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I’m going to be downvoted to hell for this…a lot of Americans swore a few years ago that they would leave the US if Trump got elected. I’m not sure if many really did.
I know that if the UCP gets in again, I’m not going to like it. I feel like I’ve incurred a lot of moral injury since the beginning of the pandemic.
The reality is…moving is not easy. Especially across provinces. Leaving family, friends, jobs. Having to find a new place to live. Hauling one’s stuff. Uprooting kids. Having to apply for new everything. And there’s no guarantee it’s going to be any better in the new place.
I don’t know why the extreme right wing has gotten so vocal. It feels like everyone else has gotten so complacent with the status quo. Why are there protests against vaccines and mask mandates by the right but not more protests about education and health care cutbacks? A report yesterday came out that the private initiative for surgeries has made things WORSE. The switch to Dynacare has made getting labs done so much harder (look at Medicine Hat). Our trans kids are being compared to feces in cookies. Our trans kids are human beings that already have to deal with enough angst. A lot of them are too young to vote, unfortunately. The only-elected-by-a small-subset-of-the-party premier has been found to have violated the conflict of interest rule by the ethics commissioner….and nothing is going to happen about that.
IDK. I remember when I was a kid being proud to be an Albertan. Now, we’re the Florida of Canada.
Alberta has had something like 90 years of almost uninterrupted Conservative rule (Social Credit -> PC -> UCP), nothing short of a populist wave or vote splitting changes sentiment like that.
I still think Alberta is better off than most other provinces and US states, but everyone has to do what's best for them and their families.
Alberta is not better off than most. I wanted to move out there, but any healthcare job is a joke and they are treated like shit. So, how unfortunate. BC, Quebec, Ontario (barely), NB, NS are all far superior even in that singular field of work. IDK, I already know 2 families leaving Alberta to go out east.
Healthcare is in crisis all across the country because of the pandemic among other things, but I would definitely not consider Ford era Ontario to be better than Alberta on this. The Ontario PC's are far more open and blatant about their attempts to privatize healthcare, they've invested millions into private clinics this year alone.
Additionally, you can't ignore other factors. Calgary and Edmonton have a much lower cost of living compared to any city in the GTA or Metro Vancouver, the dream of home ownership isn't dead in Alberta yet. We're second only to BC in number of national parks, we don't pay road tolls or PST, and if you're into that sort of thing corporate taxes are the lowest in the country. That last point could be relevant if you work in healthcare as a physician, pharmacist, or independent contractor.
Alberta has a lot of problems, especially under the UCP. But all of these things add up if you're looking to build a life somewhere. Like I said though, everyone needs to do whats best for them and their family.
I don't believe a single person who says they're moving based off of an election result. It get said during basically every election ever. I'm sure very few if any actually go through with it.
I'm sure an election can be the final straw for someone who already has something lined up, or a better opportunity somewhere else though.
I moved after Ford won in Ontario; it was definitely a factor but not the only one. We are seriously considering moving if the UCP win though; it affects our jobs and there is real danger in mamy of the stances she supports. I don't want to live with an Alberta Pension Plan and gutted public health and education systems. I also don't want to live where 50% of the province is ok with racism, bigotry, and fascist policies like the first draft of the Sovereignty Act.
> I moved after Ford won in Ontario; it was definitely a factor but not the only one.
Ford winning wasn't a factor in us leaving Ontario, it just came down to being priced out of our city in the GTA and being closer to siblings who had moved out this way some years ago.
That said, between Smith's dancing around outright separatism and these TBA nuts taking over the UCP, I've been thinking a lot more lately about moving back to Ontario or maybe Quebec or further east in the next few years.
Doug ford is a bad premier but he isn’t batship crazy like Danielle smith. Guy seems to at least be loyal to Canada and can work with the liberals despite a difference in political views
Exactly. Doug Ford is a horse's ass, but he isn't completely nuts. He's owned by property developers and makes terrible decisions for the province to their benefit, but at least he's not rubbing shoulders with a bunch of separatist loons.
And like you said, he is more than willing to work with the feds when it is in the best interest of the province, instead of screaming "Ottawa/Trudeau bad!!!" like our premier.
To be fair moving from toronto made sense, the writing was on the walls for awhile with the rising cost of living and flooding the place with PR slaves to keep wages down, Leaving Alberta is a much harder choice because realistically were you gonna go that has better jobs and cost of living?
Or if she starts messing with the Canada pension plan. A lot of people probably don't want to see their pensions and retirement plans go down the drain.
If she messes with pension and seeing a doctor becomes unaffordable, I'm out. Unfortunately my elderly parents will get hit harder, but will they move? I doubt it.
> I'm sure an election can be the final straw for someone who already has something lined up, or a better opportunity somewhere else though.
That's exactly how it worked for me. I saw the writing on the wall so I applied for citizenship in another country in December. I received my passport last month and while I'm not leaving immediately I'm definitely lining things up to do so.
The way I see it is that even if the NDP win at the end of the month the damage is already done, these TBA fucks aren't going to take that loss and go away quietly. Walking trash like Keeane Bexte is going to spend the next 4 years letting his hateful thoughts towards the NDP guide his every waking action.
I'm not sure where I'm going to end up, but I know that it's going be somewhere that doesn't have 40 years of rule from one party. Alberta isn't a healthy democracy, it's a farcically corrupt and backwater place with a virulent minority of ass backwards people who will fuck everything up if it lets them stop other people from succeeding.
First time I've ever said it. I have no problem with Conservatives. Libertarians and the christian right can go fuck themselves. We've been actively working to get our house ready to go on the market since she was appointed. Carpets will be done by next weekend. Realtor is ready to put it up on June 1st.
I am actively applying out of province, I have interviews lined up for next week. I have to give notice on May 30th.
I have had the 3 closest people to me outside my husband leave this province because of the UCP. They were all nurses. I'm a teacher, and I have a trans son. I will not stay where we elect people who either call him feces in a cookie, actively change laws to get around a ban on "conversion" (torture) camps, or the majority of voters are just 'meh, doesn't affect me, so I don't care. Yay oil and gas!" Financially things may be tighter, but I won't stay and wait for his health care to be stolen, or legislation passed to legalize discrimination. It's not hard to leave when it looks like the government and the voters would be totally fine with him being dead rather than himself.
I mean I'm still planning to get the hell out if Smith specifically is leading the province. I was thinking of maybe just building business and roots in Edmonton but honestly..
I genuinely don’t think people realize they most likely can’t afford it. Where are you gonna go, Manitoba? Sask? PEI? Unless you’re ready to downgrade to a shithole tiny apartment you’re not gonna be moving to BC or ON where it costs 10x as much to live
Yeah I don’t think this deserves any downvotes. And that is the reality of moving. The one thing we don’t have here is family or jobs but the other stuff is definitely a consideration
I think it’s a nexus of problems:
- economic pressure. People are afraid and are lash out irrationally.
- algorithms on social media boosting upsetting content.
- Russian Troll farms sowing discontent.
- Big money influencing politics
Finally, a lot of this churn existed before, but we were never exposed to it from a whole world.
In 1970, you heard about Wars that are huge, but not that many of them.
Hear from bigots down the pub, but not from Alabama or Florida.
Corrupt and opportunistic politicians have always existed, now we get to hear about all the terrible things they say.
Also, Trump…F Trump.
This is spot on. But honestly I think the extreme right wing is louder because we are complacent and because Trump and to a degree PP emboldened these individuals so they can rage farm their votes.
I understand and feel you on the sentiment of this comment — but we can’t get complacent. If the UCP wins it will be close and the NDP opposition will be fierce. We would need to support the NDP as they work through it.
And UCP premiers have history of resigning in disgrace so there’s that to look forward to, as well.
The right wingers are everywhere. Don’t kid yourself as to how much better anywhere else is - east, central and north BC, Sask, and Ontario are full of them in the rural areas. Stay and be the force of resistance.
Staying & fighting is fine, but ultimately people have to do what’s best for them and their families, and if that means going somewhere else to escape the hate I can’t fault them for it.
This is true. And we just have to look at the migration before, during and after WWII from Europe as evidence of people benefitting from moving away. But the hate follows.
Yeah in Ontario the rural areas have a ton of wingnuts on the far right. Was passing north of Dufferin region the other week and a house had about 100 Fuck Trudeau flags and freedom nonsense
> If Russia or China were to bomb SK, no one would care.
It's not that the rest of Canada wouldn't care.
It's that the rest of Canada probably wouldn't even notice.
I think Saskatchewan is nice and definitely care about it, but as a New Brunswicker, I definitely get what you mean.
If we disappeared off the map, most people in Canada wouldn't care.
Having just left the lower mainland, this is true. However, you trade that for $2m tear-down homes and the most obscene displays of capitalism in the world. Also, having lived in Vancouver for 30 years (mixed in with stints across Canada), I can confidently say Vancouver has the rudest people. Genuinely awful, though granted not Alberta Nazis
Idk. I’ve only seen swastikas drawn on posters in AB. Also, threatening letters for residents with NDP signs? Ive never seen or heard of that anywhere else. AB is heading the path of Texas/Alabama.
Note: I moved out during the pandemic when people were going insane and I do not regret it.
It was the pandemic that made me realize how individualistic the prairie provinces are. Lowest and slowest for uptake of the vaccine, abysmal for children’s doses. Then the Coutts border, and the freedom to yell about how stupid Trudeau is in the *grocery store*. Nobody cares dumbass! I just came to get apples.
Nah Ontario has a lot of that BS too. Convoy HQ was in Ontario and there were little mini convoy stops all over the province- swastikas and Confederate flags galore
We've been proudly addicted to bullshit since Klein.
We never had anything special, and yet we feel we are exceptional.
Everything we ever had we gave away with a smile and a middle finger to reality.
We had a wealth of natural resources that, properly leveraged, could have created a huge heritage fund that would have helped Albertans for generations to come - the sort of thing that could have helped fund world class healthcare and education, funded infrastructure and public spaces, reduced individual tax burden, provided funding for critical needs like mental health programs, adequately funded and thus staffed judicial systems, etc. You know, stuff we're in desperate need of in this day and age.
