Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has chosen Alberta MP Dane Lloyd to lead the party’s efforts in the upcoming Alberta referendum on separation. Lloyd, a longtime resident of Alberta and a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces, will take on this new role, as announced by Poilievre in a letter to Lloyd.
In his letter, Poilievre acknowledged the concerns of Albertans and emphasized the importance of listening to their grievances. Poilievre, who advocates for Alberta to remain part of Canada, highlighted the common benefits that a stronger Alberta brings to the entire country.
Lloyd expressed his honor in participating in the referendum discussion and his commitment to a united Canada through a social media post. The Prime Minister recently appointed Morgan Breitkreutz as the government’s senior adviser on Alberta to oversee the federal response to the referendum and major projects such as the proposed West Coast pipeline.
Separation proponent Mitch Sylvestre noted the Conservatives’ stance on the referendum, attributing it to their desire to keep Alberta within Canada, given the significant number of seats they hold in the province. Evan Menzies, a former colleague of Lloyd’s, commended his character and understanding of Albertans’ frustrations. However, some analysts caution that Poilievre’s approach may inadvertently fuel separatist sentiments.
The referendum, scheduled for October 19, will include a question about Alberta’s continued Confederation membership and nine others related to immigration and the Constitution. The province’s residents will have the opportunity to voice their opinions on these critical issues.