Premier Ralph Klein yesterday quashed the hopes of some prominent conservatives who want him to cut ties with Ottawa to protect Alberta from federal power grabs.
"Retreating behind our provincial boundaries is not, I believe, a response that would be supported by the vast majority of Albertans," Mr. Klein wrote in a letter.
Last month, six Alberta academics and political activists with mostly Alliance ties called upon Mr. Klein to build "firewalls" around Alberta. Their suggestions came as concerns have been raised about western alienation.
In his letter, Mr. Klein flatly rejected the idea. "The sense of defeatism that underlines the notion of building a 'firewall' around this province is unnecessary," he wrote.
Led by Stephen Harper, president of the National Citizens' Coalition, the group also called on Mr. Klein to create a separate provincial police force, withdraw from the Canada Pension Plan and adopt sole responsibility for health care.
Jill Mahoney