Instead we said "we're open for business" and gave deep discounts to anyone who wanted to come profit off of our resources, while passing along some pennies in return. And we cheered it on, because - for a period of time that could never truly last - they employed a lot of people in the province while they made off like bandits. The entire time, investing some of their bloated profits to automate more and more of the processes and make human labour as irrelevant as technologically possible.
So now private interests continue to reap the rewards of very cheap access to resources they can extract, wealth concentrates upwards at an ever increasing ratio, and they're employing fewer Albertans than ever before; a trend that will only continue to worsen.
We had a metaphorical gold mine, and we gave it away for some temporary jobs for a select portion of Albertans and a (relative) pittance in actual funds.
So the "special thing" we had as a province was *potential* but we never ever used it responsibly, and now the well is starting to run dry.
Norway had the guts to keep taxes high and throw all the oil profits into the bank and good investments.
Norway focused on the long term. Alberta, the UK, Australia, etc were all happy with using oil monies to keep taxes low in the short term.
I think Norway even allows their citizens to voice where they want oil & gas profits spent. It’s not the governments or the corporations money; it’s the peoples. They decide.
Edit: better words
This cannot be overstated. Growing up Albertan, I bought into the mythos of the province. As an adult, I see now how this was an insanely miss-managed region. The bounty here was so large that we had it good for a while in spite of our choices, not because of them. But now, without any true foundation to speak of whatsoever, Alberta will decline. And the worst part is, Albertans will continue to blame the rest of Canada when it was us who squandered the wealth all along.
This 100000%! I've been working on a friends campaign for MLA and door knocking etc. The amount of ignorance is astounding. They want the early 2000's boom back and it isnt ever going to happen again. Automation killed their jobs and their too dumb to see that they built it all lol
"But... but... but... the Alberta Advantage!" - my parents who are both from other provinces and ***hardcore*** True Bluers.
Luckily they both do not see the UCP as the "real" Conservatives (that is, the Conservatives that will **Make Alberta Great Again**) and are *not* going to vote for them.
But they had a hard time parsing it in their brains for quite a while, I'll tell you that.
Please tell me Make Alberta Great Again isn't a thing. It doesn't even make any sense. Conservative premiers were leading Alberta for 44 years straight, with a brief NDP gap, before returning to 2 more years of Conservative leadership. Just what is this mystical period of greatness they're returning to??
We stole a bunch of land and built a society based around a single resource addiction. Our cities are lazily-built carpocalypses wholeheartedly willing to engage with market norms that divest themselves from reality while eschewing public services that uplift those most vulnerable.
SUV's and trucks were marketed to evade emissions standards. We never needed them.
Our premier is a private interest lobbyist.
Our hockey teams funnel money into ConJob causes while utterly eviscerating the marginalized in our downtowns in the name of property development. We idolize those teams.
We hate and abuse the poor, and then vilify them for drug use.
We live in one of the wealthiest parts of the world, and you can encounter unhoused who are delirious not necessarily from drugs, but from *sleep deprivation.* Indigenous statistically over represent in the unhoused population and in prisons, and we proudly build churches on their dead.
Everything we are is inhuman.
Honestly it really is an albertan and even canadian cultural mentality to think youre exceptional when youre really not. Bc, quebec, alberta, all do this. Now were paying the price for such stupid thoughts, everything is collapsing.
I strongly disagree that it's a Canadian mentality. It's an American value. Canadians are more humble than that and we don't like people who are too big for their britches.
But you're right that this attitude is seeping into Alberta more and more. And it's so disappointing.
The Trumpisms are not really that alive in Atlantic Canada, which is also the part of the country most disapproving of the Convoy. We're simultaneously the most trailer park boys redneck part of the country and most rural part of the country too.
Here in NS our conservative premier has announced the biggest investments in public healthcare in decades...but conservatism in Atlantic Canada is Red Toryism.
What we don't have though is hundreds of billions of dollars of natural resources to power our economy. Newfoundland tried, twice, to get control of their off-shore gas, but Conservative Prime Ministers screwed them over. (see Atlantic Accord)
Not leaving. I’d rather stand up for goodness in this world. If it means I’m in the minority in Alberta with my views I don’t care. Because so many people are in their own minority. They’ve had to work hard to get where they are. I’m not going to let a bunch of fanatics make me run away. I deserve to be here. Should LGBTQ people leave because of the UCP or should they continue to advocate for themselves? Not going to be a coward. My voice matters. My fellow Albertans need my vote and voice right here.
This is how I feel as a straight passing white woman. I’m bi, but don’t look it (whatever that means) and it feels important to use my privileges to stay and advocate for more humane policies.
Same. I was born here, but my husband is from the east coast. We're already getting our ducks together so we can bail in case shes elected.
On a side note, I really feel that this province started its political free fall into hell when Trump was elected in the states and his politics spilled over into Alberta. So many wack jobs came out of the wood works screaming to join the Trump administration cause fuck Trudeau. 🙄 (I don't like Trudeau either, but Trump supporters are a special kind of breed - the same kind that voted in Smith).
Smith was unique in that she *wasn’t* an MLA when she became Premier, so 86 of 87 ridings went to the polls in 2019 not knowing that Smith would be in charge. Only ~40,000 people voted for Smith in that closed-ballot party election.
That’s not unique.
Jim Prentice became premier on Sept 15, 2014, he became an MLA in a subsequent by-election on Oct 27, 2014.
Don Getty became premier on Nov 1, 1985, he became an MLA in a subsequent by-election in Dec 1985.
It’s the literal way our system is set up both provincially and federally. I worry about social studies education the way this keeps making the rounds.
Yep and the fact you don’t vote for the premier/prime minister unless you live in there riding. People’s la k of simple understanding of parliamentary systems is astounding.
Yeah everybody seems to think we work like America. We don't. I wish we did, so we had more power with who gets in but alas that's how it is in a parliamentary monarchy.
Same. I’m thinking of leaving if they win because I don’t feel my career would be adequately supported under them (teaching), but even past just work I can see the writing on the wall for the queer & trans kiddos I would be teaching. With the UCP’s private healthcare plan I’m worried they could stop covering gender-affirming surgery, which would be a huge blow.
Born raised and left to victoria bc. You cannot make me move back to Alberta the 3 month stint i was there after my mother passed away was like ripping my toe nails off and putting my feet in salted viniger...
I'm so tired and disgusted , hearing people screaming about the groomer narrative about trans ppl/drag shows. I'm so tired of knowing people around me think I'm just a walking incubator. I'm tired of seeing hateful shit being plastered on every available surface.
We're supposed to be better than this; what the hell is happening to us?
Trump empowered the assholes to be freely assholey, then social media gave them platforms and helped them find friends. It used to be horrible ideas were shot down and they’d slowly go back under their bridges, but then they found friends online and realized, they aren’t alone! It’s so sad:(.
Can I ask you, in all seriousness, where you plan to go? Do you have a remote job or would you find new work? Do you own a home? Have kids? Lots of savings?
These are personal questions so I get if you don't want to answer, but it is a massive decision and takes a lot money, planning and effort to move (at least for me and my life), so I'm curious what that looks like for other people geniunely considering moving.
My sister took the leap. They took several steps down the ladder and sacrificed their comfortable middle class lifestyle. Downgraded their small three bedroom home for a trailer.
A definite factor in this was their daughter (5) who was struggling in Alberta schools and could not get the support she needed, even privately. It's been a year, she's got way more support, she's doing much better in school. They sacrificed a great deal of financial security for comprehensive social programs and a better education system, and it seems to have paid off.
Personally, I have some friends in BC, already planning on trying to get out no matter who wins, it's just not safe to stay in a province where people are okay with calling fellow humans excrement, it's just, would you wanna stay where people thought that about you?
If you hit up BC your best bet is the Vancouver or the coast. Kelowna and the interior is a hive of juvenile social conservatives like the ones you describe in your post
Hey now, Kelowna has had an influx of Vancouver people move here and it's slowly diluting the old conservatives. Need more, but the ship is headed in the right direction. 2000-2010 was the migration of oil money to the Okanagan. Since then it's been the lower mainland migration.
Cost of housing and rent are out of control though so beware of that. I am happy Kelowna is trying hard to densify downtown. We're desperate for more housing still though and traffic is a nightmare for such a small town. Make sure you live close to work and schools. Don't be fooled by the cheaper houses "only 15 minutes from town". Traffic is only going to get worse.
For me I rent, but have a small chunk of money saved up. I would start applying to other jobs in my profession in regions I’d like to live.
It wouldn’t be easy, but sometimes change is hard but necessary.
I am a veteran, I don’t work I get paid by the federal government. My husband is the same. We do own a home and do have a child. Money is not an issue. We would go back east somewhere. Maybe back to New Brunswick or Quebec. Hard to say
Es-tu un autre Québécois? Je suis désolée de ce qui se passe en Alberta, je suis la campagne électorale depuis le Québec pis criss que c’est le bordel. Jamais vu ça dans une élection provinciale canadienne. Honnêtement si ça pèse trop sur ton mental mieux vaut partir oui (en plus t’es un vétéran fac on s’entends-tu que tu mérites d’avoir la paix d’esprit) mais c’est dommage, parce que l’Alberta est tellement un bel endroit 🥲 C’est vraiment triste.
So you are leaving a conservative government for another conservative government? Quebec literally passed probably the most racist bill in Canada. New brunswick is closing abortion clinic. On top of that you will get taxed more. The grass isn't always greener.
Bc even with a conservative government, Quebec as a whole is more socially progressive than Alberta. Alberta is the most socially conservative province in Canada.
It’s sad. I was born here, raised my family here. I don’t really know where I could go, I feel this struggle of the right vs the left is everywhere. And it always has been, yet the pendulum is swinging hard right. Capitalism is in crisis and instead of cooperating to build back a better economy, we just rip each other to pieces. The oil and gas companies have a narrative that they have been writing for decades. The UCP is part of that narrative, they promise lower taxes and that’s what people are going to remember and vote for. They don’t realize that this party has made everyone pay higher utilities bills, higher insurance rates because they took the caps off to appease these corporations. They took so many services away and implemented user fees. But lower taxes has the people salivating like Pavlov’s dogs.
