Bloc leader throws jab at Alberta separatists, says 'oil and gas' aren't a culture

Blanchet's comments sparked fierce backlash from Albertans who see themselves as having a distinct culture revolving around freedom and liberty.

Livestream Clips
  |   May 08, 2025   |   News Analysis   |   5 Comments

On Thursday's live stream, Sheila Gunn Reid and Lise Merle reacted to Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet's assertion that Alberta's separatist movement lacks its own 'culture.'

Speaking to reporters on Parliament Hill on Wednesday, Blanchet criticized the growing separatist sentiment in Alberta. The Bloc leader took a shot at the province's oil and gas sector, insinuating he doesn't believe that qualifies as a 'culture.'

"The first idea is to define oneself as a nation, therefore it requires a culture of their own. And I am not certain that oil and gas qualify to define culture," he said.

Sheila condemned Blanchet's remarks for failing to appreciate Alberta's unique history, culture, and needs. "He can't even agree with the fact that we should have our own self-determination like he does without taking a sideways swipe at us," she said.

"As our motto says, Alberta is strong and free. That's our provincial motto and it's really who we are, it's why we exist here," Sheila continued. "We do not have a culture that is just 'oil and gas.'" 

Separation sentiment in Alberta has been heating up follow Mark Carney's victory in the federal election on April 28.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has also opened the door to potential independence by lowering the the petition threshold required for citizen-led referendums, including on separation.

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  • Jerrold Lundgard
    commented 2025-05-09 09:44:58 -0400
    If Alberta was currently an independent country – and Canada came knocking and offered Alberta the deal that is currently in place – Do you think Alberta – or any other province would take it?
    Imagine if Canada said, Look, I know you are your own country right now, here is what we would like to do. We want to give you almost no say or influence in the Direction Canada will give you, We are going to put a cap on your resource revenue production and emissions, We are going to take $30 Billion dollars a year from your economy and give it to Quebec and Ontario. While that happens Quebec is not going to buy your petroleum products , and Quebec will block petroleum products from passing through Quebec to be sold in the international market, while Quebec imports petroleum from the middle east and Venezuela. The Federal Government will put barriers to exporting Alberta crude oil in tankers from Canada’s Pacific ports and limit Alberta oil to be sold to the USA at discount prices – And we are going to tax the ever loving S**t out of you.
    How would your province respond?
    Alberts is like the battered spouse who sends another check to Ottawa…
  • Jerrold Lundgard
    commented 2025-05-09 09:41:50 -0400
    The Oil Patch in Alberta has enabled the building of recreational facilities, cultural events centers, sporting facilities, citizen support groups and has sponsored thousands of cultural events in Alberta in every month of the year, there are Oilman’s golf tournaments, bonspiels, baseball teams and tournaments, Community concerts, community events, and the venues where these events are held would not happen without the Oil patch culture.
    In many small towns oil patch revenue is core enabling the arts, cultural entertainment, history, and celebrations that would not happen without the Oil patch dollars. Skate parks, to curling rinks, to walking tracks , to hockey rinks, to public community centers, to local theatre groups, to schools and educational projects, to all of the events that happen in Alberta are part of the OIL AND GAS CULTURE IN ALBERTA.
    When there is a need in a community, the Oil Patch culture steps up with support of time, money, people, and equipment.
    It is obvious that Mr Blanchet does not understand that the oil industry enables cultural enrichment in Alberta.
    There are very few public cultural events in Alberta that do not have a foundation of OIL PATCH support and volunteers.

    Pound sand Mr Blanchet, Take your transfer payments from Alberta and use them to diminish Alberta Culture and the industry that enables Quebec to pay for a culture. Enough is enough
  • Bernhard Jatzeck
    commented 2025-05-08 22:14:11 -0400
    If oil and gas aren’t a culture, then neither is the Quebec dairy cartel.
  • Bruce Atchison
    commented 2025-05-08 19:38:12 -0400
    What a Bloc head! It shows Blanchet knows nothing of Alberta. He should come out and see our province for himself. Let him see what we Albertans are really like.
  • Crude Sausage
    commented 2025-05-08 18:01:03 -0400
    And just like that, any respect I had for Yves-François Blanchet evaporates.