Separation Party of Alberta
Declaration of Principles and Policies
November, 2003

Principles

The primary goal of our party is to facilitate a peaceful and orderly separation of Alberta from the Canadian Confederation and form an independent nation with our own constitution based on a true democracy where the will of the people shall prevail.

The policies which we advocate are in keeping with the aspirations of Albertans whose vision of the future is positive and constructive and built on true democratic principles where the power of government is always in the hands of the people.

We offer Albertans a clear and unobstructed view of the direction in which our elected representatives shall proceed with mandated provisions for full accountability.

We will provide Albertans, whose heritage is unique and diverse, with clear policies founded upon conservative and social values which we cherish. Our objectives are to provide Albertans with:

(a) less government (the government that governs best is the government that governs the least);
(b) a true justice system, not a legal system that isn’t just;
(c) elected Justices of our new District and Supreme courts;
(d) fully accountable elected representatives and bureaucrats through a workable, realistic and effective system of RECALL, CITIZEN INITIATIVE AND REFERENDA;
(e) referenda of the people to decide and settle controversial issues and disputes;
(f) a Triple E Senate (elected, equal and effective);
(g) reform of our voting system to provide proportional representation;
(h) free votes in the Legislature;
(i) preservation of all of our natural resources for the benefit of Albertans;
(j) guarantee equality of all citizens before the law; and
(k) economic and fiscal precedence in all matters to ensure that Albertans prosper through diversity having regard to the challenges of the future.

Our new national Constitution will embrace fundamental individual rights with balanced responsibilities; the freedom to own and enjoy private property; where laws will be made by the Legislature and not the judiciary; where our elected and appointed representatives owe their first duty to their electors and the people they serve and not their political parties.

Albertans are compassionate and care for those in less fortunate circumstances. We will ensure that citizen's reasonable needs are looked after, but we also believe in the tenet that “You cannot do more for a man than he can do for himself” [ Abe Lincoln, 1865 ]. We believe that the traditional family is the cornerstone and substantive foundation upon which a healthy society is built and our policies will reflect these features.

Our Declaration of Principles and Policies reflect the unique partnership that the Alberta government has with its municipalities. Municipalities will be given a share of our resource revenue to preserve and enhance the workability and effectiveness of their infrastructures, educational and other institutions by way of interest-free loans which will ease the burden of taxation on their residents.

Our vision is clear: the will of our citizens will prevail having regard to our resource wealth, preservation of our environment for present and future generations with supremacy of the Legislature over the judiciary.

Democratic Policies

Our elected representatives and bureaucrats must understand their roles as trustees for the benefit of the people they represent and serve. They must understand that their power to act on behalf of the people must be tempered with sound and fiscally responsible programs. Our government is based on the following democratic policies:

1. This legislation will be all-encompassing under the heading RECALL, CITIZEN INITIATIVE AND REFERENDA.

(a) We believe that all elected representatives and bureaucrats must be fully accountable to their electorate through mandated, workable and effective provisions entitling the electorate to RECALL them;
(b) The Separation Party of Alberta will implement legislation allowing Albertans to INITIATE legislation, or repeal existing legislation, by petition at all levels of government; and
(c) The Separation Party of Alberta will implement legislation that empowers Albertans to decide by REFERENDUM, initiated by the government or the electorate, on all controversial issues and disputes affecting Albertans as a whole, to be decided at the time of a General Election or a special referendum as required.

2. The Separation Party of Alberta will initiate fixed election dates for all elections and term limits for all elected representatives and justices.

3. The Separation Party of Alberta will implement legislation, after public consultation, on voting reform providing for a system of proportional representation which more accurately reflects the voting patterns of all eligible voters.

4. We believe that we should not and will not, interfere and intermeddle in the internal and domestic affairs of other provinces and nations.

5. We will ardently pursue compatible trading relationships with all nations.

6. We will entrench the principle of the equality of all our citizens, that each is equal before the law and that their personal rights and responsibilities will be protected against unwarranted intrusion by government.

7. The Separation Party of Alberta will call for a REFERENDUM to separate Alberta from Canadian Confederation and form a new, independent nation pursuant to the CLARITY ACT OF CANADA within the first term of office. The question of secession would be clear and a clear majority on the question would consist of 50% plus one of the votes cast by eligible Albertans.

8. All votes in the Legislature will be free votes. MLAs will vote firstly in accordance with the wishes of their constituents and secondly in accordance with the dictates of their conscience. The defeat of a government bill will not mean a vote of non-confidence in the government but simply a defeat of that particular piece of legislation.

