Missing the days of yore in Alberta

Edmonton – Outside the Alberta legislature, a sea of deep blue flags billows in the stiff October wind, held aloft by a crowd of around 1,100 people gathered for one last rally before Monday’s referendum. Most of the flags bore the province’s crest; many were inscribed with defiant slogans such as “Send a Message to Ottawa,” “Live Free or Die,” and “We’re Done – Alberta First.”

Separatist influencer Adam Derges, host of “The Army of Great Men” podcast, addressed the gathering. Some supporters lament the costs of separation, but Derges urged them not to forget the rewards. He declared, “I miss the good old days.” While he didn’t specify what that meant, it resonated with the crowd.

In the days leading up to the referendum, thousands of Canadians dressed in maple-leaf attire filled Edmonton’s Expo Centre for a rally hosted by former deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk’s Forever Canadian campaign. Later, a vicious windstorm with gusts of nearly 100 kilometers per hour swept through the city, causing power outages in some areas. However, the rally resumed as scheduled.

The attendees, many who had traveled from Calgary, were generally relaxed and friendly. Some sat on lawn chairs near the legislature steps, while others mingled, discussing topics ranging from family to hockey and concerns over Canada’s future under perceived Communist Chinese control. Supporters of the separatist vote varied in their ultimate goals, but the predominant slogan called for sending Ottawa a message.

One woman carried a flag advocating for a Republic of Alberta alongside a sign stating, “I am Canadian. I will not sit down. I will not shut up. I want my country back.” Another man, dressed in a custom red jacket featuring an apparent Alberta state crest with stars-and-stripes and the banner “Alberta USA,” stood out among the crowd.

A few reporters sought comment from an individual in the crowd who stood out in a custom red jacket with an apparent Alberta state crest, including stars-and-stripes and a stylized bald eagle, alongside the banner “Alberta USA.” When asked about the benefits of becoming a U.S. state, he explained that everything would be cheaper, with more freedom, and better than in Canada.

Up on a paved courtyard overlooking the legislature grounds, a small group of pro-Canadian protesters exchanged barbs with passing separatists. One man, holding an Alberta flag and a camera for his YouTube channel, engaged in a heated debate with a protester who ultimately walked away. A young man with blue jeans and a worn brown hoodie approached, carrying a small blue Alberta flag from the rally and a maple-leaf banner from the Forever Canadian campaign.

Calling himself Geoffrey Pike, he shared that he was 30 years old, worked in construction, and was born and raised in Alberta. Despite facing struggles, he was proud to be Canadian and found hope in the people of the country.