ReachWest

Supporter of a Free Alberta. Purveyor of unacceptable views. Resolver of Difficult Tech Problems. Like dogs. Cats okay too. Detest slushy sidewalks.

[Keith Wilson @ikwilson]

“Direct democracy is for losers.” Ken Boessenkool

Think about the arrogance behind that statement.

If ordinary citizens believe they should have a direct say on important questions, apparently they are “losers” who should know their place and leave the big decisions to political insiders like Ken.

That is not merely disagreement with direct democracy. It is contempt for the citizens democracy is supposed to serve.

Arrogance: an overbearing display of superiority — acting as though you are smarter, more important, or better than everyone else.

Sometimes people define themselves better than anyone else ever could.

[Keith Wilson @ikwilson]

Thinking Option 1 is the “responsible” choice? I get it.

But Option 1 is the one that says to Carney: nothing needs to change.

If you want constitutional reform and you want to remain Canadian, Option 2 is the vote that actually helps Smith negotiate.
https://t.co/Xl96SbUzF4

[Cory Morgan @CoryBMorgan]

So much for the claim that the referendum would drive people out.

[Dennis Kalma @DennisKalma]

Professor Tombe raises three things.

Take all three at full value and the answer does not change.

1. Federal debt interest.
It is already in the paper. Forward to Freedom carries C$6.2 billion a year — the Library of Parliament's full population-share attribution, which we treat as the ceiling, not the midpoint.
It is one of four shocks in the adverse test, and the balance survives it.
This article says so two paragraphs before it says the surplus doesn't include it.

2. Defence at the NATO target.
Our mature force is C$5.0 billion, about 1.05 per cent of output — the cost of a described force, not a target.
If Alberta joined NATO and met 2 per cent, that is roughly C$9.6 billion, about C$4.6 billion more.

3. Pensions.
We ring-fence retirement income in an Alberta Pension Plan rather than running it through general revenue. That is a stated modelling choice, disclosed on the page, and Section 6 tests whether the plan carries the book as the population ages.
Bring it back onto general revenue and it is about C$5.1 billion.
But then note that the Alberta Pension Plan - without those disbursements - would be significantly overfunded and would likely cut contribution requirements.
Almost like a tax cut under a different name.

Now add all three: C$6.2 + C$4.6 + C$5.1 = C$15.9 billion.

Against a starting balance of C$22.2 to C$32.1 billion, that leaves C$6 to C$16 billion a year — still a surplus.

That is the point.
Every objection in this article can be granted in full, and Alberta still pays its way.
The workbook is published; anyone can redo that subtraction in a spreadsheet.

@ikwilson @RiseOfAlberta

[Wiretap Media @WiretapMediaCa]

💥BOMBSHELL: European Parliament confirms a COVID vaccine lottery—and some got the kill shot.

In a shocking admission that validates what millions suspected, the European Parliament confirmed the COVID vaccine rollout was a calculated experiment with human lives. Not everyone received the same formula—some got a low-concentration mRNA dose while others received what whistleblowers are calling "the kill shot"—a lethal amount designed to eliminate rather than protect.

But the deception runs even deeper —a troubling procedural order keeps both the public and even doctors from being fully informed. There are two sets of adverse data: one the pharmaceutical companies keep hidden, and one carefully curated for public consumption.

Perhaps the most damning: According to Marcel de Graaff of the FVD MEP, the EMA—Health Canada's equivalent—knew the mRNA vaccines neither treat nor stop transmission of COVID-19. Even worse, they concealed evidence that vaccinated people were MORE likely to contract the virus.

This isn't just a medical scandal—it's a crime against humanity.

[Dennis Kalma @DennisKalma]

The University of Calgary report and ours reach different numbers. Here is the reconciliation.

Start with their sentence: "Only about one-third, some $20 billion, is the cost of operating the federal services that Albertans now enjoy."

Of their $60.2 billion headline, roughly $38.5 billion is transfers and debt interest — money that flows to people whoever governs.

Operating a sovereign Alberta. They say $20.2B. We say C$3.6B.

They apportion sixteen per cent of federal spending - a shrunken copy of Canada.

We costed function by function using existing provincial capability where it already exists.

Their own method shows the difference.

Applying Canada's national staffing ratio, they arrive at "just over 76,000" people.

Their own report counts 18,880 federal employees currently working in Alberta. Four times as many, to do the same work.

We say 14,000 new ones coupled with the 27,000 already working for the Alberta government

Payments to citizens? They say $27.1B. We say C$11.6B.

