Preston Manning is taking a prominent role in the lead-up to Alberta’s upcoming fall referendum by headlining a public discussion on Western Canada’s enduring grievances with the federal government. The virtual sessions, scheduled for September 19 and 20, will be co-chaired by Manning, the former leader of the Reform Party, and former B.C. premier Gordon Campbell.
The event coincides with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s plan to present 10 questions to voters on October 19, including whether they support the province’s continued membership in Canada or advocate for a second binding referendum on separation.
Manning emphasized that the purpose of the sessions is to inform and engage voters without devolving into the typical partisan disputes often seen in public forums. He stressed the importance of active participation in the referendum, regardless of individual viewpoints.
In contrast to previous advisory panels, such as the Alberta Next panel and the Fair Deal panel in which Manning participated, this forum aims to have a broader scope and avoid a narrow partisan focus, allowing speakers to present a range of perspectives.
The assembly intends to convene a subsequent session in October to formulate recommendations following Alberta’s referendum. These proposals will be shared with policymakers across Western Canada, as concerns regarding the federal government’s role extend beyond Alberta and are relevant to other provinces.
Manning highlighted the assembly’s democratic nature, emphasizing the importance of fostering constructive dialogue and restoring faith in democratic institutions, especially among disenchanted youth. The forum also seeks to draw attention to Smith’s additional ballot questions, including proposals related to social services for immigrants and constitutional negotiations on Senate reform and judicial appointments.
Smith views these proposals as a way to address some of Alberta’s grievances with Ottawa while affirming her commitment to Alberta’s continued inclusion in Canada. Manning suggested that a positive vote on the nine additional proposals could embolden provinces to assert themselves on issues within federal-provincial jurisdiction, such as immigration.