The separatist crisis currently broiling in Alberta is forcing hard conversations among those of us who remain committed to keeping the province in a strong and proud Canadian Confederation. Hard because, frankly, we're frustrated, too. The status quo is not desirable. Yet a referendum on separation in the current circumstances is even less desirable. 

 

This province and this country can be better. We don't get there by holding a divisive referendum on separation just as we are making progress on climate and energy policy with the recent Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between Alberta and the federal governments. 
 

Welcome to Lead Not Leave: a team of academics, policy wonks, political activists and journalists forging a practical path forward for our fellow frustrated federalists.

Our goal is to address Alberta's legitimate frustrations in a way that is productive and pro-active, strengthening both Canada and our province’s place within it. Where separatists are offering attractive ideas, we'll test them out. When their claims are rooted in wishful thinking or a retreat from grounded reality, we will call them out.

 

And we start by calling on the Alberta government to not hold a referendum on separation and instead focus on making the case for Alberta in Canada with a credible set of policy proposals - beginning with the progress demonstrated by the recent MOU - that will ensure this next generation of Albertans is leading the country, not leaving it.
 

As we have so often before.