Poilievre says those who vote for Alberta separation 'are not our enemies'

Poilievre says those who vote for Alberta separation 'are not our enemies'

Conservative leader says country needs to offer 'hope' as he kicks off unity campaign

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says Canadians shouldn't view those who will vote for Alberta separation as "enemies" and instead offer "hope" to Albertans in order to buttress against the province's secessionist movement.

"As we debate the fight for a united Canada, we must remember that those who are choosing separation from Canada are not our enemies. They are our fellow citizens, family members, loved ones, business partners, neighbours [and] friends," he said during a speech in Calgary on Monday.

"Demonizing people who have lost hope in Canada is no way to restore it. Name-calling, fearmongering and ostracizing will only worsen and broaden the divide."

Albertans are heading to the polls in October to vote on a number of questions, one of which will ask if the province should remain in Canada or if the provincial government should begin to hold a second referendum to leave the Confederation.

Poilievre's remarks came in a keynote speech as part of a campaign to persuade Albertans to vote for the remain option in the fall.

"The goal should not be to beat one another in this referendum. It should be to unite us all when it is over, to show our fellow citizens — all of them — that they belong in Canada, that they are a treasured part of our national family," Poilievre said.

Alberta separatists are 'not our enemies, they are our fellow citizens,' Poilievre says

Poilievre invoked the contributions Alberta has made to Canada, including the Albertans who fought in both world wars. He also talked about his personal pride of Calgary being the country's first city to host the Olympic Winter Games.

The Conservative leader grew up in Alberta before moving to Ottawa to start a career in federal politics. He currently represents the Alberta riding of Battle River-Crowfoot.

"We should not just tell Albertans how bad it would be to have separation. Let's instead talk about how great it can be if our country is truly united and respectful of Alberta," he said.

Poilievre calls for Albertans to 'lock arms' with other provinces instead of separating

Poilievre blamed the federal Liberal government for festering separatist sentiment in Alberta and called on Canadians to listen to the grievances of those considering secession.

"You will find that they do not have a problem with their fellow Canadians or even with Canada itself. They have a problem with the federal government," he said.

"We don't need a different country in Alberta, we need different government policies in Ottawa."

On Friday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith pitched a packed house of more than 2,000 United Conservative Party supporters and made her pitch on why Alberta should remain in Canada.

"I still believe Canada can work. I believe it's working better every day, and it can work even better in the future if we keep fighting together for it," Smith said.

Smith pointed to the memorandum of understanding between the federal government and Alberta that could see construction on a new oil pipeline to the West Coast start as early as September 2027.

But Poilievre said that Albertans should expect more than "promises" from the Liberal government.

"It will take shovels moving dirt and steel pipe in the ground to show the Liberals have really changed their minds on oil and gas. Albertans can be forgiven for demanding results, not just more promises," he said.

The referendum is scheduled for Oct. 19.

Darren Major is a senior writer for CBC's parliamentary bureau in Ottawa. He previously worked as a digital reporter for CBC Ottawa and a producer for CBC's Power & Politics. He holds a master's degree in journalism and a bachelor's degree in public affairs and policy management, both from Carleton University. He also holds a master's degree in arts from Queen's University. He can be reached at darren.major@cbc.ca.