Manning’s threat of western separatism panned in Manitoba

The warning by a Conservative statesman that western separatism could rise in Manitoba if the Liberals are elected again has no traction with politicians and pundits here.

Reform Party founder Preston Manning wrote an opinion piece this week in The Globe and Mail that says western alienation is on the rise and will spread to Manitoba and B.C. should the Liberals win a fourth term on April 28, and that Liberal Leader Mark Carney may be “the last prime minister of a united Canada.”

Longtime Manitoba Conservative MP James Bezan called that “one man’s opinion.”

Bezan, who has been the MP for Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman since 2004, said he hadn’t read the piece by Manning.

In the late 1980s, Manning launched the populist, regional protest party dubbed Reform that in 2003 merged with the federal Progressive Conservatives to become the Conservative Party of Canada.

Bezan said he doesn’t hear much talk about western alienation or interest in secession in Manitoba.

“I’m a federalist,” said the incumbent who is seeking re-election. “We’ve had numerous Manitobans that have gone and stood up and fought in World War One, World War Two, the Korean War, Afghanistan,” he said.

“I believe in honouring those early pioneers who built this great country and our province, and I don’t think we just throw that away because of an election outcome,” Bezan said. “I still think we’re going to win, anyway.”

Candidates in Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative leadership race, to be held April 26, were asked if they expect to see a rise in western separatism in this province if the federal Conservatives lose the election.

Obby Khan, the MLA for Fort Whyte, didn’t directly answer the question but said now is the time for unity.

“I believe in a strong and united Canada, especially given all the challenges we are currently facing,” Khan said Friday in an email. “That’s why I am seeking the leadership of the PC party — to build a big tent that will unite our party as we work to unleash Manitoba’s full potential.”

Khan’s opponent, Wally Daudrich, who owns a lodge in Churchill, was unavailable for comment.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said the decision by the U.S. to launch a trade war has united the majority of Canadians.

“I think the voices saying ‘let’s continue to build this country up together’ far, far outweigh any of the other voices out there,” Kinew said this week when asked about the spread of western separatism.

“I love Canada so much,” said the premier who ordered a giant Canadian flag to be draped in front of the legislature. His government is hosting a rally for Canada on Sunday afternoon. “The distance that we’ve travelled together on questions of justice and society, really make us proud as Canadians.”

In his op-ed, Manning wrote that national pride is in peril, especially in western provinces, including Manitoba. The greatest future threat to national unity is emerging in the west, where the governing Liberals have failed to address the region’s greatest concerns, he said.

Manning referred to Pollara Strategic Insights reports that show 55 per cent of Albertans feel their province is being treated unfairly by the federal government, and that 20 per cent of Alberta and Saskatchewan residents would like to see their provinces separate from Canada and become their own country.

He warned that “large numbers of westerners simply will not stand for another four years of Liberal government, no matter who leads it.”

Support for western secession centred in Alberta and Saskatchewan “has the potential to spread to most of B.C., Manitoba and the adjacent territories, depending on how it is organized and led.”

“This time, unlike the late 1980s, there is no Reform Party to redirect that populist energy in a ‘West wants in’ direction,” Manning wrote.

Paul Thomas dismissed Manning’s view on western separatism, especially now.

“At this moment of national danger, and the strong response of patriotism and unity across the country, Manning’s argument that western separatism will surge after a Liberal victory is out of touch,” said the University of Manitoba political studies professor emeritus.

It reflects “a parochial Alberta perspective, and seems motivated to prop up a (Pierre) Poilievre campaign which so far has been missing the mark in terms of connecting with the majority of voters,” Thomas said.

Poilievre’s Conservatives appeared on track to win the election until U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Canada’s economy and sovereignty, and former central banker Mark Carney replaced Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader.

The Reform Party was never able make major inroads into Manitoba — “the most diversified, moderate and pragmatic among the Prairie provinces,” Thomas said.

“It has been the least frustrated and angry towards the actions and inactions of the national government.”

As a “have less” province that relies on national equalization payments, “separatist sentiments are very limited and less intense than in the provinces to the west of us,” he pointed out.

—With files from Malak Abas

[email protected]

Carol Sanders
Legislature reporter

Carol Sanders is a reporter at the Free Press legislature bureau. The former general assignment reporter and copy editor joined the paper in 1997. Read more about Carol.

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