Former Reform Party leader Preston Manning questions Canadian unity post-election

Former Reform Party leader Preston Manning says Canada's unity could be at risk if Mark Carney is elected PM.

A national opinion piece warns Canadians that the country’s unity could be threatened depending on who wins the election.

The former leader of the Reform Party, Preston Manning, wrote a Globe and Mail opinion piece saying he thinks if the Liberals get in again, western provinces might decide to separate from the country.

“A vote for (Mark) Carney could be a vote that triggers western secession,” Manning said.

He said it includes Alberta and Saskatchewan, possibly even parts of B.C., Manitoba and the territories.

Manning adds that right now, there isn’t a western-focused party, like his Reform Party was in the 1980s, so political leaders need to get organized to handle separation talks.

Earlier this week, Alberta’s premier indicated she would not lead a separation movement, saying there is legislation for civilian-led referendums.

“I leave it to Albertans who may feel differently to put forward a petition campaign. But I think my job as an Albertan, and as a Canadian, is to try to put on the table the issues that are causing grave tension in our federation and to solve them,” Smith said.

Those who want Alberta to become independent, or to join America, say that goal will remain, no matter who wins the federal election.

“As an Albertan, what do you get from Canada, besides too much regulation and too much taxation?” said lawyer Jeffrey Rath, who is part of a group advocating for Alberta becoming a sovereign nation or a U.S. territory or state.

Manning said voters, especially in Atlantic Canada and Ontario, need to realize the ramifications of their votes.

In his editorial, he said if elected, Carney could be in the history books as the last prime minister of a united Canada.

“The editorial is tone-deaf,” said Keith Brownsey, political scientist with Mount Royal University.

“We’re not in a unity crisis; we’re in an economic crisis, a social crisis and a god-knows-what-will-happen-with-the-United-States crisis.”

He said the rhetoric could chase voters away from the Conservatives.

Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre disagreed with Manning’s suggestion that voting Liberal will eventually lead to the breakup of Canada.

He said he wants to unite the country after nearly a decade under the Liberals and stand up against the U.S.

B.C. Premier David Eby also denounced Manning’s idea, saying Canada seems very united under the trade-war threat.

Albertans weighed in as well.

“We’re not respected by the rest of Canada at all, so yep, totally game to separate,” Martina Bloom said.

“I understand people are hurting and wanting to be heard, but I don’t think more separating and more division is the answer,” Morgan Parker said.