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e9ce1d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7e9ce1d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth4_WEBP-683x1024.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-451\" alt=\"Myth #4: \u201cReal freedom means low taxes, no regulations, and gun rights!\u201d TALKING POINT Freedom means government stays out of people&#039;s lives \u2014 low taxes, deregulation, and no red tape getting in the way. I should have the right to own firearms and make my own choices without interference. It\u2019s about freedom. QUESTION How does cutting regulations and taxes give us better schools, roads, or hospitals? BREAKDOWN Flat taxes reduce government ability to fund public goods like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. They mostly benefit the wealthy, while others lose vital support. Deregulation downplays risks to public safety and the environment by weakening protections in sectors like energy, agriculture, and health. Crown land is federally held and subject to legal obligations with Indigenous Peoples. Alberta can&#039;t simply claim it \u2014 treaty law and the Constitution prevent that. Sources: School of Public Policy; Mitchell-MacLean (2025); Mah (2022) June 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth4_WEBP-683x1024.webp 683w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth4_WEBP-200x300.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth4_WEBP-768x1152.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth4_WEBP.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42b163b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"42b163b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<strong data-start=\"1212\" data-end=\"1232\">Myth #4:<\/strong><br data-start=\"1232\" data-end=\"1235\" \/>Freedom means more than low taxes. It means strong public services, safety protections, and respecting treaties \u2014 not deregulation at any cost.\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/MYTH_4_JPEG-1.jpg\" download=\"\">\ud83d\udc49 Download this image (JPG)<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-621f741 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"621f741\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b873d3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7b873d3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth5_WEBP-683x1024.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-452\" alt=\"Myth #5:\u201cTrudeau crashed Alberta\u2019s economy!\u201d TALKING POINT Federal interference and anti-energy policies scared away investment and killed the oilpatch. Trudeau delayed pipelines and imposed carbon taxes\u2014he tanked Alberta&#039;s economy. The Liberals made Alberta uninvestable. QUESTION If Ottawa scared away business, why didn\u2019t they leave during the Harper years? BREAKDOWN The 2014-2015 crash came from global oil oversupply\u2014not federal policy. Alberta&#039;s real pain shows in falling wages, a frozen minimum wage, and rising costs for power, insurance, and tuition\u2014all under provincial control. Oil profits hit $192 billion over four years: four times the 2010s. Jobs and wages were cut\u2014the boom didn&#039;t reach most Albertans. Local policy failures\u2014not Ottawa\u2014drove down wages and affordability. Sources: Stanford \u201cLet\u2019s Drop the Phoney Alberta vs. Canada Nonsense,\u201d June 2025; Toronto Star (2025); UCalgary SPP (2015); Parkland Institute (2023)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth5_WEBP-683x1024.webp 683w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth5_WEBP-200x300.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth5_WEBP-768x1152.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth5_WEBP.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38dac31 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"38dac31\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<strong data-start=\"1385\" data-end=\"1405\">Myth #5:<\/strong><br data-start=\"1405\" data-end=\"1408\" \/>Trudeau wasn\u2019t even in office when oil prices crashed. The real affordability crisis was made in Alberta \u2014 and it\u2019s still hurting workers and families today.\n\n&nbsp;\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/MYTH_5_JPEG-1.jpg\" download=\"\">\ud83d\udc49 Download this image (JPG)<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95fea0e elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"95fea0e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d60141b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d60141b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth6_WEBP-683x1024.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-453\" alt=\"Myth 6: \u201cWe&#039;re just like Quebec\u2014we should get our own deal!\u201d TALKING POINT Alberta deserves the same powers Quebec has\u2014we&#039;re a distinct region too. If they can stand up to Ottawa, so can we. It&#039;s time to fight for our freedom and take control of our future\u2014just like Quebec did. QUESTION What makes Alberta as constitutionally distinct as Quebec? BREAKDOWN Quebec&#039;s distinct status is constitutional \u2014 grounded in language, law, and culture. Alberta has never had those legal foundations. Claims that Alberta should get \u201cthe same deal\u201d ignore the facts. Quebec&#039;s powers reflect negotiated recognition over decades. Alberta\u2019s demands are political, not constitutional. Slogans about \u201cequal treatment\u201d distort what makes Quebec unique \u2014 and try to justify special status Alberta was never promised. Sources: Wesley (2022); Government of Canada; Clarity Act (2000) June 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth6_WEBP-683x1024.webp 683w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth6_WEBP-200x300.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth6_WEBP-768x1152.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth6_WEBP.