AHC: Western Canada Concept wins Alberta election of 1983 or 1984

[Plumber]

Less than four years had passed since the Progressive Conservatives won their landslide victory in 1979. Premier Peter Lougheed decided to call a snap election to catch fledgling new parties off guard, most notably the separatist Western Canada Concept which was capitalizing on anger over Lougheed's perceived weakness in dealings with the federal government, in particular his acceptance of the hugely unpopular National Energy Program. The WCC had won a by-election earlier in the year, and Lougheed decided that it would be wise to stage a showdown with the WCC sooner rather than later.

The WCC, a party that advocated the separation of the four western provinces of Canada to form a new country, had surprised Canadians when Gordon Kesler won his by-election and took a seat in the Alberta legislature. Although Kesler lost his seat in this election after he changed electoral districts from Olds-Didsbury and ran in Highwood, the WCC won almost 12% of the popular vote.

Western Seperatism won't gain steam unless Alberta leads it. But threading that needle is very difficult. One would probably have to get rid of Lougheed while simultaneously keeping Trudeau. So, let's say Lougheed dies before he can call a snap election. After that, then what? Would Patriation have to end up unsuccessful as well, or will a Premier who isn't a masterful as Lougheed do to end up giving the WWC power in the 1983 or 1984 election?

 

[Dirk_Pitt]

If this happens then I could see the Quebec Independence Movement gaining more traction. I could see East Canada falling apart.

 

[RogueBeaver]

Don Getty would succeed Lougheed as per OTL since he was Lougheed's chosen successor. While Getty wasn't nearly as adept as Lougheed, as OTL showed, he would defeat WCC fairly easily. Getty was Lougheed's intergovernmental affairs minister so Alberta's negotiating position wouldn't be much different if we assume federal history doesn't change substantially. The problem with WCC is that they don't have a charismatic, capable leader like the PQ had with Rene Levesque. Plus the early '80s PCs are far stronger than UN c. 1969. I do see the WCC potentially gaining a foothold in the Legislature, but no more than 3-4 seats (of 87) if that. You might get an earlier version of OTL's Reform, which can harness that same voter base. Perhaps even a provincial Reform (mentioned IOTL in the late '80s, usually with Harper or Deb Grey as leader) that looks a lot like Wildrose now.

 

[Deckhand]

The wcc always has doug christie....

Isn't he popular in Alberta?