I just finished watching this (2005) CBC documentary about the 1995 Quebec referendum. It’s fascinating history, especially for Albertans. Two things stood out. First, around the 25-minute mark, Quebec separatists are shown building relationships with France and reaching out to the United States before the referendum. They were seeking recognition and discussing future economic relationships in the event Quebec voted to become independent. CBC presents it as a matter of fact. No panic. No accusations of treason. No outrage. Just a recognition that if a region is considering independence, its leaders will naturally want to know what recognition, trade, and diplomatic relations might look like afterward. Today, when Albertans have similar conversations with Americans, many of the same people immediately scream “traitor.” Why? What exactly is the difference? Second, around the 50-minute mark, several political leaders discuss how important it is that a referendum question be clear and understandable. That struck me because we’re seeing many of the same arguments in Alberta today. Democracy works best when voters know exactly what they’re voting for. Not when questions are engineered to create confusion. Not when the goal is to muddy the waters. Not when politicians try to manufacture a result. History matters And if you support Alberta independence, you should study Quebec. Canada came far closer to breaking apart than many people realize. For generations, Quebec maintained a strong identity, a distinct culture, and a vision for its future that often differed from the rest of the country. English Canada understood that Quebec was different. Yet when Albertans say we have our own culture, our own priorities, our own economic interests, and our own vision for the future, we’re told to stop asking questions and fall in line. This documentary is worth watching; and I am nostalgic for when CBC had a semblance of journalistic integrity. youtu.be/Fl7lOundk4Y?si=OP5d…