Press Release Alberta Separatists Move Forward
November 7, 2003 - The Separation Party of Alberta (SPA) Association, a fledgling political movement, held its Founding Convention in Red Deer on the October 31, 2003 weekend.
Donna Ferolie, newly elected President of the Association said she was extremely pleased with the results of the Convention. "We reworked our Policies and Principles and our Constitution and there were no physical injuries," joked Ferolie. "It got a bit heated on some issues, particularly in areas of delegates' personal concerns. These issues were addressed and in the end no one got hurt. It is often tough to take a hard stand on certain issues in Canadian politics. Someone has to and we did."
A Provincial Board of Directors was elected and the Association is focusing on the petition drive to become a registered political party in the Province of Alberta . "Registration of this political party is our next step and we are asking all concerned Albertans to help us complete our petition drive to become registered," stated Al Romanchuk , Chief Financial Officer of the Association and former Mayor of the City of Grande Prairie . "It doesn't really matter where you fit on the political spectrum. It is essential that we stop the financial bleeding to Ottawa and central Canada and the only way to accomplish that is to separate from Canadian Confederation!"
SPA believes that excess revenues from oil and gas, a non-renewable resource, must be used to diversify the Alberta economy for future Albertans. "If we continue to send these tens of billions of dollars to Ottawa with no return on investment we will become a have-not province," stated Jon Koch, Vice-President and former Alberta Independence Party organizer and Independent candidate in the last Provincial Election. "The provincial Tories are guilty of grossly mismanaging Alberta 's future."
In what some would describe a startling move, the executive appointed Bruce Hutton as Interim Leader of SPA. "I have no love for politics or politicians," stated Hutton matter of factly. "I don't believe politicians have the courage to tell the truth and most people aren't interested in hearing the truth. The majority of the public are only interested in hearing what is in their own personal best interest."
"This is the second time in my life I got a position because no one else wanted it," Hutton laughed. "The first time was in the Spring of 1983 when I was named Coach of the Hobbema Hawks in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. And we ended up the hottest team in the league for the last two months of the season."
Whether or not Hutton can make SPA "the hottest team" in Alberta politics remains to be seen. Albertans can rest assured that until a new leader is proclaimed, the controversial Hutton will keep SPA's agenda and position on issues in clear view with no waffling and probably no apologies.
Someone that has an opinion and is willing to share it and stand behind it, - how novel. And God forbid they would care about Albertans first.
Separation Alberta
Box 31074
Edmonton , AB T5Z 3P3
separationalberta.com
- 30 -
