Author Marcello Di Cintio talks separatists, writing in contemporary Canadian society

The Writers' Trust of Canada celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. It's hosting events across the country, including here in Calgary.

Calgary author Marcello Di Cintio has taken a close look at Alberta’s separatist movement, and he doesn’t like what he sees.

“It represents this trucker convoy version of Alberta, which is not diverse, which is extremely white and Christian, and that’s not the Alberta that I live in. It’s certainly not Calgary. It’s certainly not Edmonton,” Di Cintio told CTV News.

In a recent article for The Tyee, Di Cintio wrote about his views on Alberta separatism, calling it “built on bigotry.”

Di Cintio cites a poll at a separatist rally at the Big Four at Stampede Park, where “immigration and deportation” were the top issue.

“If you look at their policy documents, not only will they change the rules for new Albertans, but also for ones that are already here. They plan on, if they become independent, going back and re-assessing every immigrant who’s in Alberta since 2015 and re-assessing them under the new rules. If they don’t follow those new rules, they’re out,” Di Cintio said.

Di Cintio will join other writers May 13 at the Decidedly Jazz Danceworks theatre for an event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Writers’ Trust of Canada.

“To celebrate this 50th anniversary, the Writers’ Trust wants writers to talk about our role as writers in a society that’s polarized and fractured. What’s the role of the writer in contemporary Canadian society?” Di Cintio said.