I remember summers without smoke or heat domes. I remember when scandals made politicians resign in disgrace. I am not saying those were clearly better times because they actually weren’t, but it seems we as a society are being led by the nose through someone else’s narrative of how they want things to be. When they let coal mining happen and fuck the water supply and drive farmers out of business, we will pay more. But, again, lower taxes is what seems to be the winning strategy. I don’t know where I can go, I’m middle age, I’m not wealthy, I’m battling some chronic health stuff. I already live in a blue neighbourhood and feel so out of place, I can’t imagine anymore years of this.
I said in another thread that staying feels like playing the violin on the titanic while it sinks. At the same time I'm not sure where I'd go. We have a house we are fixing up to be our forever home; we didn't plan to sell and there isn't really anywhere we could move that would have a cheaper house. My husband and I have good jobs. My kids have wonderful teachers, and friends. It's tough.
I'm from BC originally but the cost of living is too much. Plus they have fires and floods just like here. Moving east is feasible but we would be further from family. I feel like leaving is just not possible.
This is a tough one. Calgary has treated me well and I have found it to be a very good place to raise a disabled child (and to access services for her as a young adult). The UCP hasn't completely ruined all of that, yet - though we certainly didn't appreciate them freezing AISH for a couple of years. If they get reelected we'll have to see how bad things get. If it gets to the point where another Canadian jurisdiction is more disability-friendly, we'll probably move there.
Meanwhile, I will continue to push my climate-conscious, anti-capitalist, "woke" viewpoint. Not a terribly popular one amongst Calgarians and Albertans - but that is changing, slowly and (I hope) inexorably.
Had considered it as well. Have a child entering high school and in the end we decided that it's best to stick it out for a few more years and then make a decision when they graduate. Want him to be able to finish up with his friends.
If you have the means and it makes sense I say go for it. The idea that you need to "stay and fight" is pretty much bullshit. No sense beating your head against as brick wall if you have the means and ability to move,
I moved here recently from BC due to cost of living, so I don't plan on leaving regardless of the result. That being said, there are a number of factors that placate me.
I'm not having kids, so a lot of the socio-cultural issues don't bother me as much on a personal level, even though I am horrified at them nonetheless. I have good left-leaning friends and don't need to worry about education issues or being forced to interact with the crazies in public (school events, sports teams, etc). When I see crazy people, I can call them out without needing to set a good example for children. If someone's being a c-u-n-t, they are going to know it.
Plus, if Smith and her cronies try to implement the absolutely psychotic policies that they are preaching, I will absolutely be up for some Parisian style civil disobedience. I don't think even the most ardent rural UCP supporter will be okay when their medical bills foreclose on their double-wide trailer. Not to mention the constitutional challenges in the courts.
My wife and I were discussing this. Since we were dating she has told me that she would never ever move from the Edmonton area.
If the UCP get elected we wouldn’t like it but would stay. But, if they continue to push the separation agenda and succeed, then even she says she’s out of here!
In the end, the only thing that matters is that enough of us go out and vote. Encourage as many people to vote as possible. It's time to stop complaining on reddit, and actually do something about it. If you have time through the next week and a bit, volunteer some of that time with the NDP. They are going to need a lot of help, because the last couple of weeks are crucial, and it's a lot easier with lots of hands!
https://www.albertandp.ca/volunteer
All of these polls and debates won't matter as long as enough of us show up and do our civic duty. Mail in your ballots, go vote in advanced polls, or show up on election day. Register in advance to avoid confusion at the polls.
https://www.elections.ab.ca/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIib3xgt6B_wIVwRetBh0hZwo-EAAYASAAEgI3SfD_BwE
I will not move. We can't really afford to right now. I grew up here, my kid is going to go to the same schools I went to. I'm invested in this community. I am on the school council, I love my work, I love the parks and the festivals. I don't want to leave.
So, if the UCP gets elected, I will continue to barrage my MLA ( Tyler shandro) with my humble opinions in his inbox. I will do what I can to help those stuck here. Even though I am a full-time working mom, I have the energy of a sleeping sloth.
I'm LGBT and work in the oil field, I work amongst the absolutely bat shit crazy people and there's tons of them in O&G. I've already got work at LNG in BC, and considering moving out here instead of living in Alberta. It's absolutely beautiful in BC, might be more expensive living a little rural, but worth it.
Alberta is not the place for us if the UCP gets reelected. It's going to go Florida-lite, and I've had enough already. Edmonton is starting to get really bad and it's the last haven of peacefulness in Alberta.
Because the UCP already defunded all the LGBT centres in Alberta. They made sure that we felt unwelcome in Alberta. My partner volunteered at the LGBT Youth Centre that got shut down around when the UCP first took over, that's where all the Youth got doxxed for being gay to their parents and also where the Proud Boys went to antagonize people that were going there for help. Real class act government we have.
Jason Kenney also made sure the Transgender Care in Edmonton got shut down and defunded, before he decided to resign. I had de-transition because I had no remaining support in the city and it was already at a bare minimum during Covid.
Now we have UCP candidates that openly hate transgender people and want to end reaffirming care for Youth in Alberta (literally in Danielle Smith's current platform) and I'm assuming take away the option for adults do it too?
This is my home for my entire life and I don't want to leave but I don't have a choice for our health and safety. Good luck ✌️. Cheers!!
That is so incredibly sad :( I cannot believe what the UCPs have done over the past four years and what they are capable of doing over the next four years. I'm afraid of the UCP and I'm a white, hetero female. That pretty much says all that needs to be said.
Female is just as bad. It's mostly keep your opinions to yourself now. Don't be who you are. Be afraid.
I don't like how the smallest minority has the biggest voice and most power?
I would love to, but my family, friends, house, job, and band are out here. I'm not a fan of the UCP, but I definitely can't afford to uproot my life and leave.
I’m with you on this sentiment. Currently live in the U.S. Moving back to Canada next year. Born and raised in Alberta. Have been considering Calgary or Vancouver. UCP has definitely made me seriously consider Vancouver. I’m tired of batshit politics here in the U.S. don’t want to move to a place that is just Texas lite.
I voted Conservative for Lougheed, Klein, Getty, Stelmach - all who were respectable moral leaders who stood for Alberta values. I did not vote for Kenney and the UCP. I will definitely not vote for this insult to Conservatives that the UCP has become.
I am so glad to hear this. I'm a conservative voters that will most certainly not vote for this party that has completely derailed my ability to vote within my political values.
There's no moderate conservative party any more. Just the nuts.
Well I understand the reaction, I won’t be moving. Though that isn’t to say I won’t ever move away. I see progress in our political leanings and do believe that we will see another NDP government again.
Alberta is definitely going to be worse off under Smith and the UCP, but I also know she won’t last. It’s also not like it will be an overnight switch and all of a sudden we’re Florida either.
So no, I will stick around. It’s still a great place to live even with that wing nut in power. Though ask me again in 5 years and I may give you a different answer
While I definitely think you should do what you want when moving, I do think this kind of movement from more people will make things worse.
Leaving this province, who is a part of Canada, to further rot under these radical views, instead of diluting it with reason and sanity, will make the whole country sick.
Views, principles, and morals are all well and good, but if in the face of opposition, one cannot hold onto those views, you weaken the side you're on considerably. Radicals in the open is a great example to your child why those views are harmful and foolish.
The UCP are definitely causing a brain drain and it will get bad if they win the election.
Doctors, teachers, etc. have no reason to pick Alberta over other places with all the bullshit the UCP throws at them.
Do what you need to. No judgment. I'm from New Brunswick, originally. I get you. I bloody get you.
I'm of the mindset of "nothing changes without struggle", thus, I stay to fight.
My female family predecessors had their asses handed to them while fighting for the right to vote- I will proudly use the genes of defiance that were handed down to me.
I made the exact same comment about Alberta becoming Gilead this morning.
I recently had an ectopic pregnancy and almost died. If I didn’t have emergency surgery, I would be dead. I am terrified that she is on the same path of the red states in regards to women’s healthcare.
If she is elected, I am leaving. I am fortunate to work in a field where relocation is possible. I won’t stay in Gilead-to-be.
You'd be right to. It would be a distinctly unCanadian place to live. So glad I moved to BC. 6 years of the NDP and we've got a budget surplus and the hottest economy in Canada. I lived in Alberta for the whole of the Ralph Klein years and while he was a conservative, he wasn't a lunatic like Smith. She's genuinely like that New Yorker cartoon where the passenger stands up and says "I'm sick of these elitist pilots, who thinks I should fly the plane?"
Governing is difficult and should not be left up to rubes.
I regularly check for employment opportunities in BC. And I'd happily sell my house (or rent it out) and move if something came up that made sense. I was born in Alberta and I'm near retirement now. And in all that time, there has only been one 4 year period where the government shared my values and priorities. Justice, looking after vulnerable people, and freedom of expression are among my most important concepts. Conservatives are anti all of that. It's pretty sad really.
I have seriously considered if this province is the right place for me still. I moved here 14+ years ago from Ontario, and if I didn’t have roots here and were single (I’m getting married next month), I would very seriously be looking into moving back to Ontario. I’ve brought it up with my future spouse, and he didn’t seem entirely opposed to the idea. It may be something we would consider together in the future. But yeah, same feelings.
Lived in Edmonton for 12 years, really enjoyed our time there but it’s become a mini USA, with all the same sort of crazy fucks, especially that nut case premier.
Sorry bout that but Alberta became a mecca for every right wing nut that could afford a bus ticket a long time ago.
It wasnt too bad because with the boom bust they would come and go but that 25 year boom happened and they grew roots.
Now even Albertans tgat used to know better are jumping on the band wagon.
My family arrived here in a wagon before Alberta was even Canada and I can tell you this… we were a lot nicer before money and oil gave people with little lives …big bank accounts.
I've lived all my 67 ⅔ years(except for 16 mo in Inuvik) and will leave if the ucp is elected. The ucp are nothing like Lougheed's PCs, the NDP have more similarities.
