Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney doubled down on his opposition to provincial separatism this week, citing recent by-election results as evidence that independence movements lack meaningful public support.
In a social media post, Kenney highlighted that two separatist candidates combined received just 1.5% of votes in a recent by-election in what he described as a riding that “would be ground zero for separatist sentiment.” Meanwhile, Pierre Poilievre, who ran on the “Canada First” slogan, won more than 80% of the vote.
The results follow Kenney’s May statement defending Alberta’s role in the Canadian confederation while acknowledging legitimate grievances over federal policies he characterized as “fundamentally hostile” to the province’s energy sector.
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It also appears to support Kenney’s longstanding position that separatism remains “a fringe movement.” He previously noted that in five decades, Alberta separatists have managed to elect only one candidate in a byelection.
Read: Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney Speaks Out Against Separatism
“This follows the separatists’ humiliation in a provincial by-election two months ago, in the only riding ever to elect a separatist in Alberta,” Kenney wrote, calling independence referendums “a pointless distraction from the important work of building a stronger and more prosperous Alberta.”
Kenney’s comments come as Alberta continues opposing federal carbon tax increases that he previously said would “massively disadvantage” trade-exposed industries. In his earlier statement, the former premier noted Alberta contributes approximately $20 billion annually to federal fiscal transfers.
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