by Richard W. Anderton
«He presented his research to a live audience. A few days later, he received a death threat — investigated by police and treated as credible. No rebuttal. No counter-argument. Just a threat designed to silence the questions this book dares to ask. He filed a police report, then finished the book.
The Question Every Albertan Is Afraid to Ask Out Loud
It all started on federal election night 2025 — when the results were called before the polls had even closed in Alberta. For Richard Anderton, that moment revealed something many Albertans had quietly felt for years: that no matter how they vote, the outcome is always decided elsewhere.
What followed was a journey. A genuine attempt by an ordinary Albertan — a Calgary businessman — to sit with the hard questions honestly and follow the evidence wherever it led.
Inside This Book, You Will Discover:
How much does Ottawa's equalization system actually cost each Alberta taxpayer — and what is the impact of this on a typical family?
Could Alberta ever actually change the equalization formula — or is the answer already written into the rules Ottawa sets for itself?
What are the federal laws that have restricted Alberta's energy sector — and what did they collectively cost Alberta families?
The Vote That Revealed Everything — After signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Premier Smith, Ottawa was asked to put those same commitments to a binding parliamentary vote. What was the result?
The Objections, Faced Honestly — Pensions. Health care. Currency. Landlocked geography. The First Nations treaty rights. Every major concern about independence is addressed directly, with real data — not talking points.
The Nations That Made It — Dozens of new nations have been born since 1945, many facing steeper odds than Alberta. What did they do? How did it turn out? The answers will genuinely surprise you.
The Allegory That Makes It Personal — Every chapter ends with an instalment of Annabelle and Victor's story — a serialised domestic drama that mirrors Alberta's relationship with Ottawa in ways that data alone never could. The facts will inform you. Annabelle's story will stay with you.
Who This Book Was Written For
This book was written for two very different readers. The first isn't sure what they think about Alberta independence — maybe you love Canada, maybe the word "separatist" makes you uncomfortable, and you just want to understand what is actually going on. The second already believes Alberta would be better off as a sovereign nation but struggles to put it clearly when speaking at the dinner table.
Whether you are convinced, skeptical, or genuinely undecided — you are in exactly the right place.
The data is real. The stories are human. The conclusion is yours to reach.
Who This Book Is Absolutely NOT For (A Brief Public Service Announcement)
— Anyone who already has all the answers and finds facts mildly inconvenient. This book contains data. Proceed with caution.
— Anyone who thinks Alberta's best strategy is to write another strongly worded letter to Ottawa. We respect your perseverance. We cannot help you.
— Those patiently waiting for the federal government to voluntarily hand Alberta more power. We admire your optimism.
The Question Is on the Table Right Now
Alberta is heading toward a referendum. The decisions made in the next few months will shape what kind of province your children and grandchildren inherit.
Most Albertans will never attend an independence meeting. But they can read this book in the privacy of their own home.
The question is on the table. Is Alberta Independence Really Necessary — or Is There Another Way?»