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e12f8e5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e12f8e5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<strong data-start=\"1572\" data-end=\"1592\">Myth #6:<\/strong><br data-start=\"1592\" data-end=\"1595\" \/>Alberta and Quebec are not the same. Quebec\u2019s powers come from its language, legal system, and culture. Alberta\u2019s demands are political, not constitutional.\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/MYTH_6_JPEG-1.jpg\" download=\"\">\ud83d\udc49 Download this image (JPG)<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16b1520 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"16b1520\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d35d2f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3d35d2f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth7_WEBP-683x1024.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-454\" alt=\"Myth #7 :\u201cThe Alberta separatist movement is a true grassroots rebellion!\u201d TALKING POINT Alberta is ready for real self-determination. It&#039;s time we chart our own future, build our own institutions, and reclaim our wealth, rights, and governance. We need Real Action\u2014not more strongly worded letters. QUESTION If this is a people-powered uprising\u2014where are the votes? BREAKDOWN They invoke rebellion and talk of \u201creal Albertans rising up,\u201d but this isn\u2019t grassroots \u2014 it\u2019s political recycling dressed as populism that lacks broad support. A tight circle of insiders has repackaged separatist rhetoric for decades, stoking division and resentment. Most Albertans reject secession\u2014separatist parties drew less than 1% of the vote in 2023. These groups are small but loud\u2014spreading misinformation, chasing headlines, and harming Alberta&#039;s image with symbolic campaigns that lack real support. Sources: Election Alberta (2023); Mitchell-MacLean (2025); Wesley (2023); Mah (2024); Robertson (2023)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth7_WEBP-683x1024.webp 683w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth7_WEBP-200x300.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth7_WEBP-768x1152.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth7_WEBP.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8ed448 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a8ed448\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<strong data-start=\"1758\" data-end=\"1778\">Myth #7:<\/strong><br data-start=\"1778\" data-end=\"1781\" \/>If this movement is so popular, where are the votes? Separatist parties drew less than 1% in 2023. This isn\u2019t grassroots \u2014 it\u2019s grievance marketing.\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/MYTH_7_JPEG-1.jpg\" download=\"\">\ud83d\udc49 Download this image (JPG)<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c501ac elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"0c501ac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f736b8d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f736b8d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth8_WEBP-683x1024.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-455\" alt=\"Myth 8: \u201cIf Alberta left Canada, we\u2019d be richer, freer, and finally in charge!\u201d TALKING POINT Ottawa bleeds Alberta dry. Independence lets us keep our money, cut red tape, and take back full control of taxes, pensions, and borders. True prosperity and freedom begin the moment we leave Canada. QUESTION What part of becoming landlocked, friendless, and broke sounds like \u2018freedom\u2019? BREAKDOWN The promise of instant wealth and sovereignty hides the hard reality of building a nation. Alberta would need new systems for trade, currency, and diplomacy \u2014 all while landlocked and unrecognized. Key sectors like oil and agriculture depend on stable trade with Canada and the U.S. Independence means instability, lost federal support, and long-term costs. Leaving Canada is politically, economically, and socially disruptive. Sources: Canada West Foundation (2022); Bank of Canada modelling; Clarity Act briefs; UCalgary SPP; Robertson (2023); Mah (2024) June 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth8_WEBP-683x1024.webp 683w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth8_WEBP-200x300.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth8_WEBP-768x1152.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Myth8_WEBP.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7497d03 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7497d03\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<strong data-start=\"1936\" data-end=\"1956\">Myth #8:<\/strong><br data-start=\"1956\" data-end=\"1959\" \/>Independence isn\u2019t a shortcut to prosperity. It\u2019s a leap into legal, economic, and logistical chaos \u2014 especially for a landlocked province like Alberta.\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/MYTH_8_JPEG-1.jpg\" download=\"\">\ud83d\udc49 Download this image (JPG)<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28a75fc elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"28a75fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>8 Alberta Myths \u2014 Debunked Myth #1:No, Alberta doesn\u2019t send cheques to Quebec. Equalization is about need, not geography. Alberta gets billions from Ottawa every year \u2014 and might need equalization itself someday. \ud83d\udc49 Download this image (JPG) Myth #2:A referendum is not a magic exit button. Separation takes negotiation, constitutional change, and respect for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-445","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/445","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=445"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/445\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":486,"href":"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/445\/revisions\/486"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.givevoiceab.ca\/wp37560\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=445"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}