Jason Kenney says it's 'bananas' to drag Alberta through 'deeply divisive' sovereignty referendum

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Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney has strongly condemned the growing talk around an Alberta sovereignty referendum, calling it "bananas" and warning that it would "shred the social fabric" of the province. In a recent interview, Kenney emphasized that a small, angry minority should not be allowed to push a separatist agenda that threatens to divide families, communities, and businesses across Alberta.

Kenney’s blunt remarks come at a time when Alberta’s political landscape is heating up, with Premier Danielle Smith’s government lowering the signature threshold needed to hold a referendum on Alberta’s separation from Canada. While the move is seen by some as a way to address longstanding grievances, Kenney argues that it is a dangerous path forward.

“Bananas” to Let a Minority Divide Alberta

Kenney’s argument is rooted in the belief that the sovereignty debate is being driven by a vocal but extremely small segment of Alberta’s population. He explained that allowing this minority to steer public discourse and government policy could have catastrophic consequences for everyday life. “It’s bananas if we allow a tiny, perennially angry minority to drag the whole province through a deeply divisive debate,” Kenney said during his interview in Calgary.

He went on to warn that such a referendum would create division among friends, families, and professional partnerships. “If this gets to a ballot, there will be marriages that will break up over it. There will be businesses where partnerships break up. There will be churches and community organizations that break up over this. That’s how explosive this is.”

Kenney’s fear is that rather than uniting Albertans around common interests, the referendum would pit citizens against each other, amplifying grievances rather than resolving them.

Historical Context: Separatism Has Never Taken Root

Jason Kenney, who served as Alberta’s premier from 2019 to 2022, pointed out that separatism in Alberta is nothing new — but it has never gained traction. He referenced the Western Canada Concept party, which only won one seat in a 1982 byelection and never again found electoral success. “Over 50 years, they’ve failed to win. They couldn’t get elected dogcatcher in this province because they don’t actually have real support,” Kenney said.

He added that these separatists tend to be aligned with far-right ideologies and foreign sympathizers, cheering for divisive figures like Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, further isolating themselves from mainstream public opinion.

The UCP’s Two-Track Policy

While Kenney remains a staunch opponent of Alberta’s independence, he recognizes the frustrations felt by many Albertans regarding federal policies, such as carbon taxes and resource restrictions. The current United Conservative Party government under Premier Danielle Smith is pursuing what it calls a "two-track policy."

1. Stay in Confederation: Smith emphasizes negotiations with Ottawa to address Alberta’s concerns within the existing framework of Canadian governance.

2. Prepare for Referendum: At the same time, the government has lowered the signature threshold for triggering a referendum, requiring just 177,000 signatures in a province of five million residents.

Smith’s approach seeks to pressure the federal government while offering a symbolic gesture to Albertans feeling left behind. However, critics argue that this two-pronged strategy risks normalizing separatist sentiment and further destabilizing regional politics.

Kenney’s Call for Focused Action

Instead of fostering division, Kenney believes Albertans should channel their energy toward advocating for fair treatment within Canada. “We should focus our time, energy and effort on fighting for a stronger Alberta within Canada,” he said.

He rejects the idea that separation is a viable solution and argues that it distracts from the real challenges — including economic diversification, resource development, and infrastructure investment.

Kenney has also made it clear that he would be willing to step up if a referendum ballot makes it onto the table, though he has no intention of returning to active politics at this time.

“Couldn’t Get Elected Dogcatcher”

Kenney’s criticisms extend beyond the lack of public support for separatism. He also takes issue with the portrayal of him as a federalist who undermines Alberta’s interests. “It’s ironic that I’m being cast as a federal lackey since it was my government that launched legal challenges to the federal carbon tax, Bill C-69 — what I called the ‘no more pipelines’ law — and the federal plastics ban,” he said.

He believes that federal policies have exacerbated Alberta’s grievances but insists that pushing for separation is a dangerous and destructive response.

Separatism and Global Extremes

Kenney’s remarks also highlight the global dimension of the separatist rhetoric. He believes that many separatists in Alberta support authoritarian foreign leaders and polarizing figures, further fueling a toxic discourse that threatens community cohesion. “If you just follow them on social media, they’re all attacking Ukraine and cheering on [Russian leader Vladimir Putin], cheering on [U.S. President Donald Trump], when he was attacking Canada with tariffs and threats of making us the 51st state,” he said.

Kenney’s implication is that separatism is not rooted in principled debate but rather in reactionary politics, driven by anger and misinformation.

The Stakes for Families and Communities

Kenney’s warnings about the referendum’s social impact are not empty rhetoric. He insists that political debates are never abstract — they affect relationships, workplaces, and local communities.

A referendum question like "Do you want to remain part of Alberta?" or similar framing could escalate into a polarizing campaign, dividing people along political, economic, and cultural lines.

By warning of the referendum’s potential fallout, Kenney hopes to rally Albertans behind constructive action rather than reactionary politics.

Is There a Path Forward?

The question now is whether Alberta’s political leaders can address frustrations without fueling division. Premier Smith’s collaboration with the federal government signals an attempt to resolve underlying issues while avoiding outright separatism.

However, with social media campaigns amplifying extreme views and frustration at federal policies running high, the risk of the sovereignty debate escalating remains real.

Kenney’s approach — focusing on unity and practical governance — offers one pathway. Whether the province follows that route or continues down a road toward polarization depends on the choices made by politicians and citizens alike.

Conclusion

Jason Kenney’s outspoken opposition to Alberta’s sovereignty referendum reflects deep concerns about the social and political costs of divisive campaigns. By framing separatism as driven by a small, angry minority, Kenney urges Albertans to reject reactionary politics and instead advocate for a stronger role within Canada.

As Alberta grapples with regional grievances and identity debates, Kenney’s warnings serve as a call to prioritize community cohesion, political pragmatism, and constructive action over symbolism and divisiveness.