At competing Stampede breakfasts, 2 very different visions for Alberta emerge

At competing Stampede breakfasts, 2 very different visions for Alberta emerge

Pro-independence group zeroes in on urbanites as Carney meets voters at Stampede

It may have been the final day of the 10-day Calgary Stampede exhibition and rodeo, but two pancake breakfasts held simultaneously Sunday morning made clear the battle for the hearts and minds of Albertans is just ramping up.

At Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dancehall, one of Calgary’s most well-known western bars, the pro-independence group Let Alberta Decide hosted a pancake breakfast, drawing hundreds. One man wore a shirt that read “Alberta First. Ottawa Last,” before grabbing a plate of eggs, sausages, pancakes and fruit.

Polling has shown that Albertans' support for separatism is trailing well behind those who back staying in Canada, but independence sentiment is strongest outside of Calgary and Edmonton. Having a footprint at the Stampede, organizers said, is part of an intentional effort to broaden what has been a reliable base of support.

“There have been a lot of really staunch supporters that have been very invested in seeking Alberta sovereignty for either decades or generations. We have those people on board,” said southern Alberta farmer Tanya Clemens, one of the co-leaders of Let Alberta Decide.

“Now, the goal is to reach the rest of Albertans that aren’t sure or even are in opposition to independence right now.”

The event saw a number of online separatist influencers attend. Some guests paid for a “VIP experience” with a price tag of $1,000, receiving reserved VIP seating, a commemorative keepsake and mimosa service.

Leslie Zapfe, a former oil and gas professional who said she's lived in Calgary for decades, said she reached a "breaking point” when it came to consecutive Liberal federal election wins.

Living in a Calgary neighborhood heavily dominated by Forever Canadian lawn signs, Zapfe said she was relieved to find others who shared her point of view in her city.

“I’m looking forward to speaking with like-minded people, because obviously my neighbours aren’t,” she said.

This year’s Stampede was marked by politics and pipelines — both Alberta’s proposed pipeline to the southwest coast of B.C., along with a proposed route for the Northern Shield pipeline project.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, returning to Canada after holding talks in Saudi Arabia last week, met with Treaty 6, Treaty 7 and Treaty 8 First Nation leaders before watching chuckwagon races at the Stampede grounds Saturday, wearing a white cowboy hat, blue western shirt and blue jeans.

Prior to the show, he arrived outside GMC Stadium, into a beer garden area where many appeared shocked to see him.

“He’s an Alberta boy. Nice to see him at the Stampede,” said attendee and Calgary resident Justin Rizzuto.

“The things he's doing, it makes sense for the country,” said Rick Youck, another attendee.

After being asked about the pipeline by another man, Carney said he was optimistic it would get done.

"I'm feeling pretty good about it," he said.

Not everyone was thrilled to see the prime minister.

“He stole all the Conservative ideas,” one man told CBC News, who declined to give his name.

Others shouted at Carney from the crowd.

“We don’t like Liberals here,” shouted one man.

“I can’t wait to vote for Alberta independence!” yelled another.

On Sunday, Carney attended a Stampede breakfast at the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association.

At the event, Calgary Liberal MP Corey Hogan told CBC News that it was important for Carney to attend, given the looming referendum on Oct. 19.

“You can't deny that separation is a cloud over all of the conversations, right? People are talking about, ‘What does it mean in the context of,’ and that's really unfortunate because the world is a dangerous place right now,” Hogan said.

“We are seeing changing … trade relationships. We're seeing wars. We're seeing the effects of climate change. And we need Canada to be there with our ‘A’ game. And we can't do that if we're fighting with each other, if we're divided with each other.”

Calgary Chamber of Commerce CEO Deborah Yedlin, who also attended Sunday’s breakfast, said the business community is feeling as though there has been “light years” of progress compared to this time last year.

“Now, everybody wants to see results,” Yedlin said. “But still, we weren’t even at the starting gate at Stampede last year. So this is definitely an important place to be right now.”

The Calgary Stampede wraps up Sunday.

Joel is a reporter/editor with CBC Calgary. In fall 2021, he spent time with CBC's bureau in Lethbridge. He was previously the editor of the Airdrie City View and Rocky View Weekly newspapers. He hails from Swift Current, Sask. Reach him by email at joel.dryden@cbc.ca

With files from Raffy Boudjikanian, Jennifer Keiller and The Canadian Press