For many Albertans and others in Western Canada, the results of Monday night’s election may not be what they were hoping for.

While a blue wave swept much of the prairies and the Conservative Party of Canada received more votes, it did not translate into seats, and instead, the Liberal Party won a minority government.

Following the results, the hashtag Wexit began trending on twitter as some Western Canadians expressed a desire to separate from Canada.

It’s a feeling Airdrie East MLA Angela Pitt says she’s been experiencing herself.

“It’s more than disappointing to see that the rest of Canada is interested in using as a paycheck and then biting the hand that feeds them,” Pitt explained. “I think there’s going to be some pretty interesting talks among Albertans as we move through this new reality that is very clearly anti-Alberta and anti-Alberta oil.”

Blake Richards, who has been re-elected for the fourth time in the Banff-Airdrie riding, says he can understand the frustration, but separation likely isn’t the answer.

“My job will be to continue to do what I’ve always been doing which is to make sure that the points are raised and raised strongly,” said Richards. “Making sure (our fellow Canadians) they understand what is happening here and obviously that resonated to some degree, there is no question.”

In his speech Monday night following the results, Liberal Leader and second term Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did address Alberta and some of the concerns that had already started to arise.

“To Canadians in Alberta and Saskatchewan, know that you are an essential part of our great country. I’ve heard your frustration and I want to be there to support you. Let us all work hard to bring our country together.”

However, Richards says it will take more than talk of unity to quell the feelings of anxiety and alienation in parts of the west.

“I guess time will tell right? But, we’ve heard this kind of thing from him before. He says he cares about us, he says he understands us, but we haven’t seen anything to actually show that is the case,” Richards explained.

The Banff-Airdrie MP believes that if Trudeau wants to promote unity, fairness and let Albertans know he hears the concerns being raised, that he needs to take pointed action to repeal legislation that’s been put in place which could hamper Alberta’s energy sector.

There was also a large rise in support for Quebec's separatist party the Bloc Quebecois, which went from 10 seats in Parliament to 32.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has plans to address the Alberta Legislative Assembly at 3:00 P.M. Tuesday, in regards to the results of the 43rd general election.

 

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