The debate became about whether flag burning should be legal. It forced people to assess their views and question their beliefs. Eventually the issue died out as being nothing more than a fad and the spectacle receded into the background.

In Canada’s case, it would be Alberta patriots doing the burning and the most outraged would be the progressive mainstream for whom Canada is a leftist utopia beyond criticism. (The extreme left that hates Canada wouldn’t know how to react.) Consequently, this action would strike deeply into the hearts of people from across the nation and it would incite a new level of contempt and anger towards Alberta the likes of which has only been hinted at so far.

Why is this good?

2. It will radicalize normal Albertans

Normal, middle-ground Albertans will be appalled at the site of flag burning ceremonies. They will condemn and apologize and try to distance themselves from the actions. They will be embarrassed and ashamed, because the rest of the country will see Alberta as being totally disrespectful of Canada.

The vitriol coming at us will be severe and this vitriol will have the effect of getting normal Albertans offended at the over-reaction.

This was a tactic used by Quebec in the 1990s. Separatist leaders at the time would head to English Canada and appear on radio shows advocating separatism. Angry rubes would call into the shows and tear of strip off the politicians and condemn Quebec in reaction to their perceived treasonous behaviour. The politician would calmly sit there and take it. When the show ended, he’d leave, and then later he would use the audio clips that he recorded during the taping to play back to people in Quebec. Here’s what English Canada thinks of you Quebec! Play the tape!

The effect: even on federalist supporters in Quebec was resentment and defensiveness. It helped to get people asking, “Maybe Canadians actually do hate us and maybe we should separate.”





3. Polarization

An action like this would separate the wheat from the chaff. People saying, “we should separate” are for the most part, not serious. Actions like the Buffalo Declaration are just gatekeeping in the service of the status quo. When it comes down to it, Albertans won’t risk anything tangible in order to build a new country and all this posturing about doing so is akin to anime enthusiasts larping.

If you can’t stomach burning a flag, then you don’t have what it’s going to take to start a new country.