Thank you for the opportunity to speak here today.

Albert Einstein said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result.

Unfortunately, on two of Albertans' most important issues – health care and education – the actions of Ralph Klein and the Progressive Conservative Party resemble this definition. "Let's have another study – let's take another look and see what we can fix – let's have a commission – we have some new ideas but we have to find the money."

No leadership, no plan, no ability to look outside the box. And, by the way, I have a news flash for King Ralph – he sends the money we need to do these things to Ottawa every year and it doesn't come back.

Ladies and gentlemen, be aware that following in step with this progressive policy making system are the Liberals, the NDP, the Socreds and now, the Alberta Alliance.

The Alberta Alliance Party stands before you and makes promises it can't keep. Their sole objective is to be elected, to get into power – not to ensure the future of Alberta for Albertans. The Alberta Alliance thinks it will be different if they form the government. It can't be different and it won't be different. The founder of the Alberta Alliance Party, Randy Thornsteinson, knows that and said if they can't make change, they will become separatists. If they are elected, it will be four or five more years of doing the same thing. And, ladies and gentlemen, as Einstein said – that is insanity.

The Separation Party of Alberta, unlike the Alberta Alliance, is honest and forthright about our intentions. We know that change cannot be made within confederation and the only hope for Alberta's future is to place Alberta first, and become an independent nation.

The Alliance is trying to get elected on a soft approach telling Albertans they are going to make changes but if they can't, they will become separatists. This shows a definite lack of leadership, honesty and moral conviction.

Implementation of the Alberta Agenda is the first step towards Alberta independence. Premier Klein knows this and, as a good Liberal, he and his Progressive Conservative Caucus will never allow this to happen. This is the first thing that will happen, as a precursor to our party's negotiations with Ottawa, for Alberta independence.

Can Alberta afford independence?

Let me explain what I meant when I said Ralph sends the money to Ottawa that Alberta needs to insure quality health care and education systems, as well as a viable economic future for Albertans.

Please listen very carefully because few Albertans understand this right now. This should make you angry or, at the very least, make you ask "Why?". In 2004, the net transfer of money from Alberta to Ottawa was 9.3 billion dollars. That same year, the total oil and gas royalties from all sectors to Alberta was 8.4 billion dollars. Simply put, Alberta gave Ottawa all our oil and gas royalties and another 900 million dollars to be Canadian with no return on investment.

Please don't talk to me about sharing our revenue from a non-renewable resource with our fellow Canadians. What is currently happening is theft – out and out theft. Ottawa takes Alberta's money to subsidize Quebec and other provinces that refuse to take the tough steps that are necessary to get their houses in order.

Why should Alberta subsidize other regions' mismanagement?

Fellow Albertans, let me ask you this: "Who is going to pay Alberta when oil and gas are gone or obsolete, and we become a have-not region because we didn't fully diversify our economy?" Answer: "No one!"

Alberta will never change the way things work inside confederation for two irrefutable reasons.

Reason One: The amending formulae of the Canadian Constitution.

Reason Two: Central Canada is never going to give up control of the Golden Goose.

Therefore, the solution is not another party like the Alberta Alliance, promising change. The solution is an honest party telling the truth about confederation and offering independence from this irreparable mess called Canada.

What would an independent Alberta look like economically, socially and internationally?

The question of the economic ramifications of Alberta independence is something all Albertans should be concerned about. What about my current pension plans? What about my cabin in Saskatchewan? My winter home in British Columbia? What currency would we use or would we establish our own currency? Would we trade in American dollars? Would we have a central bank? Who would our biggest trading partner be? Would we trade with Canada? These economic questions are being researched, even as we speak.

The one question that isn't asked by most is, "Would Alberta be successful on its own?" The simple answer is, "Yes." Studies have shown that Alberta would be an economically strong, viable independent nation. What federalists and central Canada refuse to address is, Alberta independence would be a severe blow to the Canadian economy. They should be taking western alienation very seriously and they don't.

Socially speaking, Alberta independence will bring two major problems: immigration and infrastructure. Like in "Field of Dreams" – when we build it, they will come. As we've said many times before, "Life in Alberta will be a SPA when we get rid of Ottawa." People will flock to this land of opportunity. But this will indeed be a huge undertaking.

What about health care? My forced experiences with the health care system, with my wife's passing, my father's passing, and my motorcycle accident, lead me to believe the health care system needs strong, competent management, not money. SPA believes the first major change would be to have the money follow the patient as opposed to lump sum payments to health units. This would create competition for the patient and improve service. We believe serious changes have to be made in how health care is delivered but currently waiting lists are the scourge of the system.

Remember the 9.3 billion dollars I mentioned earlier, that Alberta gave to Ottawa with no return on investment last year? One billion dollars would put one MRI in every small hospital in Alberta and three new MRIs in every large hospital in this province, with the staff to operate them for one year. This is just one example of what independence would do.

Alberta has nothing to fear internationally. We border the most powerful nation in the world. We supply them with 17 per cent of their oil and gas. Common sense dictates the United States of America will never let anyone interfere with the country of Alberta. We believe the United States will maintain their position as our largest trading partner. We also believe that removal of the inter-provincial trade barriers will result in far more trade among western regions.

Alberta independence may bring short-term sacrifice – not financially for the people, as their net worth will stay the same or increase. The sacrifice we refer to will be the lapse between a new country struggling to establish itself domestically and a new country taking its rightful place on the world stage.

Ladies and gentlemen, don't be afraid of independence. Research it. Weigh your options. Make an informed decision on what you feel Alberta's future should be. Do you want to maintain the status quo and eventually, inevitably become a citizen of a "have-not" region in Canada? Or do you want to become a resident of the most dynamic new nation in the world?