A member of the Alberta Prosperity Project, a key pro-separation group, has stepped down following the use of a racial slur during an event where a draft constitution for an independent Alberta was unveiled. The event, organized by the “Stay Free Alberta” initiative petition, featured the Black Hat Gang from Medicine Hat, who were instrumental in creating the constitution. Ian Parkinson, a member of the group, co-authored the draft constitution named the “Foundation of Freedom,” which was presented in Airdrie and broadcasted online.
Parkinson’s offensive comment, targeting Sikh, Muslim, or Arab individuals, received applause from some attendees. In response, Mitch Sylvestre, the leader of the Alberta Prosperity Project, promptly accepted Parkinson’s resignation, emphasizing the group’s disapproval of such remarks. The group clarified that Parkinson was not a board member or officer.
Criticism of the draft constitution extended beyond Parkinson’s remarks. Several separatist leaders, including Keith Wilson, expressed concerns over the proposed document’s content, which includes unconventional elements like a new government branch called the “oversight branch” and elected judges in a sovereign Alberta.
Although the draft constitution was not publicized online before the article’s publication, there was a lack of consensus among separatist groups regarding its merit. Wilson and other figures distanced themselves from the document, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive and thorough discussion on Alberta’s potential constitution.
Despite internal disagreements, Sylvestre emphasized that the draft constitution served as a starting point for broader conversations and future constitutional conferences. The ongoing division within the separatist movement highlights the challenges in presenting a unified plan for potential Alberta independence, with political observers noting the absence of a clear roadmap for separation.
The article underscores the complexity and fragmentation within the separatist movement as Albertans prepare to vote on October 19.