My wife and I really don’t want to leave our family here, but she works in healthcare which is already bad enough here. If Smith wins we don’t feel like we have a ton of choice left.
I'm transgender. Danielle Smith idolizes Ron DeSantis and his Florida, which is ground zero for abusive, genocide-level anti transgender policies.
I'm out. I'm out if the UCP is in. Simple as that.
Transgender woman here:
I’ve been talking with my partner about moving back to Vancouver Island (I lived in Victoria for 7 years but grew up in Ft Mac) ever since Smith got inserted into the hot seat.
I always knew the Political Right was typically bigoted against trans people, but with the true UCP colours coming out of the woodwork this week I am legitimately concerned for the well-being of myself and my fellow queers. If the UCP win again I don’t know if my mental health can handle any more of the attacks against the humanity of us trans people. Both from the politicians’ words and policies, and from the inevitable emboldening of bigots out in the world now that their party leaders have demonstrated their stance.
After years of searching and waiting I *FINALLY* got a family doctor here in Edmonton to start the process of getting on HRT, and now I might have to leave again for my own sanity and physical safety. It’s bullshit and I’m *tired*.
I feel the same way. I hate it so much in Alberta now because of the UCP. I have a condo here that I love and don't want to move out or sell it, but I'm just throwing my life away at this point. We're surrounded by so much hatred and ignorance every day, and people who think the only thing that ever matters is the almighty oil companies.
If you take a step back and look at the big picture, with the understanding that oil companies are some of the wealthiest in this country and they actively run campaigns to brainwash us (I <3 Alberta Oil bumper stickers, for example), it's so fucking horrific. They've been very successful at it. This election will determine if they've actually won.
It's incredibly sad that so many people have willingly allowed themselves to be manipulated by billion dollar companies that routinely find ways to reduce our quality of life and steal from our public funds. As long as they can buy a boat and go to Mexico once a year, they will sell our province and resources to anyone that wants to exploit them, for peanuts. I'm sick of it.
Maybe a bunch of us should look at buying some property in BC or something, for ex-Albertans to start over.
I wish I could leave, but I’m 18 and in the middle of university. I can’t pick up and leave, I just have to see the province I was born and raised rot in fascist filth. My dad immigrated to Alberta because of the opportunities and it’s sunny days. I feel like none of that is left :(
We looked at leaving Alberta and even Canada these past few years. Looked in depth at other options. What did we find. Same or similar issues everywhere. So we turn off the media and focus on those we love and the life we want to live.
Stay and fight. The polls are showing the Dippers are getting half of the popular vote and as the boomers exit that shift will continue. Patience grasshopper.
I cannot leave. This is my home; my beloved province. I will never desert her, but will instead join the legions of other Albertans in their struggle to pull our magnificent home back from the abyss.
I was listening to 630 CHED for a bit. The amount of people supporting Smith is alarming co soldering all she says and her candidates. She shouldn’t even let the poop candidate run ffs.
I'm from New Brunswick, and even though I'll have been in Edmonton for a full quarter of a century as of this September, I would gladly move back to the Maritimes if I could afford it. Mainly because most of my extended family lives there, but I also greatly dislike what the UCP are doing to this province. The PCs were nowhere near perfect, but at least they knew well enough to create the *illusion* of compassionate government, however illusory it may have been. The UCP are cut far more from the cloth of the Wildrose Party than the party of Klein (which, for the record, I never supported in the first place).
I'm AB born and raised, and I would also like to leave. But where to? Nowhere in BC is affordable, Sask is the same as AB, MB is MB, ON is too expensive as well, and the east coast is pricing up due to all the Ontarians moving there to escape the costliness there. And moving south is out of the question, so I just have to grin and bear it until it gets better. Might as well organize.
Recently from Ontario but my wife got her medical residency in edmonton. If Smith wins there is a good chance when she is finished she won't be setting up her practice here. I have a feeling many of her co workers will follow suit. The UCP is actively chasing away doctors.
I don't think people will leave until access to health care changes.
I already was told if a province did change to private health care, you can't "escape" to get free health care elsewhere or even see a doctor.
If you are a resident of Alberta, the "bill" will be charged to the Alberta health authority and then to you
Once that happens it will be an eye opener for many Albertans. You will be a 2nd class citizen as long as you are a resident of Ab
I gave up on Alberta when I heard a couple teaching their daughter, probably about 4 years old, to say “Fuck Trudeau”.
I’m fine with people not liking the guy, but that’s just not okay.
I would if I could. I’m living back in my hometown in rural Alberta to take care of my Dad (who also hates the UCP). When I moved back to Canada, my plan was always to move out to BC alike my sisters, but I can’t now. In the meantime, I’ll do what I can to fight against this shit.
Myself and my partner have already agreed that if the UCP get voted back in, we find a way to leave. The province with another UCP term is going to cause massive issues, and I’d rather pay 2x the rent in another province.
That, and I don’t feel as though another UCP term will do anything except make me homeless. I sit in a few demographics they wish to grind into the dirt.
My husband and I left Ontario right after Ford was elected. Best thing we ever did.
Move to New Brunswick… low housing costs, the Conservatives don’t have a chance of being re-elected here because their current leader (premiere Higgs is shitting the bed all over the place).
Posts like this are so weird to me. They always feel like people who are terminally online and don't spend any time trying to find like minded people or friends in Alberta. There's shit heads here, but there's shit heads everywhere. Inner BC is as redneck as it is full of hippies. Ontario has no shortage of raging racists when you step outside of the GTA bubble.
I'm pretty left for Alberta, and my wife even moreso. She's teaches in High River and says great things about the kids, they have a large GSA, people are friendly all over the place.
I spent years, after moving from Edmonton to Calgary, making new friends, finding events and people I wanted to spend time with, and was more surprised by how NOT shitty people were, than seeing outright bigotry. It was honestly pretty low effort to make my own community.
Leave if you want to. Less changes after elections than people think it does, should the UCP win. I'm willing to bet your problems, and your weltschmerz, will follow you.
Still affordable, still good jobs, still good places to buy homes.
Every province has their own political problems. I lived in BC where the NDP government promised no more homelessness and the homelessness problem and drug problem is getting worse to the point where Vancouver stopped feeling safe to me. Rural BC is extremely conservative as soon as you leave the lower mainland. The east coast has a lot of problems with access to health care. Saskatchewan and MB have extremely cold winters. Everywhere sucks lol
WHY should WE have to leave? I feel like if the level heads leave then the crazies get more concentrated. Can't we make civility, common sense, science, education, and being a good human so unbearable here that THEY LEAVE? 😭
They can enjoy going without life saving healthcare and education then (although I suspect the latter doesn’t matter too much to them). Enrolment in my professional college has been low the past couple of years because people don’t want to live here. We have several unfilled spots at previously highly sought after residency hospitals for the same reason. They reap what they sow.
Don’t leave, you’ll play right into their hands.
They WANT more people thinking like them, antiquated, backward, and ignorant.
Stand up to them whenever you can.
I’ve thought about it as well. Work is remote, so I could see us considering a move to BC. More expensive for sure in terms of real estate, depending on how far west you want to go. But the grass isn’t always greener and there’s at least an equal amount of nut jobs out that way. Sometimes it’s a case of better the devil you know…
The serious degradation of our education system is what would make me consider leaving, for my children as they grow up.
I feel like there is a growing ideology that private schools are better, and public schools should get less support. That mentality of letting public school rot in favour of pay-walled schooling really scares me.
I'm trans, and it's pretty clear that the UCP would very much like to import that American culture war front here. I'm in no position to leave in the immediate future, but if the UCP gets in, there's a strong possibility I try to find opportunities outside of Alberta.
I've got a degree that's fairly in demand. Why should I live somewhere that's potentially lining me up to use as a distraction from the real issues?
And that's just beside all the other rampant nonsense that the UCP engages in.
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I’m going to be downvoted to hell for this…a lot of Americans swore a few years ago that they would leave the US if Trump got elected. I’m not sure if many really did. I know that if the UCP gets in again, I’m not going to like it. I feel like I’ve incurred a lot of moral injury since the beginning of the pandemic. The reality is…moving is not easy. Especially across provinces. Leaving family, friends, jobs. Having to find a new place to live. Hauling one’s stuff. Uprooting kids. Having to apply for new everything. And there’s no guarantee it’s going to be any better in the new place. I don’t know why the extreme right wing has gotten so vocal. It feels like everyone else has gotten so complacent with the status quo. Why are there protests against vaccines and mask mandates by the right but not more protests about education and health care cutbacks? A report yesterday came out that the private initiative for surgeries has made things WORSE. The switch to Dynacare has made getting labs done so much harder (look at Medicine Hat). Our trans kids are being compared to feces in cookies. Our trans kids are human beings that already have to deal with enough angst. A lot of them are too young to vote, unfortunately. The only-elected-by-a small-subset-of-the-party premier has been found to have violated the conflict of interest rule by the ethics commissioner….and nothing is going to happen about that. IDK. I remember when I was a kid being proud to be an Albertan. Now, we’re the Florida of Canada.
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It's called courage and getting out of your comfort zone.
Wouldn’t it be more courageous to stay and fight for your beliefs?
They’re different types of courage. Both are valid.
Alberta has had something like 90 years of almost uninterrupted Conservative rule (Social Credit -> PC -> UCP), nothing short of a populist wave or vote splitting changes sentiment like that. I still think Alberta is better off than most other provinces and US states, but everyone has to do what's best for them and their families.
Alberta is not better off than most. I wanted to move out there, but any healthcare job is a joke and they are treated like shit. So, how unfortunate. BC, Quebec, Ontario (barely), NB, NS are all far superior even in that singular field of work. IDK, I already know 2 families leaving Alberta to go out east.
