From now until the Oct. 19 referendum in Alberta, the Edmonton Journal and Calgary Herald are publishing your thoughts about the upcoming vote and issues related to separation. Here are some of the latest emails we’ve received.

I am a proud Canadian. We were immigrants who came to Canada over fifty years ago. Canada treated us very well: opportunities for education, good jobs,  raised a family. Should you not happy with your parents, and pick up and leave your parents and all your brothers sisters provinces? We are human beings that can always talk, working issues out together. Come on Canada let’s stay together, strong and free. — Allan Mah 

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I was born in Alberta. I was raised here and lived here my entire life. I consider myself a Canadian first and and Albertan second. What the UCP is doing to Alberta is atrocious! Let’s look at the last three years. Teachers, health care, seniors benefits, and our most vulnerable on AISH. In last two weeks the UCP felt they had $350 million to hand out at $100 apiece to those Albertans that want to go through the process of again exposing themselves to government overreach. So instead of saving the AISH program at $40 million or hiring teachers, she has decided to pay 2/3 of my water bill this month.

No you will not be getting my vote UCP. No I will not be voting for separation. Please everyone see open your eyes we are stronger together. Anyone is an accident away from being on AISH. We are all one day going to be a senior. I know I still have a mom who needs benefits. I have adult children that one day may decide to bless me with grandchildren and I don’t want to have to cross an international border to visit them.

As I said at the beginning of this email I am a Canadian first and an Albertan second. If a referendum on some weird level is successful it won’t be on my tax dollars.

Hello Manitoba! Wab Kinew I agree with you! — Pamela Metzger

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Dismissing Alberta’s separation debate with slogans, insults, and emotional appeals is no substitute for addressing the reasons the movement exists. Support for greater autonomy did not appear out of nowhere, it is the product of years of federal policies that many Albertans believe have undermined the province’s economy, energy sector, and constitutional position.

Simply repeating that separation is “ridiculous” or a “waste of money” avoids the central question: why has dissatisfaction grown despite repeated promises that Alberta’s concerns would be addressed? If Canada is working so well for Alberta, there should be no fear of allowing Albertans to debate and vote on their future democratically.

Claims that the movement is driven by “bots,” “propagandists,” or “radicals” are attempts to discredit fellow Albertans rather than engage with their arguments. Hundreds of thousands of Albertans who question the current federal relationship are not extremists, they are taxpayers, workers, entrepreneurs, and families frustrated by years of economic and political decisions.

The referendum is not a declaration of independence; it is a democratic exercise that gives Albertans the opportunity to express their views. In a democracy, debate should be answered with evidence and ideas, not fear mongering, name calling, or attempts to delegitimize those with a different opinion. — E. Petterson

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I am angry a referendum is taking place at all.

I lived through the Quebec referendums of the late 70’s and 80’s. Issue is still not resolved, as this one will not be either. The losers will question “The Question”.

The other 9 questions are not being discussed by the media or the general public. They are offensive at best, and are not in the provincial government’s jurisdiction.

I am 70 years old and a Forever Canadian supporter. Zero chance of changing my mind or opinion on the issue of separation. — Don DesCotes

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I think the idea of separation is an overreaction to complaints about the way Alberta is treated – many are based on misinformation and lack of context. The separatist fringe fail to see the benefits of belonging to Canada. Separate and split is a short term and ill-advised perspective when one looks at what the province gains from being part of Canada. — P. Paradis

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Canadian Medical Researchers saved my life at the Cross Cancer Institute in 2000.  I walked out of an expensive, experimental treatment alive, and 26 years later I can tell the story.  Where will our excellent researchers go if Alberta separates?  My husband and I live on a farm.  We are in our 80s.  While others may consider leaving this beautiful province if it separates, we cannot exactly move our land which we love to another area, can we?  We have children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren here.  We have no desire to see Alberta separate and fracture Canada. — Nancy Mereska, Two Hills

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Some commenters recently learned about Alberta’s landlocked status and feel compelled to share their newfound knowledge. An independent Alberta would retain its physical geography but wouldn’t be limited by self-imposed ideological constraints. While I’m not a separatist, the Canada I’ve known for nearly six decades no longer exists. There are no plans for change, and it seems things are getting worse. Independence appears to be the only viable option. — Mark van Berkel

Alberta Voices is a Calgary Herald/Edmonton Journal project that amplifies Albertans’ thoughts on separation-related issues. Send your opinion, to be considered for publication, to edm-feedback@postmedia.com with the subject line Alberta Voices.