By Brett McKay, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Investigative Journalism Foundation Separatism has gone from an idea on the margins of the conservative movement to one at the centre of Alberta\u2019s government. Over the last decade, a cadre of libertarian think tanks has been instrumental in bringing Alberta separatism into the mainstream, promoting the idea through research, conferences, social media and the press. They\u2019ve helped craft government policy to prepare Alberta for independence, and to make the threat of secession a powerful \u201cor else\u201d in the province\u2019s stand-off with Ottawa. Connecting this web of institutes and academics are their ties to the U.S.-based Atlas Network, and the revolving door relationship between members of the network and the administration of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Atlas Network is a U.S. non-profit that acts… <\/p>\n
By Brett McKay, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Investigative Journalism Foundation Separatism has gone from an idea on the margins of the conservative movement to one at the centre of Alberta\u2019s government. Over the last decade, a cadre of libertarian think tanks has been instrumental in bringing Alberta separatism into the mainstream, promoting the idea through research, conferences, social media and the press. They\u2019ve helped craft government policy to prepare Alberta for independence, and to make the threat of secession a powerful \u201cor else\u201d in the province\u2019s stand-off with Ottawa. Connecting this web of institutes and academics are their ties to the U.S.-based Atlas Network, and the revolving door relationship between members of the network and the administration of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Atlas Network is a U.S. non-profit that acts... <\/p>\n