Should Alberta and Quebec separate from Canada? Canada should embrace a stronger sense of national indivisibility. France’s Constitution begins with the principle that the Republic is “indivisible” and that all citizens are equal before the law. Canada is not France, and our federal system is different, but the underlying idea is worth defending: a country belongs to all its people, not to one province, one party, or one generation. The Supreme Court of Canada has already made this clear. In the Quebec Secession Reference, the
Court confirmed that no province has the right to leave Canada unilaterally under Canadian or international law. The Clarity Act further requires a clear question, a clear majority, constitutional negotiations involving the federal government and all provinces, and the protection of Indigenous and minority rights. The only serious moral and international law justification for leaving a federal state unilaterally is remedial: when a people is colonized, occupied, oppressed, deprived of equal rights, denied meaningful democratic participation, or placed at real risk. That is not the
case in Quebec, and it is not the case in Alberta. The Supreme Court described external self-determination as exceptional, applying to colonial peoples, people under foreign domination, or groups denied meaningful access to government. Quebec and Alberta have elected legislatures, elected MPs, provincial powers, courts, Charter protections, and full participation in Canada’s democratic life. Section 15 of the Canadian Charter guarantees equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination. Quebec has 78 seats in the House of Commons, Alberta has 37, Quebec’s National
Assembly has 125 elected members, and Alberta’s Legislature has 87 elected constituencies. This does not mean grievances are imaginary. Quebec has legitimate concerns about language, culture, and autonomy. Alberta has legitimate concerns about energy, equalization, and federal decision-making. But the democratic answer is reform, negotiation, and stronger federalism, not breaking apart a country that protects the rights of all its citizens. The whole is greater than any one province. Canada should respect regional identities, address regional frustrations, and improve the federation. But we should also
be clear: Canada is not disposable. It belongs to all of us. (Amar Sangha has an MSc in Public Administration and Public Policy from the Department of Government from the London School of Economics)
Alberta, Quebec, separation, Clarity Act, Supreme Court of Canada, Quebec Secession Reference, Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Indigenous and minority rights, federalism
So basically Canada should just say no to leaving? Ok.
Not gonna lie, this reads like Quebec and Alberta should shut up and accept the current system. But if equalization is messed up, how is that “indivisible” exactly? I’m confused.
Wait, I thought the Clarity Act meant if a province votes, they can just go like… automatically. But then it says negotiations and all provinces and federal stuff so I guess it’s not that simple? Either way, people act like it’s one-sided.
Amar Sangha is saying separation isn’t justified unless like colonial oppression?? That’s a lot of words to basically say “no one can leave.” Also why are we comparing Canada to France’s constitution like that helps? Alberta talks about energy all the time and Quebec about language, but somehow the article just blames it all on “reform” and not actually listening. Idk, seems like they’re missing the point and the Supreme Court stuff is just a cover.