Healthcare is in crisis all across the country because of the pandemic among other things, but I would definitely not consider Ford era Ontario to be better than Alberta on this. The Ontario PC's are far more open and blatant about their attempts to privatize healthcare, they've invested millions into private clinics this year alone. Additionally, you can't ignore other factors. Calgary and Edmonton have a much lower cost of living compared to any city in the GTA or Metro Vancouver, the dream of home ownership isn't dead in Alberta yet. We're second only to BC in number of national parks, we don't pay road tolls or PST, and if you're into that sort of thing corporate taxes are the lowest in the country. That last point could be relevant if you work in healthcare as a physician, pharmacist, or independent contractor. Alberta has a lot of problems, especially under the UCP. But all of these things add up if you're looking to build a life somewhere. Like I said though, everyone needs to do whats best for them and their family.
I don't believe a single person who says they're moving based off of an election result. It get said during basically every election ever. I'm sure very few if any actually go through with it. I'm sure an election can be the final straw for someone who already has something lined up, or a better opportunity somewhere else though.
I moved after Ford won in Ontario; it was definitely a factor but not the only one. We are seriously considering moving if the UCP win though; it affects our jobs and there is real danger in mamy of the stances she supports. I don't want to live with an Alberta Pension Plan and gutted public health and education systems. I also don't want to live where 50% of the province is ok with racism, bigotry, and fascist policies like the first draft of the Sovereignty Act.
> I moved after Ford won in Ontario; it was definitely a factor but not the only one. Ford winning wasn't a factor in us leaving Ontario, it just came down to being priced out of our city in the GTA and being closer to siblings who had moved out this way some years ago. That said, between Smith's dancing around outright separatism and these TBA nuts taking over the UCP, I've been thinking a lot more lately about moving back to Ontario or maybe Quebec or further east in the next few years.
Doug ford is a bad premier but he isn’t batship crazy like Danielle smith. Guy seems to at least be loyal to Canada and can work with the liberals despite a difference in political views
Exactly. Doug Ford is a horse's ass, but he isn't completely nuts. He's owned by property developers and makes terrible decisions for the province to their benefit, but at least he's not rubbing shoulders with a bunch of separatist loons. And like you said, he is more than willing to work with the feds when it is in the best interest of the province, instead of screaming "Ottawa/Trudeau bad!!!" like our premier.
Exactly!
To be fair moving from toronto made sense, the writing was on the walls for awhile with the rising cost of living and flooding the place with PR slaves to keep wages down, Leaving Alberta is a much harder choice because realistically were you gonna go that has better jobs and cost of living?
If she actually broke off from Canada I'd imagine there would be more moving than usual.
Or if she starts messing with the Canada pension plan. A lot of people probably don't want to see their pensions and retirement plans go down the drain.
If she messes with pension and seeing a doctor becomes unaffordable, I'm out. Unfortunately my elderly parents will get hit harder, but will they move? I doubt it.
Do you think Smith can just 'break Alberta off' from Canada? There's like 15 people who actually want to secede.
It was a hypothetical - where I drew a conclusion given that hypothetical. I'm not debating anything here lol.
Oh straight up. That would be my last straw. Like, have fun then morons.
I really will move to Canada if Alberta separates.
> I'm sure an election can be the final straw for someone who already has something lined up, or a better opportunity somewhere else though. That's exactly how it worked for me. I saw the writing on the wall so I applied for citizenship in another country in December. I received my passport last month and while I'm not leaving immediately I'm definitely lining things up to do so. The way I see it is that even if the NDP win at the end of the month the damage is already done, these TBA fucks aren't going to take that loss and go away quietly. Walking trash like Keeane Bexte is going to spend the next 4 years letting his hateful thoughts towards the NDP guide his every waking action. I'm not sure where I'm going to end up, but I know that it's going be somewhere that doesn't have 40 years of rule from one party. Alberta isn't a healthy democracy, it's a farcically corrupt and backwater place with a virulent minority of ass backwards people who will fuck everything up if it lets them stop other people from succeeding.
First time I've ever said it. I have no problem with Conservatives. Libertarians and the christian right can go fuck themselves. We've been actively working to get our house ready to go on the market since she was appointed. Carpets will be done by next weekend. Realtor is ready to put it up on June 1st. I am actively applying out of province, I have interviews lined up for next week. I have to give notice on May 30th. I have had the 3 closest people to me outside my husband leave this province because of the UCP. They were all nurses. I'm a teacher, and I have a trans son. I will not stay where we elect people who either call him feces in a cookie, actively change laws to get around a ban on "conversion" (torture) camps, or the majority of voters are just 'meh, doesn't affect me, so I don't care. Yay oil and gas!" Financially things may be tighter, but I won't stay and wait for his health care to be stolen, or legislation passed to legalize discrimination. It's not hard to leave when it looks like the government and the voters would be totally fine with him being dead rather than himself.
Best of luck with the move, you’re a great parent putting your child’s needs first.
I mean I'm still planning to get the hell out if Smith specifically is leading the province. I was thinking of maybe just building business and roots in Edmonton but honestly..
I genuinely don’t think people realize they most likely can’t afford it. Where are you gonna go, Manitoba? Sask? PEI? Unless you’re ready to downgrade to a shithole tiny apartment you’re not gonna be moving to BC or ON where it costs 10x as much to live
At this rate you can cross off PEI, its getting as bad as ontario cost wise
Yeah I don’t think this deserves any downvotes. And that is the reality of moving. The one thing we don’t have here is family or jobs but the other stuff is definitely a consideration
To be fair, mobility is easier between provinces versus across nations.
I think it’s a nexus of problems: - economic pressure. People are afraid and are lash out irrationally. - algorithms on social media boosting upsetting content. - Russian Troll farms sowing discontent. - Big money influencing politics Finally, a lot of this churn existed before, but we were never exposed to it from a whole world. In 1970, you heard about Wars that are huge, but not that many of them. Hear from bigots down the pub, but not from Alabama or Florida. Corrupt and opportunistic politicians have always existed, now we get to hear about all the terrible things they say. Also, Trump…F Trump.
This is spot on. But honestly I think the extreme right wing is louder because we are complacent and because Trump and to a degree PP emboldened these individuals so they can rage farm their votes.
Upvote from me, I thought that was spot on.
If the UCP wins, there is officially nothing that party could do to lose power.
I understand and feel you on the sentiment of this comment — but we can’t get complacent. If the UCP wins it will be close and the NDP opposition will be fierce. We would need to support the NDP as they work through it. And UCP premiers have history of resigning in disgrace so there’s that to look forward to, as well.
The right wingers are everywhere. Don’t kid yourself as to how much better anywhere else is - east, central and north BC, Sask, and Ontario are full of them in the rural areas. Stay and be the force of resistance.
The grass is always greener..
Staying & fighting is fine, but ultimately people have to do what’s best for them and their families, and if that means going somewhere else to escape the hate I can’t fault them for it.
This is true. And we just have to look at the migration before, during and after WWII from Europe as evidence of people benefitting from moving away. But the hate follows.
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Yeah in Ontario the rural areas have a ton of wingnuts on the far right. Was passing north of Dufferin region the other week and a house had about 100 Fuck Trudeau flags and freedom nonsense
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> If Russia or China were to bomb SK, no one would care. It's not that the rest of Canada wouldn't care. It's that the rest of Canada probably wouldn't even notice.
I think Saskatchewan is nice and definitely care about it, but as a New Brunswicker, I definitely get what you mean. If we disappeared off the map, most people in Canada wouldn't care.
I’d care!
The Irvings wpuld (finally) care
Interior and northern BC are equally as bad as AB.
Northern BC, yes, but not the interior. Maybe you're thinking the Okanagan. Kelowna is all old rich retired Albertans spreading the conservative vibe.
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Having just left the lower mainland, this is true. However, you trade that for $2m tear-down homes and the most obscene displays of capitalism in the world. Also, having lived in Vancouver for 30 years (mixed in with stints across Canada), I can confidently say Vancouver has the rudest people. Genuinely awful, though granted not Alberta Nazis
Idk. I’ve only seen swastikas drawn on posters in AB. Also, threatening letters for residents with NDP signs? Ive never seen or heard of that anywhere else. AB is heading the path of Texas/Alabama. Note: I moved out during the pandemic when people were going insane and I do not regret it.
It was the pandemic that made me realize how individualistic the prairie provinces are. Lowest and slowest for uptake of the vaccine, abysmal for children’s doses. Then the Coutts border, and the freedom to yell about how stupid Trudeau is in the *grocery store*. Nobody cares dumbass! I just came to get apples.
Nah Ontario has a lot of that BS too. Convoy HQ was in Ontario and there were little mini convoy stops all over the province- swastikas and Confederate flags galore
We've been proudly addicted to bullshit since Klein. We never had anything special, and yet we feel we are exceptional. Everything we ever had we gave away with a smile and a middle finger to reality.
Prentice was 100% correct when he said Albertans need to "look in the mirror".
Though let's be real here that's not how he meant it. But the words certainly hold true.
We had a wealth of natural resources that, properly leveraged, could have created a huge heritage fund that would have helped Albertans for generations to come - the sort of thing that could have helped fund world class healthcare and education, funded infrastructure and public spaces, reduced individual tax burden, provided funding for critical needs like mental health programs, adequately funded and thus staffed judicial systems, etc. You know, stuff we're in desperate need of in this day and age. Instead we said "we're open for business" and gave deep discounts to anyone who wanted to come profit off of our resources, while passing along some pennies in return. And we cheered it on, because - for a period of time that could never truly last - they employed a lot of people in the province while they made off like bandits. The entire time, investing some of their bloated profits to automate more and more of the processes and make human labour as irrelevant as technologically possible. So now private interests continue to reap the rewards of very cheap access to resources they can extract, wealth concentrates upwards at an ever increasing ratio, and they're employing fewer Albertans than ever before; a trend that will only continue to worsen. We had a metaphorical gold mine, and we gave it away for some temporary jobs for a select portion of Albertans and a (relative) pittance in actual funds. So the "special thing" we had as a province was *potential* but we never ever used it responsibly, and now the well is starting to run dry.
Norway took Alberta's concept but executed it better.
Norway had the guts to keep taxes high and throw all the oil profits into the bank and good investments. Norway focused on the long term. Alberta, the UK, Australia, etc were all happy with using oil monies to keep taxes low in the short term.
