Alberta fact check: Gary Mason wants Ottawa to threaten Alberta’s economy over a democratic referendum

Subhead:Alberta exercising a lawful democratic process should not trigger federal economic punishment.# Globe and Mail's BC-based Alberta columnist Gary Mason is now openly calling for Ottawa to economically pressure Alberta if Premier Danielle Smith permits a referendum on separation. Mason wrote on X: “If Danielle Smith announces a separatist referendum for the fall, the feds should immediately halt any further work towards a new pipeline until this question is resolved.” Alberta exercising a lawful democratic process should not trigger federal economic punishment. If Danielle Smith announces a separtist referendum for the fall, the feds should immediately halt any further work towards a new pipeline until this question is resolved. It shouldn’t be working with a government that facilitates the potential breakup of this country. — Gary Mason (@garymasonglobe) May 20, 2026 Quebec held two actual separation referendums, elected openly separatist governments multiple times, and continues to tolerate serious sovereignty sentiment at the highest levels of provincial politics. Yet Ottawa never threatened to freeze infrastructure projects or economically isolate Quebec for allowing voters to have their say.

Go to News Site