The whole difference is retirement income. They place CPP-equivalent, OAS and GIS inside the transfer line. We ring-fence them in an Alberta Pension Plan funded by contributions and transferred assets, so they never draw on general revenue.

Nobody's cheque changes either way. Every recipient receives what they receive today, on the same rules, at the same rate.

One-time cost of standing up the state. They say $40–55B. We say C$4.96B.

This is where we are furthest apart.

Their capital figure values federal assets at original cost rather than net of depreciation, and scales the total from an international ratio rather than building it up.
Ours is built from the bottom and assumes Alberta uses the assets and systems it already has.
That is a genuine methodological disagreement, not a rounding difference

We have stress tested the borrowing premium in Forward to Freedom, but we do not agree with their estimate of it. In fact we think it will be minimal due to the excellent asset base we have, the strong exports Alberta will continue to have and our simpler and lower taxed economy.

As for lost economies of scale, look at our comparators with equivalently sized countries and see that they are, if anything, more efficient by far than the bloated Canadian economy and bureaucracy.

@coryn70

[Keith Wilson @ikwilson]

There are now TWO serious fiscal analyses Albertans can examine.

The UCalgary report models a “difficult” scenario involving hostile negotiations, much higher trade costs, higher borrowing costs and other adverse assumptions.

The new ATC analysis asks a different question: using revenues Alberta already generates, can Alberta pay for existing services AND the additional functions of a country?

Its answer, under its assumptions:

$22.2B–$32.1B surplus left over annually.

Even after layering in $13.5B/year of independence-specific adverse costs:

$8.7B–$18.6B remains.

Read both reports. Look at the assumptions. Then compare the numbers. https://t.co/KE4ElJvi2U

[FarmGeek @miss_tanyac]

Perhaps the largest provincial flag in Alberta!! A beautiful sight to see! 💙💙💙
Mossleigh, Alberta

[Keith Wilson @ikwilson]

There is another way to hear the slogan “Vote to Stay”:

STAY with the same high taxes.
STAY with the same record debt.
STAY with the same economic decline.
STAY with the same control by Ottawa.

The referendum is about whether Alberta can do better. Vote Option 2. https://t.co/70SdJ6CVcj

[Jason Lavigne @JasonLavigneAB]

Hey Carney, J.K. Rowling is talking about you. Bills C-8, C-9, C-22, C-25, C-34, and the others to come are exactly what she is talking about.

[Keith Wilson @ikwilson]

🚨 BREAKING: Two major new Alberta Transition Council reports released today.

The findings:

➡️ ~$4.96B one-time transition cost
➡️ $22.2B–$32.1B left over EVERY YEAR after paying the modeled costs of running an independent country

Those are remarkable numbers.

Alberta has enormous fiscal capacity--an economic powerhouse.

https://t.co/KE4ElJvi2U

[Dennis Kalma @DennisKalma]

Ok everybody, its been a journey with some of the finest Albertans to walk the face of this earth, but we have just posted Forward to Freedom on the website.

It answers one question. Once the transition is over, does Alberta raise enough to pay for a country?

A resounding yes is the answer.

Read for yourself

https://t.co/oWl7KR3o5Z

[Keith Wilson @ikwilson]

A presentation is one thing.

Having the argument tested by Preston Manning, Candice Bergen, Jack Mintz, Dwight Newman and others is another.

At the Canada West Assembly in Calgary, I presented my case for Option 2 and discussed Alberta’s economy, trade, constitutional options, Indigenous rights, transition planning and what could follow the referendum.

The Q&A starts around the 30-minute mark and is particularly worth watching.

Here’s the full discussion:
https://t.co/iYC1yWEkWr

[Zachary McRae | Fight for Canada @ZacharyMcR28365]

BANK OF CANADA JUST ISSUED A BRUTAL TRADE-WAR WARNING

[Cory Morgan @CoryBMorgan]

Defund the Assembly of First Nations. They are nothing but a lobby group anyway.

By the way.

The body count at the Kamloops Residential School site remains at zero.

It was a hoax.

Charge me. I dare you.

Then, let's get some shovels.

[Mike Jamieson @MikeJamiesonYYC]

I love Canada, I love Alberta, and I love Calgary. But this wasn't Council's place. The City should stay neutral. Full statement below.

[Thelmle66 @Thelmle66]

I have to vent. I was out delivering literature on voting Option 2 for the Referendum as I truly believe it is a crucial step that enables Albertans to have leverage with Ottawa.

