A key member of the prominent Alberta Prosperity Project, a group advocating for Alberta’s separation, has stepped down following the use of a racial slur during an event where the group unveiled a draft constitution for an independent Alberta.
The event, organized by the group responsible for the “Stay Free Alberta” citizen initiative petition, featured members of the Black Hat Gang, a Medicine Hat-based group credited with contributing to the plan. Ian Parkinson, one of the Black Hat Gang members, co-wrote the draft constitution titled the “Foundation of Freedom,” which was presented in Airdrie and live-streamed.
Parkinson’s derogatory comment, targeting Sikh, Muslim, or Arab individuals in relation to cultural or religious headwear, sparked immediate backlash. Mitch Sylvestre, the leader of the Alberta Prosperity Project, swiftly accepted Parkinson’s resignation, emphasizing that the group does not endorse such remarks.
The Black Hat Gang, Parkinson’s affiliated group, met with senior government officials in 2024 to propose a new draft document outlining Albertans’ rights. It was clarified that Parkinson held no official role within the Alberta Prosperity Project.
Criticism of the draft constitution, known as the “Foundation of Freedom,” extended beyond Parkinson’s remarks. Several separatist leaders, including Keith Wilson of Let Alberta Decide, distanced themselves from the document, labeling it as nonsensical and an unhelpful distraction.
The Alberta Prosperity Project’s draft constitution proposed unconventional measures, including the creation of an oversight branch in the government, elimination of property taxes, and the election of judges in a sovereign Alberta.
Despite the controversy, Sylvestre highlighted that the draft constitution serves as a starting point for discussions on a potential future Alberta constitution. He emphasized the need for broader input and discussions from various groups within the separatist movement.
The lack of consensus among separatists, as evidenced by differing opinions on the draft constitution, underscores ongoing challenges within the independence movement. Political observers suggest that a unified plan for Alberta’s potential separation from Canada is still lacking as the referendum approaches on Oct. 19.