The future of Alberta: A special interview with Brett Wilson
A wide-ranging conversation on independence, Western frustration and political leverage.
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Article by Rebel News staff
Tonight on The Ezra Levant Show, a wide-ranging conversation with Calgary businessman and longtime Alberta booster Brett Wilson about the province’s political future.
At the centre of the conversation is Alberta’s growing independence movement. Under provincial law, if 177,000 verified signatures are gathered through a citizen initiative petition, the government must trigger a referendum before the next election. Organizers believe they could far exceed that threshold. As Wilson notes, the legislation leaves little room for political manoeuvring ... if the signatures are validated, a vote must follow.
Premier Danielle Smith has declined to condemn separatist sentiment outright, acknowledging the deep frustration felt by many Albertans. Wilson praises her restraint, arguing that allowing democratic expression is healthier than attempting to silence it.
But the interview goes beyond the mechanics of a referendum. The pair examine whether independence is truly the end goal, or whether the movement serves as leverage against Ottawa.
Wilson points to longstanding grievances: equalization payments, regulatory barriers facing Alberta’s energy sector, stalled pipeline projects and political hostility. He notes how Alberta’s economic contributions are often met with condescension rather than gratitude.
The discussion also turns to Prime Minister Mark Carney and his global posture, which Wilson suggests may resonate in central Canada but fuels skepticism in the West. Whether Alberta ultimately seeks independence or uses the referendum as political leverage, one thing is clear: Western alienation is no longer a fringe issue ... and Ottawa ignores it at its peril.
COMMENTS
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Graeme Langford commented 2026-02-19 10:11:36 -0500Sorry Ezra, Brett missed several important reasons for Alberta alienation. For me these include:
the no more pipelines law, the tanker ban, the ev fetish, the mass graves hoax, the Cowichan ruling, supply management and Liberal politicians and sycophants such as Matt Generoux and Charles Adler. -
Cheryl Hirsche commented 2026-02-16 22:09:23 -0500By the way, Brett would NEVER be leader of Alberta, in any capacity. Sorry. Ezra, a leader will arise. That’s how it works.
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Silver Feet commented 2026-02-16 22:05:18 -0500I am not anti-evil but pro-good, please friend you are delusional if you think you can sit on the fence, it is obvious you are financially beholden to the current system. The same system that has destroyed the lives of so many people. So what should be the decision of Albertans? Vote for prosperity or side with the financial interests of some rich guy who couldn’t care less about the common man. Save Alberta, Save Saskatchewan (and by some miracle Save BC).
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Cheryl Hirsche commented 2026-02-16 22:04:25 -0500Brett joins a long line of SELF INTERESTED parties, including many Premiers in history that betrayed Alberta’s interests to line their own pockets politically, and in Brett’s case – financially. Brett and his ilk, want only what is good for him financially. The Independence movement wants freedom from this Post National State – from the ridiculous leftist ideology that has as its heart, the interests of the rich to get richer (more guys like Brett). Climate hoax, UNDRIP, SOHI and more. And by the bloody way – those ideologies affect real people in real Alberta. Normal people who are appalled to see their kids groomed in schools, who watched their small businesses and lives go down the drain with the WHO policies in the pandemic. The Ottawa clowns in the now – Post National State Canada – have absolutely NO interest in the values, ethics and lives of real people from the globalist aligned leaders of Canada. And in that mass of self interest lives Brett. Let’s add, rampant uncontrolled, unvetted immigration, our kids unable to get starter jobs because immigrants are flown in to take those jobs. Seniors on pensions that are ⅓ of the benefits given to new immigrants. A civil service of incompetents hiring politician’s pals as consultants. Unaccountable spending that is undoubtably fraudulent. But yes, Brett says collaborate as a western block because he has business interests that would benefit. Brett, you smug asshole. It is NOT just ‘paperwork’ that drives the Independence movement.
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Colin Dyler commented 2026-02-16 21:28:24 -0500Brett’s a nice enough guy and all but come on… Canadian provinces can’t even negotiate barrier free trade and regulations. Collaboration is a pipe dream.
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Paul Scofield commented 2026-02-16 21:02:36 -0500Mr. Atchison nails it.
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Bruce Atchison commented 2026-02-16 20:54:27 -0500It won’t work. Alberta and Saskatchewan do have a lot in common but BC has Victoria blocking all good ideas. Manitoba is too leftist. Moreover, central Canada and the Maratimes are stuck in 1867. We’re just colonies out west. No, we must go. We’ll never get a fair deal in that ball-and-chain system the east has set up.
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Paul Scofield commented 2026-02-16 20:45:31 -0500Mr. Wilson may be a decent guy, but I think he misses the boat. Repeated statements about “I’m not anti separation, but pro collaboration” tend to make one wonder if he has been paying attention to where an Alberta give and take collaboration has led the last ten years or so: “Alberta gives, everyone else takes.” I also get the feeling that he has much more to gain, business-wise, if Alberta stays than he lets on to. He seems no friend to the idea of Alberta independence, protestations to the contrary. If one could be so bold, I would label him and his kind a AINO (Albertan in Name Only).
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Jesse Michael commented 2026-02-16 20:05:14 -0500Thanks Ezra, love your work! I watch on Youtube mainly so it gets the word out and views on YT but will always renew my membership here my friend!
