Federal Tories launch ‘Conservatives for Canada’ campaign ahead of Alberta referendum

In a bid to rally their supporters ahead of the Alberta referendum, the federal Conservatives have launched a campaign called "Conservatives for Canada." The vote, set for October 19, asks Albertans if they wish to remain part of Canada or initiate the legal process to hold a referendum on secession.

The campaign, spearheaded by Parkland MP Dane Lloyd, aims to engage conservative Albertans with a message that the issue is not Canada itself, but the government policies in Ottawa. Lloyd asserts that despite recent changes from the Liberal government, like cancelling the consumer carbon price and approving a West Coast pipeline, many Albertans still feel their voices aren't being heard and their values aren't respected.

The campaign's strategy, according to Lloyd, is to leverage the strong sense of national pride currently gripping the country due to the trade war with the United States. He believes engaging this patriotism can help increase voter turnout, which polls suggest would be high. The campaign's target is the approximately 1.4 million Albertans who voted Conservative in the last election.

The Conservatives for Canada group has set up a website and released a statement on social media, expressing a commitment to campaigning for Canadian unity. The campaign will operate within the guidelines set by Elections Alberta, offering information on voting and volunteering.