Alberta separatist group expels member after racist slur at constitution launch
Ian Parkinson quit the Alberta Prosperity Project after delivering a racist comment at a draft constitution event, prompting Mitch Sylvestre to accept his resignation.
At a livestreamed gathering in Airdrie, the Alberta Prosperity Project unveiled a draft constitution dubbed the “Foundation of Freedom,” featuring input from the Black Hat Gang of Medicine Hat. Ian Parkinson, introduced as a co-author, made a derogatory remark targeting Sikh, Muslim or Arab headwear, which was met with applause before being condemned. Mitch Sylvestre, the group’s leader, announced Parkinson’s immediate resignation and prohibited him from representing the organization.
Prominent separatist voices such as Keith Wilson and law professor Bruce Pardy publicly rejected the draft, describing many proposals as nonsensical and noting the absence of consensus. The incident underscores fractures within Alberta’s independence movement ahead of the Oct. 19 referendum. One outlet attempted to contact Parkinson for comment but received none.
Why it matters
The incident reveals internal divisions and reputational challenges for Alberta’s separatist movement as it seeks a referendum.
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