Preston Manning is taking a prominent role in the lead-up to Alberta’s upcoming fall referendum by headlining a public forum focused on addressing Western Canada’s enduring concerns with the federal government. The virtual sessions, scheduled for September 19 and 20, will be jointly chaired by Manning, the former leader of the Reform Party, and former British Columbia premier Gordon Campbell.
The forum coincides with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s plan to present 10 questions to voters on October 19, one of which will inquire about their preference for Alberta’s future within Canada or the possibility of holding a second binding referendum on separation.
Manning emphasized that the purpose of the events is to provide educational insights and encourage voter participation without descending into the usual partisan disputes often seen in public forums. He highlighted the distinct approach of this forum compared to previous advisory panels like the Alberta Next panel led by Smith and the previous Fair Deal panel in which Manning participated.
The forum aims to offer a broader perspective by featuring speakers presenting various viewpoints rather than promoting one stance over another. It is not solely focused on Alberta, as a follow-up session is planned for October to formulate recommendations following the referendum. The intention is to share these proposals with policymakers across Western Canada, acknowledging that concerns regarding federal government involvement extend beyond Alberta.
Manning stressed that the assembly is designed as a nonpartisan democratic exercise to address the erosion of democratic processes in legislative bodies and to inspire confidence in democratic institutions, particularly among young people. The forum also seeks to draw attention to Smith’s nine additional ballot questions, which include proposals related to immigration, constitutional negotiations on the Senate, and the appointment of superior court judges by provinces.
Smith has characterized these proposals as a potential political compromise to address Alberta’s grievances with Ottawa while affirming her commitment, along with her United Conservative Party, to remain part of Canada. Manning believes that a positive vote on these proposals would encourage provinces to assert their authority on matters falling under shared federal-provincial jurisdiction, such as immigration.