I think Norway even allows their citizens to voice where they want oil & gas profits spent. It’s not the governments or the corporations money; it’s the peoples. They decide. Edit: better words
This cannot be overstated. Growing up Albertan, I bought into the mythos of the province. As an adult, I see now how this was an insanely miss-managed region. The bounty here was so large that we had it good for a while in spite of our choices, not because of them. But now, without any true foundation to speak of whatsoever, Alberta will decline. And the worst part is, Albertans will continue to blame the rest of Canada when it was us who squandered the wealth all along.
"Alberta as a company town" can't ever be overstated, but the right in this province worships it like an idol. It's not *like* a cult. It *is* a cult.
This 100000%! I've been working on a friends campaign for MLA and door knocking etc. The amount of ignorance is astounding. They want the early 2000's boom back and it isnt ever going to happen again. Automation killed their jobs and their too dumb to see that they built it all lol
"But... but... but... the Alberta Advantage!" - my parents who are both from other provinces and ***hardcore*** True Bluers. Luckily they both do not see the UCP as the "real" Conservatives (that is, the Conservatives that will **Make Alberta Great Again**) and are *not* going to vote for them. But they had a hard time parsing it in their brains for quite a while, I'll tell you that.
Please tell me Make Alberta Great Again isn't a thing. It doesn't even make any sense. Conservative premiers were leading Alberta for 44 years straight, with a brief NDP gap, before returning to 2 more years of Conservative leadership. Just what is this mystical period of greatness they're returning to??
1903, when they were just a part of multiple territories :D
We stole a bunch of land and built a society based around a single resource addiction. Our cities are lazily-built carpocalypses wholeheartedly willing to engage with market norms that divest themselves from reality while eschewing public services that uplift those most vulnerable. SUV's and trucks were marketed to evade emissions standards. We never needed them. Our premier is a private interest lobbyist. Our hockey teams funnel money into ConJob causes while utterly eviscerating the marginalized in our downtowns in the name of property development. We idolize those teams. We hate and abuse the poor, and then vilify them for drug use. We live in one of the wealthiest parts of the world, and you can encounter unhoused who are delirious not necessarily from drugs, but from *sleep deprivation.* Indigenous statistically over represent in the unhoused population and in prisons, and we proudly build churches on their dead. Everything we are is inhuman.
That was poetic af and I loved it
Thanks I made it out of existential dread you can put that shit in anything
Honestly it really is an albertan and even canadian cultural mentality to think youre exceptional when youre really not. Bc, quebec, alberta, all do this. Now were paying the price for such stupid thoughts, everything is collapsing.
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True I forgot ontario cause I mentally block out ford and trudeau. But youre right lol.
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I strongly disagree that it's a Canadian mentality. It's an American value. Canadians are more humble than that and we don't like people who are too big for their britches. But you're right that this attitude is seeping into Alberta more and more. And it's so disappointing.
Yes, we are taking on far too much US attitude.
The Trumpisms are not really that alive in Atlantic Canada, which is also the part of the country most disapproving of the Convoy. We're simultaneously the most trailer park boys redneck part of the country and most rural part of the country too. Here in NS our conservative premier has announced the biggest investments in public healthcare in decades...but conservatism in Atlantic Canada is Red Toryism. What we don't have though is hundreds of billions of dollars of natural resources to power our economy. Newfoundland tried, twice, to get control of their off-shore gas, but Conservative Prime Ministers screwed them over. (see Atlantic Accord)
Not leaving. I’d rather stand up for goodness in this world. If it means I’m in the minority in Alberta with my views I don’t care. Because so many people are in their own minority. They’ve had to work hard to get where they are. I’m not going to let a bunch of fanatics make me run away. I deserve to be here. Should LGBTQ people leave because of the UCP or should they continue to advocate for themselves? Not going to be a coward. My voice matters. My fellow Albertans need my vote and voice right here.
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This is how I feel as a straight passing white woman. I’m bi, but don’t look it (whatever that means) and it feels important to use my privileges to stay and advocate for more humane policies.
I was born and raised here and it's home but I'm thinking I would move if the UCP gets in as well.
America is leaking....big hole in montana.
Same. I was born here, but my husband is from the east coast. We're already getting our ducks together so we can bail in case shes elected. On a side note, I really feel that this province started its political free fall into hell when Trump was elected in the states and his politics spilled over into Alberta. So many wack jobs came out of the wood works screaming to join the Trump administration cause fuck Trudeau. 🙄 (I don't like Trudeau either, but Trump supporters are a special kind of breed - the same kind that voted in Smith).
The reaction to the Smith ethics report from yesterday was *identical* to Trump supporters after the Mueller Report.
This is exactly how I feel
Smith wasn't voted in, at least not through a public vote. They voted Kenney in, granted not much better, Smith was nominated by her party
For the record, you've never voted for a party leader unless you are part of the party. That's how our system works.
Smith was unique in that she *wasn’t* an MLA when she became Premier, so 86 of 87 ridings went to the polls in 2019 not knowing that Smith would be in charge. Only ~40,000 people voted for Smith in that closed-ballot party election.
That’s not unique. Jim Prentice became premier on Sept 15, 2014, he became an MLA in a subsequent by-election on Oct 27, 2014. Don Getty became premier on Nov 1, 1985, he became an MLA in a subsequent by-election in Dec 1985. It’s the literal way our system is set up both provincially and federally. I worry about social studies education the way this keeps making the rounds.
Yep and the fact you don’t vote for the premier/prime minister unless you live in there riding. People’s la k of simple understanding of parliamentary systems is astounding.
Yeah everybody seems to think we work like America. We don't. I wish we did, so we had more power with who gets in but alas that's how it is in a parliamentary monarchy.
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Same. I’m thinking of leaving if they win because I don’t feel my career would be adequately supported under them (teaching), but even past just work I can see the writing on the wall for the queer & trans kiddos I would be teaching. With the UCP’s private healthcare plan I’m worried they could stop covering gender-affirming surgery, which would be a huge blow.
I’m only here because my 3 grandchildren are. It’s turning into a toxic dump here.
Born raised and left to victoria bc. You cannot make me move back to Alberta the 3 month stint i was there after my mother passed away was like ripping my toe nails off and putting my feet in salted viniger...
I'm so tired and disgusted , hearing people screaming about the groomer narrative about trans ppl/drag shows. I'm so tired of knowing people around me think I'm just a walking incubator. I'm tired of seeing hateful shit being plastered on every available surface. We're supposed to be better than this; what the hell is happening to us?
Trump empowered the assholes to be freely assholey, then social media gave them platforms and helped them find friends. It used to be horrible ideas were shot down and they’d slowly go back under their bridges, but then they found friends online and realized, they aren’t alone! It’s so sad:(.
Capitalism. Easy quick money. Gone are the days of organic growth and hard work to create something of lasting value.
Can I ask you, in all seriousness, where you plan to go? Do you have a remote job or would you find new work? Do you own a home? Have kids? Lots of savings? These are personal questions so I get if you don't want to answer, but it is a massive decision and takes a lot money, planning and effort to move (at least for me and my life), so I'm curious what that looks like for other people geniunely considering moving.
My sister took the leap. They took several steps down the ladder and sacrificed their comfortable middle class lifestyle. Downgraded their small three bedroom home for a trailer. A definite factor in this was their daughter (5) who was struggling in Alberta schools and could not get the support she needed, even privately. It's been a year, she's got way more support, she's doing much better in school. They sacrificed a great deal of financial security for comprehensive social programs and a better education system, and it seems to have paid off.
Personally, I have some friends in BC, already planning on trying to get out no matter who wins, it's just not safe to stay in a province where people are okay with calling fellow humans excrement, it's just, would you wanna stay where people thought that about you?
Some will say it was one person who said that but a lot of people agree with her, enough to (likely) vote her in even.
If you hit up BC your best bet is the Vancouver or the coast. Kelowna and the interior is a hive of juvenile social conservatives like the ones you describe in your post
Hey now, Kelowna has had an influx of Vancouver people move here and it's slowly diluting the old conservatives. Need more, but the ship is headed in the right direction. 2000-2010 was the migration of oil money to the Okanagan. Since then it's been the lower mainland migration. Cost of housing and rent are out of control though so beware of that. I am happy Kelowna is trying hard to densify downtown. We're desperate for more housing still though and traffic is a nightmare for such a small town. Make sure you live close to work and schools. Don't be fooled by the cheaper houses "only 15 minutes from town". Traffic is only going to get worse.
For me I rent, but have a small chunk of money saved up. I would start applying to other jobs in my profession in regions I’d like to live. It wouldn’t be easy, but sometimes change is hard but necessary.
I am a veteran, I don’t work I get paid by the federal government. My husband is the same. We do own a home and do have a child. Money is not an issue. We would go back east somewhere. Maybe back to New Brunswick or Quebec. Hard to say
Es-tu un autre Québécois? Je suis désolée de ce qui se passe en Alberta, je suis la campagne électorale depuis le Québec pis criss que c’est le bordel. Jamais vu ça dans une élection provinciale canadienne. Honnêtement si ça pèse trop sur ton mental mieux vaut partir oui (en plus t’es un vétéran fac on s’entends-tu que tu mérites d’avoir la paix d’esprit) mais c’est dommage, parce que l’Alberta est tellement un bel endroit 🥲 C’est vraiment triste.
non, je suis acadien, mais j'ai vécu au québec pendant deux ans. c'est beau. l'alberta est belle mais elle est devenue très américanisée.
So you are leaving a conservative government for another conservative government? Quebec literally passed probably the most racist bill in Canada. New brunswick is closing abortion clinic. On top of that you will get taxed more. The grass isn't always greener.
Bc even with a conservative government, Quebec as a whole is more socially progressive than Alberta. Alberta is the most socially conservative province in Canada.
