A member of the prominent Alberta Prosperity Project, a pro-separation group, has stepped down after using a racial slur at an event where the group unveiled a draft constitution for an independent Alberta. The event, organized by the “Stay Free Alberta” citizen initiative petition, featured members of the Black Hat Gang from Medicine Hat, who were involved in developing the constitution. Ian Parkinson, one of the members, co-wrote the constitution titled the “Foundation of Freedom,” which was presented in Airdrie and broadcasted online.
During the event, Parkinson made a derogatory comment that sparked controversy. Following this incident, Mitch Sylvestre, the leader of the Alberta Prosperity Project, accepted Parkinson’s immediate resignation and stated that Parkinson would no longer be involved in the group’s activities or events.
The group Parkinson is affiliated with, the Black Hat Gang, had previously engaged with government officials and proposed a new draft document outlining Albertans’ rights in 2024. Parkinson was not a formal board member or officer of the Alberta Prosperity Project.
The comment made by Parkinson received widespread criticism, including from within the separatist community. Keith Wilson, co-leader of the pro-independence group Let Alberta Decide, condemned Parkinson’s remark, emphasizing that it does not reflect the values of those supporting independence.
The draft constitution presented by the Alberta Prosperity Project, named the “Foundation of Freedom,” has faced backlash from other separatist groups for its unconventional proposals. These proposals include the introduction of an “oversight branch” as a fourth government entity, elimination of property taxes, implementation of term limits for elected officials, and the election of judges in an independent Alberta.
While the draft constitution was not publicly available online, it stirred discussion and criticism within the separatist movement. Some leaders distanced themselves from the document, calling it a distraction and expressing concerns about its content. Despite the lack of consensus among separatists, Sylvestre stated that the draft was meant to initiate discussions on a potential future Alberta constitution.
Jared Wesley, a political science professor, noted that the recent disagreements reflect the ongoing disunity within the independence movement as Alberta approaches its referendum on October 19.