Western anger turns to thoughts of separation

In the wake of a federal election that some say shows support for Quebec separatism is on the wane, others are beginning to say a desire to leave Canada is on the rise in the West.

Some Canadian Alliance members of Parliament from Alberta say the talk of Western separation they're hearing comes out of anger with a political system that alienates the West.

"These people just feel they've made the best effort and they just want to see a change in their lifetime," said Alliance MP Rob Anders.

Earlier this year the Reform party remade itself, gave itself a new name and chose a new leader, all with a single goal in mind to try to make it to the government side of the House of Commons.

After risking the support of many who saw the efforts as a compromise of the Reform's original purpose, the hoped-for breakthrough turned out to be a disappointing two seats east of Manitoba.

Ontario was seen as the key to the Alliance's chances for power, and leader Stockwell Day spent more time in that province during the campaign than in any other.

Despite those efforts, the Liberals under Jean Chrtien grabbed 100 of 103 seats in Ontario en route to a third majority government.

The Liberals also surprised the Bloc Qubcois by making gains in Quebec. Those results were interpreted by some as being indicative that support for Quebec sovereignty is declining.

Anders says the Chrtien government has to change its ways or the separatist sentiment in the West will grow.

But a political scientist at the University of Calgary says the talk of separation could indicate more problems for the party than for the country.

"I'm not sure that this is a bandwagon that most Albertans are going to jump on," said David Taras. "In fact, historically, Albertans have rejected separatism."

Whatever talk of breaking away from Canada, he says, is coming from a small and marginalized group.