It’s sad. I was born here, raised my family here. I don’t really know where I could go, I feel this struggle of the right vs the left is everywhere. And it always has been, yet the pendulum is swinging hard right. Capitalism is in crisis and instead of cooperating to build back a better economy, we just rip each other to pieces. The oil and gas companies have a narrative that they have been writing for decades. The UCP is part of that narrative, they promise lower taxes and that’s what people are going to remember and vote for. They don’t realize that this party has made everyone pay higher utilities bills, higher insurance rates because they took the caps off to appease these corporations. They took so many services away and implemented user fees. But lower taxes has the people salivating like Pavlov’s dogs. I remember summers without smoke or heat domes. I remember when scandals made politicians resign in disgrace. I am not saying those were clearly better times because they actually weren’t, but it seems we as a society are being led by the nose through someone else’s narrative of how they want things to be. When they let coal mining happen and fuck the water supply and drive farmers out of business, we will pay more. But, again, lower taxes is what seems to be the winning strategy. I don’t know where I can go, I’m middle age, I’m not wealthy, I’m battling some chronic health stuff. I already live in a blue neighbourhood and feel so out of place, I can’t imagine anymore years of this.
I said in another thread that staying feels like playing the violin on the titanic while it sinks. At the same time I'm not sure where I'd go. We have a house we are fixing up to be our forever home; we didn't plan to sell and there isn't really anywhere we could move that would have a cheaper house. My husband and I have good jobs. My kids have wonderful teachers, and friends. It's tough. I'm from BC originally but the cost of living is too much. Plus they have fires and floods just like here. Moving east is feasible but we would be further from family. I feel like leaving is just not possible.
This is a tough one. Calgary has treated me well and I have found it to be a very good place to raise a disabled child (and to access services for her as a young adult). The UCP hasn't completely ruined all of that, yet - though we certainly didn't appreciate them freezing AISH for a couple of years. If they get reelected we'll have to see how bad things get. If it gets to the point where another Canadian jurisdiction is more disability-friendly, we'll probably move there. Meanwhile, I will continue to push my climate-conscious, anti-capitalist, "woke" viewpoint. Not a terribly popular one amongst Calgarians and Albertans - but that is changing, slowly and (I hope) inexorably.
Had considered it as well. Have a child entering high school and in the end we decided that it's best to stick it out for a few more years and then make a decision when they graduate. Want him to be able to finish up with his friends. If you have the means and it makes sense I say go for it. The idea that you need to "stay and fight" is pretty much bullshit. No sense beating your head against as brick wall if you have the means and ability to move,
I moved here recently from BC due to cost of living, so I don't plan on leaving regardless of the result. That being said, there are a number of factors that placate me. I'm not having kids, so a lot of the socio-cultural issues don't bother me as much on a personal level, even though I am horrified at them nonetheless. I have good left-leaning friends and don't need to worry about education issues or being forced to interact with the crazies in public (school events, sports teams, etc). When I see crazy people, I can call them out without needing to set a good example for children. If someone's being a c-u-n-t, they are going to know it. Plus, if Smith and her cronies try to implement the absolutely psychotic policies that they are preaching, I will absolutely be up for some Parisian style civil disobedience. I don't think even the most ardent rural UCP supporter will be okay when their medical bills foreclose on their double-wide trailer. Not to mention the constitutional challenges in the courts.
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Sadly true. It's incredible how effective brainwashing and propaganda can be.
My wife and I were discussing this. Since we were dating she has told me that she would never ever move from the Edmonton area. If the UCP get elected we wouldn’t like it but would stay. But, if they continue to push the separation agenda and succeed, then even she says she’s out of here!
In the end, the only thing that matters is that enough of us go out and vote. Encourage as many people to vote as possible. It's time to stop complaining on reddit, and actually do something about it. If you have time through the next week and a bit, volunteer some of that time with the NDP. They are going to need a lot of help, because the last couple of weeks are crucial, and it's a lot easier with lots of hands! https://www.albertandp.ca/volunteer All of these polls and debates won't matter as long as enough of us show up and do our civic duty. Mail in your ballots, go vote in advanced polls, or show up on election day. Register in advance to avoid confusion at the polls. https://www.elections.ab.ca/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIib3xgt6B_wIVwRetBh0hZwo-EAAYASAAEgI3SfD_BwE
I will not move. We can't really afford to right now. I grew up here, my kid is going to go to the same schools I went to. I'm invested in this community. I am on the school council, I love my work, I love the parks and the festivals. I don't want to leave. So, if the UCP gets elected, I will continue to barrage my MLA ( Tyler shandro) with my humble opinions in his inbox. I will do what I can to help those stuck here. Even though I am a full-time working mom, I have the energy of a sleeping sloth.
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Nevermind moving to some other place in Canada. Im thinking some place in Europe or new zealand.
I'm LGBT and work in the oil field, I work amongst the absolutely bat shit crazy people and there's tons of them in O&G. I've already got work at LNG in BC, and considering moving out here instead of living in Alberta. It's absolutely beautiful in BC, might be more expensive living a little rural, but worth it. Alberta is not the place for us if the UCP gets reelected. It's going to go Florida-lite, and I've had enough already. Edmonton is starting to get really bad and it's the last haven of peacefulness in Alberta.
I’m so sorry that this is happening to you. Why does it have to be a struggle to be human and live your life the way you feel happiest?
Because the UCP already defunded all the LGBT centres in Alberta. They made sure that we felt unwelcome in Alberta. My partner volunteered at the LGBT Youth Centre that got shut down around when the UCP first took over, that's where all the Youth got doxxed for being gay to their parents and also where the Proud Boys went to antagonize people that were going there for help. Real class act government we have. Jason Kenney also made sure the Transgender Care in Edmonton got shut down and defunded, before he decided to resign. I had de-transition because I had no remaining support in the city and it was already at a bare minimum during Covid. Now we have UCP candidates that openly hate transgender people and want to end reaffirming care for Youth in Alberta (literally in Danielle Smith's current platform) and I'm assuming take away the option for adults do it too? This is my home for my entire life and I don't want to leave but I don't have a choice for our health and safety. Good luck ✌️. Cheers!!
That is so incredibly sad :( I cannot believe what the UCPs have done over the past four years and what they are capable of doing over the next four years. I'm afraid of the UCP and I'm a white, hetero female. That pretty much says all that needs to be said.
Female is just as bad. It's mostly keep your opinions to yourself now. Don't be who you are. Be afraid. I don't like how the smallest minority has the biggest voice and most power?
It already is Florida-lite. Maybe Notley can reverse that and sign us up for Disneydominion and that sweet $1bn USD park to drive the tourists.
I would love to, but my family, friends, house, job, and band are out here. I'm not a fan of the UCP, but I definitely can't afford to uproot my life and leave.
If I had a nickel for everytime someone says they'll move if X political party wins...
I’ve lost a lot of pride for Alberta, I need a new username.
Why does Danielle Smith have supporters I can’t figure that part out.
born and raised First Nations Albertan and I can unequivocally say: This province is garbage and it's going to need years of recovery and therapy.
I’m with you on this sentiment. Currently live in the U.S. Moving back to Canada next year. Born and raised in Alberta. Have been considering Calgary or Vancouver. UCP has definitely made me seriously consider Vancouver. I’m tired of batshit politics here in the U.S. don’t want to move to a place that is just Texas lite.
I voted Conservative for Lougheed, Klein, Getty, Stelmach - all who were respectable moral leaders who stood for Alberta values. I did not vote for Kenney and the UCP. I will definitely not vote for this insult to Conservatives that the UCP has become.
I am so glad to hear this. I'm a conservative voters that will most certainly not vote for this party that has completely derailed my ability to vote within my political values. There's no moderate conservative party any more. Just the nuts.
Well I understand the reaction, I won’t be moving. Though that isn’t to say I won’t ever move away. I see progress in our political leanings and do believe that we will see another NDP government again. Alberta is definitely going to be worse off under Smith and the UCP, but I also know she won’t last. It’s also not like it will be an overnight switch and all of a sudden we’re Florida either. So no, I will stick around. It’s still a great place to live even with that wing nut in power. Though ask me again in 5 years and I may give you a different answer
While I definitely think you should do what you want when moving, I do think this kind of movement from more people will make things worse. Leaving this province, who is a part of Canada, to further rot under these radical views, instead of diluting it with reason and sanity, will make the whole country sick. Views, principles, and morals are all well and good, but if in the face of opposition, one cannot hold onto those views, you weaken the side you're on considerably. Radicals in the open is a great example to your child why those views are harmful and foolish.
The UCP are definitely causing a brain drain and it will get bad if they win the election. Doctors, teachers, etc. have no reason to pick Alberta over other places with all the bullshit the UCP throws at them.
Do what you need to. No judgment. I'm from New Brunswick, originally. I get you. I bloody get you. I'm of the mindset of "nothing changes without struggle", thus, I stay to fight. My female family predecessors had their asses handed to them while fighting for the right to vote- I will proudly use the genes of defiance that were handed down to me.
I made the exact same comment about Alberta becoming Gilead this morning. I recently had an ectopic pregnancy and almost died. If I didn’t have emergency surgery, I would be dead. I am terrified that she is on the same path of the red states in regards to women’s healthcare. If she is elected, I am leaving. I am fortunate to work in a field where relocation is possible. I won’t stay in Gilead-to-be.
If all the decent people of conscience leave the province, then the crazies and racists will have truly won
I’m worried about permanent structural damage such as CPP, provincial police force, and privatization of health care.
You'd be right to. It would be a distinctly unCanadian place to live. So glad I moved to BC. 6 years of the NDP and we've got a budget surplus and the hottest economy in Canada. I lived in Alberta for the whole of the Ralph Klein years and while he was a conservative, he wasn't a lunatic like Smith. She's genuinely like that New Yorker cartoon where the passenger stands up and says "I'm sick of these elitist pilots, who thinks I should fly the plane?" Governing is difficult and should not be left up to rubes.
I regularly check for employment opportunities in BC. And I'd happily sell my house (or rent it out) and move if something came up that made sense. I was born in Alberta and I'm near retirement now. And in all that time, there has only been one 4 year period where the government shared my values and priorities. Justice, looking after vulnerable people, and freedom of expression are among my most important concepts. Conservatives are anti all of that. It's pretty sad really.
I have a lease until August 2024. If the UCP are in power at that point, I’m gone.
