Chapter 5 Video: Western Alienation

This video looks at the Wexit Canada movement and the growing sense of Western Alienation in Alberta.

Highlighted Segment

• 3:06–8:58 (3 mins 19 secs): CBC: The National’s “In Depth” looks at Western Alienation in Calgary.

Suggested In-Class Discussion Questions

1. The current Wexit Canada movement in Alberta is but the latest incarnation of a sense of Western alienation which seems to manifest about every 20 years. Do Albertans have a point? Is there something about Confederation that is unfair to Alberta?
2. “We're going to make Alberta great again – and that's when we cut ourselves off from the leech that is eastern Canada.” – Peter Downing, Leader, Wexit CanadaDo you agree or disagree with Peter Downing? Why?
3. One of the main issues of concern for the current Wexit Canada movement is what is perceived to be a lack of federal support for the oil and gas industry in Alberta. What, if anything, could the federal government do to further support the oil and gas industry?
4. What is more important increased oil and gas development or increased environmental protection?
5. Gibbins, Arrison and Cooper, among others, argue that Western and Central Canada are separated not only by geography but also by values, a Western Vision. Do you agree that there is a set of values particular to the West? If so, what values separate Western Canada from the rest?

Suggested Assignment Questions

1. What would you do, if you were the prime minister, to decrease feelings of western alienation? Be specific, as to what decisions you would make and what policies you would adopt.
2. The material in this chapter could form the basis of a simulation game. Students could be divided into various teams representing stakeholder groups in discussions concerning western alienation and tasked with coming towards some form of agreement reducing feelings of western alienation.