9. We believe that less government is the best government and that the number of MLAs will be reduced and that government departments and boards be reduced accordingly.

10. The Separation Party of Alberta believes that the essence of good, responsible government is the cooperation it has with its municipalities. We believe that the residents of municipalities are better able to determine what is best for them. We will ensure that municipalities retain the fruits of their taxation policies with the least amount of interference from the Legislature. We will increase the powers of municipalities pursuant to the MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT ACT to promote a greater delegation of municipal decision-making to local communities.

11. The right of individual Albertans to own and enjoy their property will be entrenched in a new Constitution.

12. The Constitution for our new nation will respect individual rights and responsibilities but gives no special rights to any individual or group. This document will be submitted to Albertans for comments and criticisms before it is enacted.

13. A Separation Party of Alberta government would introduce “whistle blower” legislation to protect government employees and people in other public institutions from prosecution for speaking out.

Economic and Fiscal Policies

The Separation Party of Alberta is committed to a small and effective government which is fiscally and financially fully accountable and whose powers are limited to the functions that are essential to a modern nation state. The following policies will govern the future economic and fiscal growth of our nation:

1. We will create an economic climate in which businesses can thrive and grow, and with their success create quality job opportunities for all Albertans free from the burdensome bureaucratic red tape which entangles them at present. This will be done by broad-based tax reform, lower personal and business taxes, maintaining mandated balanced budgets and “Zero Based” budgeting in all government departments; thereby ensuring a stable monetary policy and the elimination of wasteful spending and unnecessary regulations.

2. To enhance the status of municipalities we are committed to provide them with interest-free loans:

(a) to develop and maintain their infrastructure requirements; and
(b) to develop and own their own utility services, such as natural gas and power, as long as their residents approve of such developments by referendum.

3. The Separation Party of Alberta would institute a program whereby all revenues received from education taxes and health care premiums be set aside in separate operating funds to be used expressly for such purposes and, when necessary, to be supplemented from the general revenue or resource revenue to ensure the proper funding and operation of these departments.

4. We would institute a program to set aside the sum of $1 billion in a sustainable emergency disaster relief fund to meet unexpected disasters, the program to be funded by interest earned from the Heritage Savings and Trust Fund and natural resource revenue.

5. We support the elimination of the hotel tax and believe that the private sector is better able to promote their tourist industry.

6. We support the elimination of the tire tax and believe that the private sector is better able to promote their recycling industry.

7. We support the elimination of all mandatory marketing boards and commissions and will allow producers to form voluntary marketing and export associations in a free and unfettered market economy.

8. We will continue to support the operation of the Alberta Treasury Branches and will promote their original purpose of providing competitive financial services for Alberta’s families, farmers and small businesses.

9. We will continue to support and enhance any initiatives and endeavors to ensure a clean environment for Albertans. Severe penalties will be levied against anyone polluting our environment. Industries will be encouraged to implement technologies which will ensure a clean environment as a result of their manufacturing.

10. The Separation Party of Alberta supports all initiatives to eliminate indirect taxes and tariffs on farm inputs and freight rate discrimination.

11. Upon forming the government of Alberta the Separation Party of Alberta will initiate legislation to re-establish the areas of jurisdiction to which our province was entitled under the British North America Act, 1867, including, but not limited to, the establishment of a provincial police force and armed services corps, an Alberta pension plan, collection of all personal and corporate taxes, healthcare, education and immigration.

12. The Separation Party of Alberta opposes the unknown ramifications of the implementation of the Kyoto Accord upon Albertans, but we will impose strict laws and regulations on all effluent producing industries and ensure that the costs of air, land and water treatment or purification are borne by the polluters.

13. The Separation Party of Alberta will institute a merit system within government departments rewarding individuals for service levels, initiative and efficiency and encourage all public sector departments to follow our lead.

14. We would re-evalutate all government grants and subsidies.

15. We support any program and initiative that enhances:

(a) cooperation between business, labour and government to ensure that Albertans compete effectively in the global marketplace;
(b) health and safety in the marketplace;
(c) and gives workers and employers greater flexibility in Employment Standards and allows individual workers to voluntarily determine their membership in labour organizations;
(d) and makes the Workers Compensation Board more responsive to workers and employers needs.

16. A Separation Party of Alberta government would impose financial penalties on Cabinet Ministers who exceed their department’s budget.