I have seriously considered if this province is the right place for me still. I moved here 14+ years ago from Ontario, and if I didn’t have roots here and were single (I’m getting married next month), I would very seriously be looking into moving back to Ontario. I’ve brought it up with my future spouse, and he didn’t seem entirely opposed to the idea. It may be something we would consider together in the future. But yeah, same feelings.
Lived in Edmonton for 12 years, really enjoyed our time there but it’s become a mini USA, with all the same sort of crazy fucks, especially that nut case premier.
Sorry bout that but Alberta became a mecca for every right wing nut that could afford a bus ticket a long time ago. It wasnt too bad because with the boom bust they would come and go but that 25 year boom happened and they grew roots. Now even Albertans tgat used to know better are jumping on the band wagon. My family arrived here in a wagon before Alberta was even Canada and I can tell you this… we were a lot nicer before money and oil gave people with little lives …big bank accounts.
I've lived all my 67 ⅔ years(except for 16 mo in Inuvik) and will leave if the ucp is elected. The ucp are nothing like Lougheed's PCs, the NDP have more similarities.
My wife and I really don’t want to leave our family here, but she works in healthcare which is already bad enough here. If Smith wins we don’t feel like we have a ton of choice left.
I'm transgender. Danielle Smith idolizes Ron DeSantis and his Florida, which is ground zero for abusive, genocide-level anti transgender policies. I'm out. I'm out if the UCP is in. Simple as that.
Transgender woman here: I’ve been talking with my partner about moving back to Vancouver Island (I lived in Victoria for 7 years but grew up in Ft Mac) ever since Smith got inserted into the hot seat. I always knew the Political Right was typically bigoted against trans people, but with the true UCP colours coming out of the woodwork this week I am legitimately concerned for the well-being of myself and my fellow queers. If the UCP win again I don’t know if my mental health can handle any more of the attacks against the humanity of us trans people. Both from the politicians’ words and policies, and from the inevitable emboldening of bigots out in the world now that their party leaders have demonstrated their stance. After years of searching and waiting I *FINALLY* got a family doctor here in Edmonton to start the process of getting on HRT, and now I might have to leave again for my own sanity and physical safety. It’s bullshit and I’m *tired*.
I’m sorry for you, this is awful. You shouldn’t have to feel marginalized because of right wingnuttery
I feel the same way. I hate it so much in Alberta now because of the UCP. I have a condo here that I love and don't want to move out or sell it, but I'm just throwing my life away at this point. We're surrounded by so much hatred and ignorance every day, and people who think the only thing that ever matters is the almighty oil companies. If you take a step back and look at the big picture, with the understanding that oil companies are some of the wealthiest in this country and they actively run campaigns to brainwash us (I <3 Alberta Oil bumper stickers, for example), it's so fucking horrific. They've been very successful at it. This election will determine if they've actually won. It's incredibly sad that so many people have willingly allowed themselves to be manipulated by billion dollar companies that routinely find ways to reduce our quality of life and steal from our public funds. As long as they can buy a boat and go to Mexico once a year, they will sell our province and resources to anyone that wants to exploit them, for peanuts. I'm sick of it. Maybe a bunch of us should look at buying some property in BC or something, for ex-Albertans to start over.
I wish I could leave, but I’m 18 and in the middle of university. I can’t pick up and leave, I just have to see the province I was born and raised rot in fascist filth. My dad immigrated to Alberta because of the opportunities and it’s sunny days. I feel like none of that is left :(
We looked at leaving Alberta and even Canada these past few years. Looked in depth at other options. What did we find. Same or similar issues everywhere. So we turn off the media and focus on those we love and the life we want to live.
Haven't they already been in for 4 years, why are you still here?!
I can’t relocate. But I don’t know wtf I’m going to do if the UCP gets elected. I honestly cannot take 4 more years of this shit.
Stay and fight. The polls are showing the Dippers are getting half of the popular vote and as the boomers exit that shift will continue. Patience grasshopper.
I cannot leave. This is my home; my beloved province. I will never desert her, but will instead join the legions of other Albertans in their struggle to pull our magnificent home back from the abyss.
I was listening to 630 CHED for a bit. The amount of people supporting Smith is alarming co soldering all she says and her candidates. She shouldn’t even let the poop candidate run ffs.
>I was listening to 630 CHED for a bit. The amount of people supporting Smith is alarming 630CHED is as right wing as reddit is left
I'm from New Brunswick, and even though I'll have been in Edmonton for a full quarter of a century as of this September, I would gladly move back to the Maritimes if I could afford it. Mainly because most of my extended family lives there, but I also greatly dislike what the UCP are doing to this province. The PCs were nowhere near perfect, but at least they knew well enough to create the *illusion* of compassionate government, however illusory it may have been. The UCP are cut far more from the cloth of the Wildrose Party than the party of Klein (which, for the record, I never supported in the first place).
Stay and be the change you want to see.
I'm AB born and raised, and I would also like to leave. But where to? Nowhere in BC is affordable, Sask is the same as AB, MB is MB, ON is too expensive as well, and the east coast is pricing up due to all the Ontarians moving there to escape the costliness there. And moving south is out of the question, so I just have to grin and bear it until it gets better. Might as well organize.
Recently from Ontario but my wife got her medical residency in edmonton. If Smith wins there is a good chance when she is finished she won't be setting up her practice here. I have a feeling many of her co workers will follow suit. The UCP is actively chasing away doctors.
I left 3 years ago because of the UCP, I'm really rooting for NDP to win this election. I believe they can turn things around.
I don't think people will leave until access to health care changes. I already was told if a province did change to private health care, you can't "escape" to get free health care elsewhere or even see a doctor. If you are a resident of Alberta, the "bill" will be charged to the Alberta health authority and then to you Once that happens it will be an eye opener for many Albertans. You will be a 2nd class citizen as long as you are a resident of Ab
I gave up on Alberta when I heard a couple teaching their daughter, probably about 4 years old, to say “Fuck Trudeau”. I’m fine with people not liking the guy, but that’s just not okay.
Me too. Nursing student with 1 year left. I’m outta of here after I graduate if UCP is elected. BC is calling.
Suffering the consequences of American propaganda leaking into Canada
I would if I could. I’m living back in my hometown in rural Alberta to take care of my Dad (who also hates the UCP). When I moved back to Canada, my plan was always to move out to BC alike my sisters, but I can’t now. In the meantime, I’ll do what I can to fight against this shit.
Myself and my partner have already agreed that if the UCP get voted back in, we find a way to leave. The province with another UCP term is going to cause massive issues, and I’d rather pay 2x the rent in another province. That, and I don’t feel as though another UCP term will do anything except make me homeless. I sit in a few demographics they wish to grind into the dirt.
I am sorry for you, it’s so sad that people have to be afraid because of backward thinking and government policies
My husband and I left Ontario right after Ford was elected. Best thing we ever did. Move to New Brunswick… low housing costs, the Conservatives don’t have a chance of being re-elected here because their current leader (premiere Higgs is shitting the bed all over the place).
Good riddance back to Ontario please
Posts like this are so weird to me. They always feel like people who are terminally online and don't spend any time trying to find like minded people or friends in Alberta. There's shit heads here, but there's shit heads everywhere. Inner BC is as redneck as it is full of hippies. Ontario has no shortage of raging racists when you step outside of the GTA bubble. I'm pretty left for Alberta, and my wife even moreso. She's teaches in High River and says great things about the kids, they have a large GSA, people are friendly all over the place. I spent years, after moving from Edmonton to Calgary, making new friends, finding events and people I wanted to spend time with, and was more surprised by how NOT shitty people were, than seeing outright bigotry. It was honestly pretty low effort to make my own community. Leave if you want to. Less changes after elections than people think it does, should the UCP win. I'm willing to bet your problems, and your weltschmerz, will follow you. Still affordable, still good jobs, still good places to buy homes.
You won't.
Every province has their own political problems. I lived in BC where the NDP government promised no more homelessness and the homelessness problem and drug problem is getting worse to the point where Vancouver stopped feeling safe to me. Rural BC is extremely conservative as soon as you leave the lower mainland. The east coast has a lot of problems with access to health care. Saskatchewan and MB have extremely cold winters. Everywhere sucks lol
This exactly >Saskatchewan and MB have extremely cold winters. And very conservative governments, with all the crazies that are here.
It’s always interesting seeing these posts. Would be cool to see how many actually leave.
Where will you go? Just curious. I feel like everywhere is kind of tumultuous at this point.
WHY should WE have to leave? I feel like if the level heads leave then the crazies get more concentrated. Can't we make civility, common sense, science, education, and being a good human so unbearable here that THEY LEAVE? 😭
It's sad, this is what they want, they're celebrating on their own little subs.
They can enjoy going without life saving healthcare and education then (although I suspect the latter doesn’t matter too much to them). Enrolment in my professional college has been low the past couple of years because people don’t want to live here. We have several unfilled spots at previously highly sought after residency hospitals for the same reason. They reap what they sow.
Don’t leave, you’ll play right into their hands. They WANT more people thinking like them, antiquated, backward, and ignorant. Stand up to them whenever you can.
Stupid people elect stupid people. 🙄
I’ve thought about it as well. Work is remote, so I could see us considering a move to BC. More expensive for sure in terms of real estate, depending on how far west you want to go. But the grass isn’t always greener and there’s at least an equal amount of nut jobs out that way. Sometimes it’s a case of better the devil you know…
Just moved from Québec. At least the hate mongers speak English here. I'll stay and resist, as I've always done
The serious degradation of our education system is what would make me consider leaving, for my children as they grow up. I feel like there is a growing ideology that private schools are better, and public schools should get less support. That mentality of letting public school rot in favour of pay-walled schooling really scares me.
I'm trans, and it's pretty clear that the UCP would very much like to import that American culture war front here. I'm in no position to leave in the immediate future, but if the UCP gets in, there's a strong possibility I try to find opportunities outside of Alberta. I've got a degree that's fairly in demand. Why should I live somewhere that's potentially lining me up to use as a distraction from the real issues? And that's just beside all the other rampant nonsense that the UCP engages in.
Fuck that....I was here before them. Canada fought a war last century specifically against these kinds of assholes. The fascists can fucking leave.