Podcast Summary: Rebel News Podcast – What can Albertans learn from the UK's Brexit referendum?

Host: Ezra Levant
Guest: David Legg, former senior advisor to Alberta’s Premier
Date: February 25, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth conversation between Ezra Levant and David Legg, with a focus on what lessons Alberta can draw from the UK's Brexit referendum. The pair explore themes of autonomy, economic and cultural divides within Canada, parallels between Alberta’s independence debate and Brexit, and the challenges facing federalism. Legg brings perspective from his advisory role in Alberta’s post-NDP recovery and from his current time in London, offering both Alberta and international insights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Alberta’s Standing and Autonomy (01:04–08:20)

• David Legg recounts how post-NDP Alberta worked to rebuild relationships with global financial markets, positioning the province as an ethical, attractive destination for investment.
• Alberta’s economic strength is emphasized: job growth, innovation, and attracting capital, especially compared to other Canadian provinces.
• The "east-west" divide in Canada is highlighted, with Alberta’s conservative, resource-driven economy often clashing with the politics of central and eastern Canada.
• Legg argues for increased autonomy rather than outright separatism, supporting a Quebec-like federal framework for Alberta.
• Quote:
  David Legg [07:43]:
  “Alberta creates the most wealth in the country. It leads the nation by a long shot on job creation... Alberta, by instinct, is a conservative province. It has cut taxes, reduced regulation, and as a result, it has grown jobs 3.8% in the last year. The rest of the country is 0.6%.”

2. Brexit as a Model: Hidden Sentiments and the Power of Referendums (10:08–16:34)

• Levant draws an analogy between the “populist surprise” of Brexit and Alberta’s growing independence movement.
• Legg discusses the underestimated “hidden swing vote” that helped Brexit succeed—many felt it was impolite to voice support publicly but voted decisively for Leave.
• Both agree economic arguments often miss deeper issues of identity, security, and dissatisfaction with unresponsive elites, present in both the UK and Alberta.
• Legg predicts similar dynamics in upcoming Alberta referendums, with a latent desire for significant structural change.
• Quote:
  David Legg [10:53]:
  “The polling never picked up on the fact that there was a huge swing vote…deep down they were more concerned about the status of England and what it had become under a Brussels bureaucracy…”

3. The East-West Divide & Economic Grievances (16:34–23:47)

• Levant and Legg discuss the quality and substance of federal policies and how eastern Canadian attitudes create further Alberta resentment.
• Legg calls for a new “architecture” for Canadian federalism, suggesting Alberta could become “the Monaco of North America.”
• Critique of central Canadian politicians, especially Mark Carney, for policies that block Alberta’s prosperity.
• Legg lists mismanaged asylum, immigration policies, and regulatory barriers as major issues fueling separatist sentiment.
• Quote:
  David Legg [17:46]:
  “This is the only country in the world with this level of natural resource wealth that is so deeply self-defeating.”

4. Economic Decline, Cultural Frustrations, and Political Incompetence (23:47–31:21)

• Discussion on Canada’s overall economic stagnation, debt, and the way Alberta wealth subsidizes less productive provinces.
• Legg points out that if Alberta were independent, it would be among the world’s wealthiest democracies.
• Rising crime, asylum fraud, bureaucratic mismanagement, and culture-war policies are identified as reasons for eroding trust in the national project.
• Quote:
  David Legg [26:45]:
  “Alberta creates all this wealth that gets transferred into provinces that don’t feel the natural economic pressure of having chosen a left wing government or left wing governments…”

5. Project Fear vs. “Project Sneer” & Media Bias (31:21–44:03)

• Levant introduces the concepts “Project Fear” (scare tactics about pensions, etc., if Alberta pursues autonomy) and “Project Sneer” (Eastern pundits belittling Alberta’s aspirations, but treating Quebec separatists with respect).
• Legg explains that those who most vehemently oppose Alberta’s autonomy actually fear Alberta’s immense potential.
• Legg uses the Alberta Provincial Pension Plan as an example: Alberta could claim 45–50% of assets if it left the federal plan, mirroring Quebec’s arrangement.
• Notable moment:
  David Legg [36:45]:
  “If Alberta does… unlock fundamentally, we will within 20 years become the single most wealthy democracy on the planet. No holds barred.”

6. Democratic System Undermined: The Matt Jeneroux Incident (44:03–55:09)

• Levant recalls MP Matt Jeneroux's party switch as exemplifying federal disregard for Alberta’s democratic will and intensifying separatist sentiment.
• Legg critiques the practice of “backroom deals” and political opportunism, arguing this breeds cynicism and the sense of a “broken” country.
• Both note how such incidents alienate average Albertans and reinforce demands for autonomy.

7. The Conservative Movement and Preventing Fragmentation (55:09–56:27)

• The hosts urge unity among conservatives—referencing reform’s history of healthy internal debate but ultimate success.
• Levant and Legg agree that federal leaders like Pierre Poilievre and Premier Danielle Smith do more to keep Alberta in Canada than their critics realize.
• Legg sees robust conservative discourse as the “superpower” that could restore Canada’s economy and culture if allowed to flourish.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Alberta’s Economic Might:
  “We have 5 million people and we have $5 trillion worth of assets. Qatar is…incredibly wealthy... [but] this is the wealthiest democracy on planet Earth. Nothing is even close.”
  —David Legg [37:37]

• On the Subtext of Alberta Dissatisfaction:
  “If you're telling me I can't get that change federally, but I can get that changed provincially, you're tempting me now.”
  —David Legg [30:35]

• On Federal Neglect:
  “You could scare people a little bit about their pension maybe. …everyone in Alberta instinctively knows they're going to be better financially.”
  —Ezra Levant [32:00]

• On the Role of Conservative Leaders:
  “Pierre Poliev and Danielle Smith are the two people perhaps paradoxically doing the most to keep Alberta in the country.”
  —Ezra Levant [55:09]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [03:36–08:20] – Legg's role in rebuilding Alberta's global financial reputation and his perspective on the province's economic leadership.
• [10:08–14:49] – Lessons from Brexit, the hidden “Leave” vote, cultural and identity undercurrents.
• [16:34–23:47] – Critique of federal policies, the east-west divide, calls for a “Monaco” model.
• [31:21–35:18] – Discussion of “Project Fear” and “Project Sneer,” and Alberta’s potential if freed from federal constraints.
• [44:03–50:32] – Examination of the Matt Jeneroux “floor crossing” saga and its impacts on Albertan trust.
• [55:09–56:27] – The importance of unity in the conservative movement and why current Alberta and federal leaders are key to national cohesion.

Tone & Style

The episode’s tone is passionate, direct, and often combative regarding eastern Canadian politics. Both Levant and Legg speak in plain, forceful language, harnessing argument, anecdote, and comparison to advocate Alberta’s interests. The conversation is rich in references and realpolitik, avoiding technocratic jargon in favor of clear calls for self-determination and fairness.