17. We will re-evaluate and eliminate the wasteful duplication of government authorities and services.

18. We will research the economic viability and ask Albertans that they seriously consider two forms of alternate taxation to be phased in:

(a) a corporate and personal flat-rate tax of 10% on income from all sources - NO EXEMPTIONS AND NO DEDUCTIONS; or
(b) a Consumption Tax (an end-user tax) of 5% - NO EXEMPTIONS AND NO DEDUCTIONS.

In keeping with the reform of our taxation system, any increase in taxes would have to be decided by referendum.

19. Albertans are entitled to receive their utilities at reasonable cost based on an Alberta-made formula. Our efforts will be directed towards goals that ensure Albertans derive direct and lasting benefits from their natural resources and the revenues derived therefrom.

20. A Separation Party of Alberta government will promote research into the viability of developing the iron ore deposits near Hines Creek, Alberta.

21. The Separation Party of Alberta will work with the private sector in such endeavours in order to establish primary manufacturing facilities in Alberta. It is our intention to develop a tax system that will promote the growth of primary industry in Alberta.

Social Policies

1. The Separation Party of Alberta believes in the concept of school choice, whether public or private, and that parents are better able to make the proper choices for their children. Those adults and parents who know the child best, care the most, and are most affected by the success or failure of their decision, should select the school that their child will attend and we will promote any initiative in this direction.

2. A Separation Party of Alberta government will institute student based funding which means that educational funds will follow the student to any accredited public education, private education facility or home based schooling of parental choice in Alberta.

3. We will set high standards for education including student literacy and teacher quality, measured achievements, school grading system and student performance to enforce the overall goal to improve student learning from early childhood to adult education. We will focus on improved teacher training and initiate measures to reward high performance educators.  We will implement steps to reduce absenteeism and truancy. We will implement Alberta Citizenship courses for grades K-12 to strengthen and support family values, democratic principles and duties of citizenship.

4. A Separation Party of Alberta government will provide interest-free loans to Alberta students attending post-secondary education institutions, colleges and technical schools to assist with the cost of their tuition and books. Every student will be required to enter into an agreement with the government which will provide that so long as they remain in school, complete their education and work in Alberta for a minimum of five years following graduation, the amount expended for their education will be forgiven. But, if for any reason, the student quits school or does not work in Alberta, he or she will be required to repay to the Alberta government the actual amount expended by the government through loans for their education.

5. The Separation Party of Alberta supports the traditional family as the cornerstone of our society and we commit ourselves to protect and enhance this treasured institution. Parental authority and responsibility will be recognized and protected. We will ensure that people fleeing violent situations are provided with sufficient support, including increased stays in transition houses to re-establish themselves and not face a future of poverty.

6. A Separation Party of Alberta government will negotiate fairly and openly with all First Nations and Metis in Alberta for their right to self-government, ownership of resources on native lands (subject to royalty payments) and the right of every individual aboriginal person to own their land within the reservation. We will establish a First Nations and Metis Committees to deal with all matters pertaining to the foregoing including the settlement of all native land claims, all of which is subject to approval by the Legislature. As these matters are settled there will be no further need for the government to make any further payments to First Nations and Metis in our province.

7. A Separation Party of Alberta government will adhere to the four basic principles of health care:

(a) Comprehensiveness
(b) Universality
(c) Portability
(d) Accessibility

We will explore the possibility of private health care to supplement the delivery of public health care in Alberta.

8. A Separation Party of Alberta government will:

(a) allow for democratically elected local hospital boards and the professional management of health care dollars;
(b) allow all hospitals and other health care facilities to compete for patient care;
(c) re-evalute all grants and subsidies to all hospitals and health care facilities in Alberta;
(d) provide a mechanism by which any public funds for health care services rendered will follow the patient;
(e) develop a decentralized model for health care service delivery, assuring local accountability and community participation;
(f) provide Albertans with a choice for alternative medical care treatments and alternate delivery of designated health care procedures ; (ie: Dental Hygiene, Homeopathic, Acupuncture, etc...)
(g) expand funding for home care, supported housing, assisted living, long term care facilities and palliative care hospices to provide better, less costly and more patient-friendly alternatives to hospital care;
(h) encourage health care practitioners to emphasize wellness, self-reliance and conservation through preventive approaches to the practice of medicine;
(i) promote the elimination of pollutants from the environment as a positive instrument of health care;
(j) expand training and post-secondary programs to graduate more Care Aides, Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses;
(k) explore the possibility of expanding the guidelines to increase the utilization of the health care expertise of Registered Nurses;
(l) establish health standards that ensure all citizens in every part of Alberta are entitled to equitable, reliable and high quality health services;
(m) develop performance measures that are audited annually and publicly reported for each health care standard, to ensure that the entire health system is accountable for fulfilling their duties to provide the prescribed levels of patient care;
(n) give all Albertans better access to their medical records and treatment histories, enhanced information with respect to their privacy rights and bi-annual statements for health care services rendered;
(o) develop a 10 year human resource plan that properly provides for the training, recruitment and retention of physicians, surgeons, nurses, specialists and other health care providers in every area of the province, and that addresses critical skills shortages and staffing levels in every area of Alberta;
(p) develop a Medical Machinery and Equipment Plan that ensures existing medical diagnostic and care equipment is adequately staffed, fully utilized and properly maintained, and that provides for future investments in new equipment and technologies;
(q) mandate that Alberta Health covers ambulance charges;
(r) provide health care funding to cover services and products by licensed naturopathic physicians and restore full funding to chiropractors and physiotherapists;
(t) reduce waiting times.

