Flags become symbols for two sides in Alberta’s separation debate

Comparisons drawn to divided views of the Canadian flag during 2022 convoy

Spend some time in Alberta these days and you’ll see duelling flags.

Those who want to see the province separate are proudly showcasing the Alberta flag on billboards, bumper stickers and social media.

When Mitch Sylvestre, who led the petition drive to hold a separation referendum, handed in the paperwork, the crowd was filled with people waving the blue flag with the provincial coat of arms.

The Maple Leaf, on the other hand, has become the de facto symbol of those who want the province to remain and for the separation conversation to end.

Forever Canadian, led by Thomas Lukaszuk, is handing out free lawn signs to supporters, which depict a version of the Canadian flag with the group's logo in the middle.

Oliver Ho is volunteering with the group. During a recent lawn-sign giveaway, he said the Alberta flag is meaningful to him, and he does not like seeing it used in the context of this debate.

“They're trying to take our symbol and then twist it to fit their narrative, and that's something that upsets me,” Ho said.

“It's no different when if you take a flag and just, you know, drag it across the floor, use it as a floor mat. That's how I see the situation.”

Born-and-raised Albertan Simon Van Leeuwen has long flown a Canadian flag in his yard. He said he is proud of the Alberta flag, but not proud of how it has "been commandeered" to support a cause he does not believe in.

"They're using the flag as a cheap tool to further their cause, and they've not thought about why they're using the flag," said Van Leeuwen. "It's something for them to wave. It's disrespectful of what the flag represents."

Dairy farmer Jetty Nieuwenhuis said her "heart drops" when she sees the provincial flag around rural Alberta.

"I just don't like that there's so much division right now and hate and frustration, and that's generally not how I live my life," said Nieuwenhuis. "And right now, the flag gives me not a good taste, just not a good feel."

Parade cancelled after flag float controversy

Last week, the town of Sundre cancelled its annual parade after facing a barrage of criticism for refusing entry to a float covered in Alberta flags.

While the float didn't feature any messaging about separation, organizers worried at first it might be too political. That decision was reversed, but by then, the backlash had already begun.

Lawrence Magee, an independent content creator who broadcasts as Berta Proud Dad, posted about the parade’s initial decision. He said the situation should not have happened.

“We live in a polarizing age where cancel culture has kind of grown legs, and because people don’t like a certain person’s opinion, some people are scared now to enter certain things into a float that might just have Alberta flags,” Magee said in a recent interview with CBC News.

“And that wasn’t the case at all; this wasn’t political.”

In response to the cancellation, a slow roll of vehicles was organized through Sundre on the same day the parade was to be held. A string of vehicles drove through the town on Saturday, many adorned with Alberta flags.

Sundre cruise takes place after annual parade cancellation

Shannon Chapin, who took part in the slow roll, said the event was not political, rather a show of love for the province.

"See, I feel like the same people that are unhappy with the Alberta flags were the same people that were unhappy with the Canadian flags during the convoy," Chapin said.

The convoy comparison came up again and again in conversations with people on both sides of the current debate.

During that protest, the Canadian flag became a motif, sparking mixed emotions from those opposed to the convoy.

"The Canadian flag, it's certainly evolved over time in terms of what it might mean to different people at different times," said University of Guelph marketing professor Tim Dewhirst.

“I think for many Canadians, there was a period where there was some hesitancy to display the Canadian flag just because there were many Canadians that didn't want to be seen as supporting the Freedom Convoy."

Jerry Proppe was one of those people. He’d long flown the national flag in his Calgary backyard, but says he took it down during the convoy.

“Now I'm so glad that in the last few years it's like no, this is our flag,” said Proppe, as he picked up his own Forever Canadian sign.

Magee said he grew his following during the Freedom Convoy. He told CBC News that the Alberta flag is for everyone.

“The Alberta flag belongs to each and every Albertan, including those that don’t agree politically, and we should be proud of our flag and proud of where we come from,” said Magee.

The Elbows Up movement saw the resurgence of the Canadian flag as a new wave of patriotism emerged in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump’s "51st State" rhetoric.

Dewhirst says it shows how flags can symbolize different things to different people at different times.

And in a situation like Alberta is now, he said many will do mental calculations to judge what displaying a flag might say about another person's values and beliefs.

The Rotary Club of St. Albert runs a program where people can sign up to get a Canadian flag to display on their front lawn during the summer long weekends. Volunteers will install them at the start of the weekend, then take them away come Monday.

“It is interesting — there has absolutely been some fluctuation [in interest] based upon political climate,” said rotarian John Carle.

During the convoy protests, he says they saw a drop in the number of people wanting to fly the Maple Leaf. These days, he says numbers have increased.

To Carle, Canada's flag holds meaning.

“It really is a symbol of hope. It's a symbol of acceptance. It is a symbol of a place to be and to be yourself,” said Carle.

At the Sundre slow roll, Chapin had similar praise for the Alberta flag.

"It represents freedom and independence and hard work and the people and the pioneers," said Chapin.

"I'm third-generation Albertan, and just how my grandfather and grandmother emigrated from Sweden and Norway and built the railroad and this country ... that's the representation of Alberta — is the hard work that us Albertans put into this province."

Jennifer is a reporter with CBC Calgary. Previously, she worked for CTV News in Toronto. You can reach her at jennifer.keiller@cbc.ca

With files from Joel Dryden and Amir Said