I handed a flyer to a younger man (likely early 40s) and said "Here is some information to consider for the Referendum". He glanced and saw Alberta Independence on the brochure and handed it back to me yelling "If you vote Option 2, you are voting to separate". I said "This is not a vote for separation, have you read the questions". He yelled "Traitor....traitor....get off my property..."

Initially he seemed to look like a reasonably intelligent man, but ultimately was so very ill informed and had a considerable social skill deficit as well. Surely these people are capable of having a respectful dialogue, aren't they?

These are the same people that claim to be champions of diversity, equity and inclusion. Really...they are proving themselves to be anything but!

I am almost 70 years old, and can say with honesty, I have never seen such unaccepting, divisive behavior like what we have been seeing in the last few years. Is it the government propaganda at work? Is it the media? Is it the shots? Something is really off and it is just sad to watch.

[Sam Cooper @scoopercooper]

I’m ready to assess that the current trade negotiation breakdown between Ottawa and Washington does involve the Carney Government embracing Chrétien Era deep PRC engagement policies. There are factors on both sides including Trump’s aggressive rhetoric, but Ottawa’s PRC policy must be accounted for. Canadians don’t need to give the ‘benefit of the doubt’ to their political class, they must demand results.

[Laura Ingraham @IngrahamAngle]

🚨 CANADA: No oncologist yet — but a MAID pamphlet arrived

Kristin Logan: “I hadn’t even seen an oncologist yet before I got that pamphlet.”

“As I’m waiting for even the first call from the oncology team, I get this pamphlet in the mail basically telling me that I can go and kill myself.”

“At that point you realize what a DYSTOPIAN situation it is.”

[ReachWest @ReachWest]

Confidence in your capability to referee this (and all) voting processes is being seriously eroded, @ElectionsAB

[Let Alberta Decide @LetABDecide]

STATEMENT: Election Rules Mean Nothing Unless They Apply Equally

There is an important correction that needs to be made to today’s reporting about Forever Canadian.
Forever Canadian is not “now” becoming a registered referendum third-party advertiser.

@ElectionsAlberta’s own website says Forever Canadian has been a registered referendum TPA since June 8, 2026.

That matters.

Registered referendum TPAs are subject to strict rules. Individual donors must ordinarily reside in Alberta. Contributions are limited to $5,000. Referendum advertising spending is capped at $607,000. Contributions must be reported weekly.

Let Alberta Decide and the other registered campaigns have been complying with those rules throughout this campaign.

Yet, as of Elections Alberta’s latest public disclosure through September 17, Forever Canadian is still shown as having reported $0.00 in referendum-advertising contributions.

That is difficult to reconcile with what Albertans have watched unfold publicly over the last several months.
Forever Canadian has operated campaign offices in Edmonton and Calgary. It has conducted an extensive province-wide lawn-sign operation and has publicly said it expects to distribute more than 100,000 signs. It has operated its Unity Bus, organized events and, just yesterday, presented a large free concert in Calgary.

Thomas Lukaszuk has also publicly invited people outside Alberta to donate and Forever Canadian previously advertised that there were “no limits on donation amounts.”

Those facts are why Let Alberta Decide filed a detailed formal complaint with Elections Alberta on July 21 asking for an investigation. Yet Elections Alberta has taken no action.

Importantly, our complaint did not ask Elections Alberta to silence Forever Canadian or prevent it from advocating for Canada. They have every right to make their case.

The issue is whether the same election-finance rules are being applied equally to everyone.

Announcing in late September that Forever Canadian will now explicitly campaign for Option 1 does not answer what happened between May and today. Nor does it answer how the substantial campaign activity already undertaken has been funded, valued and treated under the legislation.

These are not minor bookkeeping questions. Election-finance laws exist so Albertans can know who is financing referendum campaigns, so contribution and spending limits apply equally, and so no participant obtains an unfair financial advantage.

We are deeply disappointed that, despite formal complaints supported by evidence, these questions remain unresolved so close to voting day.

Elections Alberta should act promptly and transparently. It should determine what contributions and expenditures are properly attributable to Forever Canadian’s referendum campaign, require the disclosure required by law, determine whether prohibited or excessive contributions were accepted, and take whatever enforcement action the legislation requires.

This is bigger than Forever Canadian or Let Alberta Decide.

Elections Alberta’s most important responsibility in this referendum is to administer the rules impartially and maintain public confidence that every participant is playing by the same rules.

With less than a month until voting day, Albertans deserve clear answers and deserve Elections Alberta to do better. https://t.co/P6XI3SdMq2