9. A Separation Party of Alberta government will:

(a) allocate publicly owned land for affordable housing where appropriate; and
(b) implement a flexible, innovative program to increase the supply of affordable housing.

10. A Separation Party of Alberta government will establish and administer its own immigration program and support an immigration policy based on acceptable applicants who will embrace our way of life and accept our standards of behavior and abide by our laws.

11. A Separation Party of Alberta government will

a) establish an Alberta police force with one central administration incorporating all existing municipal police forces to be operated more cost effectively than the present system, and we will ensure that all police officers are properly trained (with a high set of standards) and armed to protect their communities; and
b) establish a security force to protect Albertans from Armed insurrection, invasion by any foreign power and any imminent danger to Alberta's interest.

12. Upon a positive referendum for separation, a Separation Party of Alberta government will enact its own criminal law system which will have severe penalties for infractions.

13. A Separation Party of Alberta government will hold a binding referendum on the reinstatement of capital punishment.

14. When elected to office, the Separation Party of Alberta will immediately challenge all federally sponsored firearms control legislation as being unconstitutional. Firearms are property and fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the provincial government under the Canadian Constitution. When elected, we will initiate legislation guaranteeing Alberta residents the Right to Bear Arms and protect this legislation from federal interference by invoking the "notwithstanding" clause of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

15. Private property rights will be protected and we will prevent government from expropriating any property without fair and equitable compensation.

16. A Separation Party of Alberta government will:

(a) reduce court fees to ensure that everyone has affordable access to our justice system;
(b) fight child prostitution and youth crime with legislation aimed at providing greater protection to children at risk of exploitation and greater parental responsibility for children who commit crimes;
(c) vigorously defend Alberta's ownership of provincial land and resources;
(d) institute measures whereby criminals will be made to compensate victims of crimes;
(e) ensure that criminals serve their full sentences as laid down by the law;
(f) establish an independent investigatory agency for the purpose of reviewing complaints against the police and private security companies;
(g) institute a program whereby all offenders could be sentenced to “boot camps” featuring physical labour and education. It is time to put the onus on the offender and not the victim;
(h) ensure that more police are on the streets;
(i) develop Alberta's own sexual offender registry with links to other governments;
(j) ensure that our police have the tools to pursue internet-related crimes; and
(k) deny criminals the right to vote while they are incarcerated.

17. The Separation Party of Alberta supports the principle of all citizens being first and foremost Albertans with our combined ethnic and religious backgrounds forming a unique and distinct culture that we know as Alberta. The concept of individual ethnic and religious group maintenance rests solely on those who wish to support their heritage and not on the government.

18. A Separation Party of Alberta government will:

(a) ensure that Albertans will be given priority over out of province and foreign students for admission to and funding for post secondary institutions;
(b) work constructively with employers, post secondary institutes and technical schools to increase training and apprenticeships in the trade and technical sectors; and
(c) increase research and development funding for colleges, universities and other institutes and encourage private sector partnerships.

19. The Separation Party of Alberta supports the principle of social responsibility within the framework of an unfettered free enterprise system. We support compassionate service, volunteerism and individual responsibility.

20. Insofar as social assistance is concerned, we support:

(a) helping individuals and families at such times and cases when they are incapable of helping themselves. However, the primary role of the welfare system should be to assist the individual in realizing their full potential and re-establishing their self esteem through active self-management and work experience; and
(b) the concept of requiring employable persons receiving social assistance to upgrade their skills for the purpose of obtaining meaningful employment.