I’ve cast my ballots in Alberta’s referendum. I voted NO on Questions 1 through 9, and on Question 10 I voted for Alberta to remain in Canada, and I’d like to explain why. Taken individually, some of these questions may sound appealing but I don’t believe they should be looked at individually. Let’s look at all ten questions together. This referendum deals with immigration, voting eligibility and the division of powers between Alberta and Ottawa. Question 10 goes further, asking whether Alberta should remain part of Canada or begin steps towards independence. For years, the UCP promoted an Alberta Pension Plan, replacing the RCMP with an Alberta police force and creating a homegrown tax collection agency. Considerable time and public money went into advancing those ideas, yet none appear on this ballot. Instead, the UCP shifted the battleground. Premier Smith says this referendum is intended to hear from Albertans, settle these issues and move on. I see a strong risk of the opposite. If Questions 1 through 9 pass, the government can take those results to Ottawa claiming Albertans gave them a mandate to continue the constitutional fight. So, what happens when Ottawa says no, or when other provinces refuse to support the changes being requested? My concern is that every rejection becomes fuel for the next argument that Confederation doesn't work and it keeps the dream of separation alive, along with all of the economic uncertainty that comes with it. This does not end on October 20th. Alberta has legitimate grievances with Ottawa. I've never suggested otherwise. Federal policies have hurt investment and restricted our ability to get resources to market, and Alberta should fight hard when our interests are being damaged. But there is a difference between fighting for Alberta within Canada and maintaining a state of permanent conflict with the rest of the country. I'm an Albertan, a conservative and a Canadian and I do not see any contradiction between those three things. I've made my decision and I respect the decision that others will make. Whatever your position on the individual questions, I encourage Albertans to look at the referendum as a whole and think about what our future might look like. So, don't just think about what this means today - ask what the government intends to do with the answer tomorrow. #referendum #canada #abpoli #abtory #alberta #ucp #ableg