Mr. Speaker, Canada is a family. Families share, support and succeed with each other. Families also have conflict and fight. Families often fail because one member of the family does not feel heard. Too many Albertans are frustrated, not with the country of Canada but with the federal government, an important distinction.
As a person who lives under too much government control via the Indian Act, I empathize with this. One hundred and fifty years ago, before Alberta became a province, Treaty 6 promised Canadians and first peoples a timeless agreement to respectfully walk alongside each other, to share land and resources, and to thrive together. Canada's own Constitution is based on the principle that power should reside closest to the people.
Governments should respect individuals, communities and provinces' autonomy. It is time to remember and lead with first principles, when our ancestors locked arms to sign a treaty to make a Constitution and create a country. On October 19, it is time for all first peoples and Albertans to vote for a stronger Alberta and a united Canada.