First-time Conservative MP David Bexte had strong words in response to the Liberals’ throne speech, warning that growing Alberta separatism was a sign of deep discontent with Ottawa.
At a time of growing Western alienation, Bexte said “we don’t need a national strategy, we need Ottawa to get out of the way.”
Bexte was elected to represent Bow River, Alberta. He said he was elected on a promise to rip Ottawa “down to the studs and start rebuilding a country we can recognize again.”
He went on to address Alberta’s growing separatist movement, which has gained significant momentum since Carney’s election.
While she hasn’t endorsed the idea of leaving the federation, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she was “open” to the idea of allowing for a referendum on separation next year.
“Alberta separatism is no longer a fringe idea. I heard it at the doors more times than I can count, and I’ll tell you plainly, Alberta’s staying in confederation is not up to me and it’s not up to the liberal government,” said Bexte.
“It’s up to the people of Alberta, and the Albertans know that they have options. If this House continues to insult, abuse, and neglect Alberta, if it refuses to treat our people and our industries with the respect that they’ve earned, then the future of this country is not guaranteed.”
The Speech from the Throne was delivered by King Charles III on Monday to open the 45th Parliament, which Bexte called a “disrespect to the Crown.”
Accusing Prime Minister Mark Carney of the opposite, Bexte said there was little behind the throne speech, save for “pageantry and parades.”
“He disrespected the crown by using the king to deliver a tired and empty speech, meant to distract Canadians from a simple truth,” said Bexte in the House of Commons Thursday.
“I have deep respect for our institutions, but what Canadians needed this week wasn’t ceremonial flourishes, they needed substance. I ran to represent the people who built this country and now watch it being dismantled by people who don’t understand it and worse, don’t even like it.”
He accused the throne speech of offering only a “new set of buzzwords instead of a budget.”
The Bow River MP said that Canadians are tired of being lectured and gaslit that “everything is fine” while “house prices explode and services collapse.”
“We need to restore common sense and put Canadians first in their own country. Not sentiment, but solutions, not more speeches from elites in suits, but action for people and coveralls,” said Bexte.
Bexte added that if the government continues to “offer platitudes instead of a plan,” no politician should assume they’ll have their job tomorrow.
“At any moment this government could lose the confidence of the House. And when that moment comes, Canadians will remember who stayed with them and who stood in their way,” said Bexte. “Because when the system stalls, the Bow River keeps flowing.”
“The Bow runs past oil wells shut down by people who’ve never set foot on a rig. It flows past farms taxed by bureaucrats who couldn’t grow a weed.”
Bexte said that if Ottawa’s hostility towards Albertans continues, like the river that flows where it needs to go without permission, the people will do the same.