Why Hill And Others Have It Dead Wrong.

Too many Remain Albertans are like Hill, deluding themselves that the referendum result will send a message to Ottawa. In short, the federal government, regardless of its political affiliation, doesn't give a shit about "the message" coming out of AB, QC or anywhere else. All they care about is keeping power in Ottawa.

That's where the rubber meets the road: if you're a genuine federalist, then a vote to stay in Canada is hardly enough to ensure the territorial integrity of this country. You have to go where no English-speaking Canadian wants to go, and that means constitutional change and a further devolution of power to the provinces and territories. That's the only way to keep any province in Canada going forward. Put another way, unless the federal government commits itself to transferring more powers to the provinces, Canada is doomed, probably later rather than sooner.

You won't see Carney or Poilièvre committing to that. Ever. Everyone knows the current federation model is outdated and ill-equipped to address Canadians' regional and provincial concerns. It's either fundamental, genuine reform, or Canada will abruptly be on life support.

English Canada, which thumbed its nose in the end at Meech Lake and Charlottetown, has one more chance to fix the division of powers. If it fails to live up to the aspirations of all provinces and territories, then even yours truly could cast a Yes vote in a provincial referendum. That's where things really stand in 2026.