Mayors, First Nations chiefs in Alberta's oilsands region react tentatively to West Coast pipeline designation

Alberta separatists argue that Ottawa's focus on the Trans Mountain pipeline does not deter their push for independence. Cory Morgan, a separatist organizer, asserts that the issue of separation is more profound than the pipeline. Alberta is set to hold a referendum on October 19th, where the public will decide whether to remain in Canada or pursue a second referendum on separation.

Premier Danielle Smith, who called for the vote, insists that the debate is urgent and needs a resolution. Despite her stance of staying in Canada, Smith has praised joint projects such as the pipeline as evidence of the country's strength when united.

Critics, however, claim that Smith is leveraging separatist grievances to appease the minority separatist faction within her United Conservative Party. The pipeline, now deemed of major public interest, is anticipated to expedite the process of transporting Alberta's oil to British Columbia. Keith Wilson, co-leader of the separatist group Let Alberta Decide, believes that the pipeline's lengthy development period, along with significant political and resource allocation, serves as a testament to why Alberta should exit Confederation.

The federal government, according to Wilson, has provided Alberta with a "bypass route" to circumvent the usual lengthy assessments and consultations, thus securing the pipeline's path to reality.

Jeffrey Rath, a lawyer for the separatist group Stay Free Alberta, maintains that Alberta should remain independent and benefit from the new pipeline's revenue stream. However, Mayor Sandy Bowman of Fort McMurray, which is at the heart of Alberta's oil industry, supports the referendum outcome and the pipeline's announcement. Bowman believes that when Alberta and the federal government collaborate, significant progress is achieved, emphasizing that Fort McMurray's prosperity is indicative of Alberta's and consequently Canada's overall growth.

Bowman reinforces his decision to vote to stay in Canada by stating that when Fort McMurray does well, Alberta does well, and when Alberta does well, Canada does well.