Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast: Rebel News Podcast
Host: Ezra Levant
Episode: 10 small observations about the Alberta independence movement
Date: February 10, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of The Ezra Levant Show centers around the Alberta independence movement, with Ezra Levant sharing his personal "10 small observations" about the rising sentiment for Alberta's potential separation from Canada. Drawing from his dual perspective as an Alberta-born expat now based in Toronto, Levant explores the historical, emotional, and political context of the movement, highlighting its deep roots and current motivations. The second half of the episode features an interview with Gage Haubrich, Prairies Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, about government transparency regarding the federal gun buyback program.

1. Ezra Levant’s 10 Observations on Alberta Independence

[00:00-25:45]

Background & Personal Connection

• Levant introduces himself as an Alberta expat living in Toronto (~15 years), but says his "heart's still in Alberta.”
• He details Alberta’s unique history with Canada, noting it “was born unequal,” denied resource rights that eastern provinces had.
• Blames historic and ongoing federal encroachment, citing Pierre and Justin Trudeau’s energy policies and the carbon tax as wounds to Alberta’s autonomy.

Key Observations

1. Pro-Independence Albertans Are Not Anti-Canadian
[03:40]

• Levant asserts:

  “Most Albertans who want independence are not anti Canada at all... It's not a loathing for Canada, it's a lament for what Canada has become and what it never could become.”

• He suggests pro-independence sentiment is rooted in patriotism and disappointment, not hatred.

2. Independence Movement is More Sorrow than Rage
[04:40]

• Compares the sentiment to “a divorce with the least rancor possible," emphasizing it's a cold, reasoned decision.

3. Anti-Separatists Are Highly Emotional
[05:25]

• Levant contrasts pro-independence “cold, thoughtful” resolve with anti-separatists' "raging... full of loathing, they're full of insults."
• Quotes anti-separatists calling Albertan separatists “treasonous”—something, he notes, was “never used for Quebec separatists.”
  Memorable Quote:

  "The entire range of opinion [on CBC’s At Issue panel] from A to B, the entire range of geography from Toronto to Montreal." [05:15]

4. Anti-Separatist Arguments Reflect Elite Projections
[09:20]

• Levant accuses central Canadian elites of resenting Alberta’s resource wealth, likening anti-separatist arguments to “tying down” a giant as in Gulliver’s Travels:

  “Alberta is this giant that needs to be tied down with thousands of little strings... social license, carbon taxes...” [09:45]

5. Not a ‘Bargaining Chip’ Like Quebec
[11:10]

• Claims that unlike Quebec, Alberta’s drive isn’t an “or else” tactic.
• Argues there’s no “separatist industry” in Alberta like in Quebec.

6. Reaction to Repeated Mistreatment
[13:03]

• Cites a cyclical history:

  “It’s like that great movie by Bill Murray called Groundhog Day.”

• Suggests repeated disappointments (from Harper to Poliev to Manning) have convinced Albertans structural change is impossible within Canada.

7. NDP and Urban Left ‘Threats’ to Leave Are Emptied
[15:00]

• Mocks NDP claims to leave if Alberta separates, likening it to U.S. celebrities who threatened to leave if Trump won.
• Suggests, instead, there would be an “inflow of good people” from elsewhere in Canada to an independent Alberta.

8. Mark Carney & Federal Elites Fuel Independence
[18:00]

• Blames recent federal leadership for “a carnival of insanity”—from carbon capture requirements to “poking America in the eye.”
• Quotes Preston Manning:

  “Mark Carney could be the last Prime Minister of united Canada.” [19:48]

9. For Ordinary Albertans, Life Would Barely Change
[21:00]

• Believes daily life would see little change except “lower taxes and they would be divorced from the insanity that’s going on in Ottawa.”
• Argues basic services are already provincial, and passports, pensions, etc. would remain unaffected at least initially.

10. The Transition is Manageable
[23:25]

• References Quebec’s separatist groundwork and the smooth separation of countries like Czechoslovakia and the USSR.
• Frames independence as “something that’s been done before—not easy, but doable.”

