The West, and the rest

Western alienation. It sounds like some kind of psychological diagnosis. But, this seemingly neurotic term is serious and the symptoms have been plaguing Canada for a long time.

“This is real,” said Doreen Barry, professor of politics at the University of Calgary. “Western alienation is not a myth. It has its roots deep in the regions history, particularly on the prairies, which entered Confederation on a different basis from the other provinces. And the legacy of western alienation is this deep and abiding suspicion of the federal government. And the conviction that Confederation was for the benefit of Central Canada.”

Frustration has proven to be a key word when addressing western alienation. The provinces of Saskatchewan through to British Columbia express feelings of resentment and anger towards their misplacement in the role of shaping this nation.

The West is not alienated in the sense of a withdrawal of estrangement; in fact it is quite the opposite. Western Canada very much wants to be apart of the national debate. One cannot deny the steady growth in the west; these provinces are strong and vigorous and they have valuable solutions and ideas to bring to the table.

According to Barry, the frustration lies in the belief that the central government is indifferent to the aspirations of western Canada and their function in the national debate. She feels that Western Canada continues to be treated as a small place – even when it no longer is.

Preston Manning probably said it best when he created the Reform Party. He worked under the slogan “the west wants in.” An easterner might ask ‘into what?’ The answer: Into the Ontario, Quebec power structure and into a credible participant in the workings of this country.

“This idea of western alienation goes beyond the political forum,” said Jeff Grossen, born and raised in Vancouver. “It hits a personal level as well. It seems that the personal interests of those living in western Canada are not being heard. I sometimes feel that, as westerners, our best interests are not being handled with the full attention they deserve.”

Many westerners are convinced that over the decades federal practices and policies have transferred opportunities, jobs and people from their natural location in this region to Central Canada. A consensus continues that the decision-making system, whichever political party is in power, consistently discriminates in visible and invisible ways against the region.

When asked what his hopes are for the upcoming election, Grossen offers little comment: “I don’t really have any expectations anymore. I believe that the growing population in the west has the ability to strongly influence the outcome of the election, but nothing will change the geographical location of the government.”

The concept of separatism has been offered as a solution to the problem for some time. Doug Christie has been advocating Western Canadian independence since 1974. In 1978, this lawyer and famous defender of free speech formed a political movement and called it the Western Canada Concept. Christie speaks throughout the West on the possibility of creating a new nation of Western Canada.

The party is devoted to a peaceful secession of the four Western provinces and the two territories from Canada through four referenda held in each respective western province.

“The first and most obvious advantage separation allows to a Western Canadian is a clean slate. We could write our own new constitution for the first time a solid foundation of values like the constitutional right of referendum, initiative and recall,” Christie said.

According to Christie, the idea was and is being ridiculed and both Eastern Canadians and some westerners view the concept as a farce.

“But as someone who has publicly advocated western separation for the past 25 years, I believe one should avoid negative emotions which quickly pass, and focus rather on positive reasons for Western Canada separating and becoming a new nation,” he said.

Western alienation is not a myth or a creation of the media; it is real. Separatism has proven to be a lingering possibility, but the desire for a new national policy designed around fairness and equality seems to prevail.

“I think Western Canadians are in search of a more compassionate vision that will establish some kind of common purpose across the nation,” said Grossen.