Dear Alberta, We know you’ve felt alienated by our coverage. Last week we even tossed in a token Albertan. Tonight, as you vote on your own future, four Easterners will explain what it all really means for you—because we can. We’ll call it a test of “cooperative federalism.” We’ll note that leverage is detestable (except from Quebec). We’ll observe that only some of you truly want separation, so the rest of your anger must be irrational. We’ll remind you the Premier is just saving her job and that referendums settle nothing. Your actual grievances will be acknowledged, then reframed as failure to understand the federation. It will never be about Eastern superiority or self-righteousness. But thank you for the tax dollars and resources that fund our $1.5 billion budget. Love, Brodie Fenlon Editor-in-Chief, CBC News, Toronto