What does the recent federal election results in Alberta and Saskatchewan tell us about Canadian unity? With Dr. Duane Bratt

Many Canadians may be seeing red, but nearly as many are seeing blue. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Mark Carney will form a new minority government in Canada after his Liberal Party secured the most seats in parliament in the recent federal election, completing a remarkable political turnaround amid a growing confrontation with President Trump and the United States. Although opposition leader Pierre Poilievre lost his own seat, the Conservatives grew their proportion of the popular vote substantially and made inroads in Ontario with 44 per cent of the vote there. In Saskatchewan and Alberta, only a few Liberals were elected and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has already amplified her hostility towards Ottawa. The speaker will evaluate the election results and speculate on whether or not Mark Carney can keep the minority independence movement in the West from gathering steam. Speaker: Dr. Duane Bratt Duane Bratt is a political science Professor in the Department of Economics, Justice, and Policy Studies at Mount Royal University (Calgary, Alberta). He teaches in the area of international relations and Canadian public policy. His research interests include Canadian nuclear policy, Canadian foreign policy, and Alberta politics. Recent publications include: co-editor of Blue Storm: The Rise and Fall of Jason Kenney (University of Calgary Press, 2023), co-editor, Orange Chinook: Politics in the New Alberta (University of Calgary Press, 2019), co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas 3rd edition (Oxford University Press, 2015) and author of Canada, the Provinces, and the Global Nuclear Revival (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2012). Current projects include a book on the politics of covid in Alberta. Duane is also a regular commentator on political events.