To My Loved Ones in Alberta

Hi Alberta friends and family,

You have an important election coming up, and it’s so critical that you are ready to vote!

A few things that might be overlooked in this quagmire:

Elections Alberta is warning that the election day polls will be long due to the special ballot. You can opt to get a mail in ballot if you prefer. (https://specialballot.elections.ab.ca)
The easiest way to make sure you are registered to vote is to check your status here: https://www.elections.ab.ca/voters/register-to-vote/
The separatist movement is counting on voter apathy to win this special ballot. It’s simple math. Generally, 30% of people show up to vote. They only need half of that 30% to win. Do you want 15% of eligible voters to determine the future for you and your loved ones?
Don’t Vote yes to “send a message” to Ottawa. Brexit votes were, at least to some extent, driven by the desire to “send a message”. Brexit is now regarded by the majority of Britains as a bad decision.

If you are unhappy with how things are going, have you:

A) written clear, concise emails to your MLA and MP on specific issues and bills? Not omnibus screeds, but short, clear asks about specific bills and issues in front of the legislature or parliament right now?

B) called your MP and MLA about the specific issues above with specific steps that you, as a committed voter, are asking they take?

C) signed and submitted step 2 of a relevant commons petition? These are submitted directly to parliament, unlike other online petitions. https://www.ourcommons.ca/en

Does it suck that our democracy requires us to do homework as an adult? Yes.

Should you still do it? Unequivocally yes.

Politicians are subject to the sentiments expressed by their voters, and right now, they are hearing scuttlebutt from the loudest voices in the room, and as it turns out, lots of those loudest voices are Russian bots amplifying pro separatist content.

Why I think you should vote no on all the special ballot measures:

Ultimately, there is no real plan to address the concerns that are being raised in the ballot. The questions themselves are left deliberately vague so as to ask voters to fill in the blanks with their own understanding. This is an unacceptable way to develop policy.
Again, as with the freedom convoy, there is demonstrable evidence that bad actors from Russia are unleashing social media bots to spread pro- separatist content on social media. There is also reasonable evidence to suggest that MAGA supporters in the states are also involved in the pro-separatist content. Do you believe that Russia and MAGA have your best interests at heart?
The province’s largest data breech (of which no one has faced any sort of consequence) has been tied directly to this separatist movement. This unequivocally indicates to me that these people do not have your best interests at the forefront of their minds.
Even Jason Kenney is calling for an investigation into the separatist finances as there was a highly suspicious donation of $190K recently.

I love my home province, and I love so many of the people who call it home.

It’s a place of breathtaking natural beauty, of energy and of community, of a grit and tenacity that shows up like nowhere else on earth. Alberta is filled with people who show up to do the right thing without fanfare just because it’s the right thing to do.

It behooves us to hold our politicians to their highest standard and do better, not just for us today, but for everyone tomorrow too. Albertans are being preyed upon by a targeted campaign of misinformation, and it is not the fault of its citizens. Unfortunately it is now the responsibility of its citizens to correct these wrongs. And voting no is a first step to taking back your province.

Alberta is an amazing place, and of course, it can be better. This special ballot is unequivocally not the way to do it. So, get ready to vote, Alberta.