Paper 5: The first 1000 Days
Our work starts well before declaring independence. Nations that declare before they prepare pay for it later with currency collapse and years of uncertainty. Our work has already begun.
We have established international relationships for recognition of a Free Alberta. Recognition will follow the will of the people, shown through a decisive vote. These relationships cover trade and defense. For trade, we will finalize deals with the United States. These deals will improve on USMCA. We will also finalize deals with partners in Asia and Europe. For defense we are in conversation to establish alliances based on contributions proportion to population. Alberta will offer land to host defense assets.
Once the Free Alberta government is in place, our police forces need to operate without disruption. The majority of police are already provincial or municipal. They continue as is. For the regions monitored solely by the RCMP, we will give existing RCMP officers an opportunity to apply for the Alberta Protection Force (APF). Money to fund the APF will be covered from savings on federal transfer payments.
On Day 1 of the Free Alberta, the provincial legislature passes the Declaration of Independence. The Premier becomes the interim President. The Alberta legislature becomes the interim Parliament. The provincial cabinet becomes the interim government. The interim government formally requests recognition from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and the European Union. The new currency, the New Alberta Dollar 1:1 with the Canadian Dollar, and Canadian dollars continue to circulate. The interim government takes control of federal facilities physically located in Alberta such as CRA offices, RCMP detachments, military bases, federal court buildings and ports of entry.
The Alberta Revenue Agency absorbs federal tax administration, and lowers taxes.
By the end of Week 1, banks open. Payrolls run. Pensions pay. Garbage gets collected. This is the boring work that has to function. Most of it works because the people doing the work yesterday are still doing the work today. Continuity is a property of letting people do their jobs. The interim government issues an executive order. All provincial law remains in effect. All federal law applicable to Alberta remains in effect until replaced. No legal vacuum.
A foreign service begins operations, with embassies opening in Washington, London, Tokyo, and Brussels.
By Month 1, border posts go up at the British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, and Montana boundaries. Initial border policy: open transit for citizens of Canada and the United States with valid identification. Customs declarations required. Commercial traffic continues with electronic preclearance built on existing systems. Passport issuance begins. Founding citizenship is automatic for residents with historical ties to Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba. Recognition arrives. The United States is the first major country to recognize, conditional on the orderly conduct of the transition and the protection of US business interests. Other Western states follow within weeks.
By Month 3, there is legal and immigration reform. Common sense law prioritizes the safety of Albertans over the rights of violent criminals. Repeat crime drops close to zero. Criminals without legal status are deported. Albertans see a direct, visible consequence for breaking the law.
We implement zero tolerance policies for illegal immigrants living in Alberta. We remove temporary foreign workers who have extended their stay.
Downtown is safe and local cafes start to see increased foot traffic. 8th ave in Calgary becomes vibrant again, and Whyte Ave in Edmonton is safe.
By the end of Year 1, negotiations with the Government of Canada conclude on the division of federal assets and liabilities. Alberta receives its proportionate share of crown corporations, federal real estate, foreign reserves, gold, and CPP assets. Alberta assumes its proportionate share of federal debt. Net of assets, Alberta emerges with a positive balance.
By the end of Year 2, the new institutions reach steady state. The currency floats freely after a successful peg period. Trade volume far exceeds pre-transition levels. Investment flows in. The population grows through highly selective immigration and through people with Albertan heritage returning from elsewhere.
By Day 1000, Alberta is a functioning independent country with a stable currency. We have recognized borders, a competitive economy, and a quality of life that rivals Switzerland.
The first 1000 days are execution. What comes after is government. Interim powers expire by design. A constitution does not. Paper 6 takes up that topic.
