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Governments of all levels across Canada have recently launched unprecedented attacks against Alberta’s industries and livelihoods and Albertans are angry. Most Albertans feel exploited by Canada. They resent being treated like a colony in their own country. Because of this, the risk of Alberta separatism is real.

The treatment of the energy industry and its impact on jobs has changed the psyche of Albertans. At the same time, agriculture, Alberta’s second-largest industry, has been hammered by three very poor years. A people that feel insulted, unvalued and exploited will consider options that just a few years ago were unthinkable.

The risk of Alberta separating may not be immediate — Alberta would not vote to separate today. But there is a real risk of Alberta getting pushed out of Confederation. One or two more setbacks and Alberta separatism will move into “winning conditions” territory.

Kenney is not acknowledging this. He has made it clear that while he understands the frustrations of regular Albertans, he is a Canadian nationalist and will always remain so. Kenney’s usually excellent political radar has failed him, as this line of thinking doesn’t match the feelings of many Albertans. It is also a poor bargaining position. He has surrendered his most important bargaining chip and the elites who run Canada have noticed.

Most Albertans still love Canada. They believe it can be fixed. But that love is not unconditional. Albertans also recognize that the marriage between Alberta and the rest of Canada is deeply troubled and that there are elements in Canada determined to push Alberta out of Confederation. Most Albertans know fixing a troubled marriage takes work. They also know not all marriages can be saved. A marriage becomes unsalvageable when one side completely stops caring about the other side’s feelings, interests and needs.