Notable Quote:
“If Alberta were to be independent, it would not be a disaster. And once it’s possible, I think a lot of other things would be possible immediately too...” [24:45]

2. Interview: Canadian Taxpayers Federation on Gun Buyback Costs

[25:45–32:27]

Government Secrecy on Gun Buyback Program

Gage Haubrich, Canadian Taxpayers Federation, joins

• The federal government refuses to disclose details and costs on its Cape Breton gun buyback pilot.
• Initial government public estimates in 2020: $200 million; latest expert estimates: $6+ billion.

Gage Haubrich:
“Now we’ve seen other experts, six years on, say more than $6 billion. And when you’re spending that kind of money, taxpayers deserve to know what it’s being spent on.” [26:46]

• The pilot only collected 25 firearms, far fewer than projected.

Law Enforcement Skepticism

• Many police unions and police forces (Toronto, RCMP, etc.) publicly oppose the buyback, arguing it won’t impact crime.
• Law only allows law-abiding licensed gun owners to participate, not criminals.

Ezra Levant:
“If you have to have a gun license to turn a gun in... you can't have a criminal do it." [30:12] Gage Haubrich:
“Not a single criminal is going to be participating in this because they’re not allowed to.” [30:24]

• Provincial premiers (left, right, centre) broadly reject the program as wasteful and ineffective.

Haubrich:
“You don’t get that kind of consensus in this country unless it’s Olympic hockey which we’re going to be looking at pretty soon.” [31:11]

• CTF is pursuing legal action for financial disclosure.

3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Patriotic not antagonistic:

  “It’s not a loathing for Canada, it’s a lament for what Canada has become and what it never could become.” (Ezra Levant, [03:53])

• CBC and the “Treason” Double Standard:

  “I had Grok search through the archives of the CBC for any single occasion where the CBC called Quebec separatists ‘treasonous’. And it came up with nothing.” (Ezra Levant, [09:02])

• Central Canadian ‘Virtue Signaling’:

  “Whoever can be the most anti separatist wins. I don’t know, the approval of the Laurentian elites, more money for the CBC.” (Ezra Levant, [10:02])

• On life after independence:

  “Most Albertans would have no difference at all in their life if Alberta were to be independent, other than they’d have lower taxes and they would be divorced from the insanity that’s going on in Ottawa.” (Ezra Levant, [21:30])

• Gun Buyback’s Lack of Criminological Impact:

  “The only people who the feds can take guns from are people who have followed the law. Not a single criminal is going to be participating in this...” (Gage Haubrich, [30:12])

4. Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Alberta History/Context: [00:00–03:40]
• Observation #1 (Patriotism): [03:40–04:40]
• Observation #2 (Sorrow not Rage): [04:40–05:25]
• Observation #3 (Anti-Separatist Rage): [05:25–09:02]
• Observations #4-5 (Anti-Separatist Projection, Not a Bargaining Chip): [09:02–13:03]
• Observations #6-7 (History Repeats, Population Movements): [13:03–18:00]
• Observation #8 (Mark Carney & Federal Antics): [18:00–20:00]
• Observation #9 (Impacts on Daily Life): [21:00–23:00]
• Observation #10 (Navigating Independence): [23:00–25:45]
• Gun Buyback Segment (Interview with Gage Haubrich): [25:45–32:27]

5. Overall Tone and Takeaways

• Tone: Direct, unapologetic, and often combative—Levant mixes personal anecdotes with pointed critiques of federal policies and elites.
• Perspective: Strongly sympathetic to Alberta independence, skeptical of federal motives, and highly critical of both Liberal government initiatives (esp. gun buyback) and Central Canadian media.
• Key Takeaway: The Alberta independence movement is characterized by reasoned resolve and growing momentum in response to repeated federal disrespect and central Canadian disdain; meanwhile, federal-led initiatives like the gun buyback underscore Ottawa’s fiscal irresponsibility and disconnect with Western Canadians.

Useful for listeners seeking a clear, opinionated digest of the episode’s arguments and featured interview, whether or not they support the perspectives presented.