Republican Party eyes independence for Alberta
By Lethbridge Herald on July 16, 2025.
Nathan Reiter
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A newly renamed political party is hoping to bring Alberta independence to a vote in a binding referendum.
The Republican Party of Alberta (RPA) was founded in 2022 as the Buffalo Party but was renamed earlier this year.
Cameron Davies, the leader of the RPA says the name change was done to show the party’s vision of Alberta independence, rather than the party’s previous stance.
“My understanding is they wanted a clear distinction between the previous party’s stance, which was within a united Canada, but a better deal for Alberta (with) more Alberta autonomy focus. (We’re) making it very clear that the party’s mission was now Alberta independence as an Alberta independent republic. They wanted to highlight the difference between our current confederation and system of government, and that of an independent Alberta republic.”
According to the RPA’s website, the party is not affiliated with the U.S. Republican Party. The RPA lists individual freedom, limited government, fiscal responsibility, equality of opportunity, rule of law, property rights, medical freedom and freedom of speech as part of their platform.
While the platform of the RPA reads similar to the UCP, Davies says there are issues where there is a difference.
 “One of our differences is that we actually believe in fiscal conservative values, we don’t just talk about it. Standing up for Alberta values and fighting for Alberta first, not Alberta next or Ottawa first. The UCP seems to have an identity crisis as to where they stand on a number of these issues that are important to Albertans, and we’re making it clear is that the (RPA) believe in Alberta first, we believe in a smaller, efficient and fiscally conservative government that respects Alberta’s values and traditions.”
Davies added that the RPA would look into gaining more control over immigration in the province. Currently the province of Quebec has a immigration system that runs independent from any federal immigration program.
Quebec has control over the selection of immigrants that move into the province thanks to the Canada-Quebec Accord which was signed in 1991. The federal government manages admission procedures such as medical, criminal and security checks. Quebec selects immigrants based on criteria that reflect the province’s priorities including language skills.
“The premier asked Justin Trudeau to increase Alberta’s immigration quota several times, and in the summer, made several statements, wanting to express her vision on a few interviews and podcasts that Alberta’s population should double in the next 25 years to 10 million people.” Davies explained. “That sort of doors wide open, mass immigration would seem devastating consequences, not only for 10th generation Albertans, but also for first generation Albertans. When you look at the lack of services, lack of schools, hospitals, roads, unfettered mass immigration is causing a severe decline in the quality of life for all Albertans. We believe that Alberta needs to retain control immediately of our own immigration in a similar fashion to what Quebec does currently.”
The RPA also runs on a pro-Alberta independence platform. One section of the RPA website features a section showing which MLAs in the province support a binding independence referendum. Â
Davies says the RPA sees a binding referendum as an important step because of how the current UCP government has handled the issue.
“We focus on a binding referendum because what we so often see with the current governing party is a lot of words, a lot of double speak, a lot of finely crafted platitudes to go along with their strongly worded letters and lawsuits and study panels. They’re all just doing another panel on why, on some issues that Albertans have talked about for decades. Even before I was born, we were talking about these issues, effective Senate, proper representation, controlling our own taxes, controlling our own immigration. These are all things we’ve talked about, and we need to have a binding referendum, not a petition to then maybe have a referendum.”
The next provincial election in Alberta is set to take place in 2027. Davies says the party is optimistic and hopes to have candidates running all across the province.Â
“We’re not taking any time off. The byelections were the start line for us. It was certainly not the finish line. Much to the talking heads and pundits on the conservative side of the equation, I think they simply wish we would go away, but that isn’t going to happen any time soon at all. We’re engaging with potential and future candidates across the province in all 89 ridings. We’re engaging in a province-wide policy workshop and engagement process with our members. We’re going to be conducting in 6 different locations, a constituency association and campaign workshops in preparation for the 2027 election. We are gearing up to offer a clear, pro-Alberta, pro-Alberta independence conservative option in the next election.”
17-16
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These separatist parties get way too much press for a small minority of Albertans pushing a losing issue. The grifters that lead these parties are the only ones winning at the expense of gullible donors.