An Undercurrent of Separation

Polarizing issues within Canada are creating an undercurrent of separatism that threatens to tear the country apart. We see this in Eastern Canada, with Quebec’s desire for greater independence, as well as in Western Canada, particularly Alberta, which calls for more control over resources and a more visible presence in federal policies. Separatist rhetoric in both Eastern and Western Canada increased after the Canadian elections in spring 2025. Interestingly, some of the very concerns that forced Canada to come together as one nation in 1867 are at the heart of the current separatist movements.

Britain’s changing attitude toward its colonies in the mid-1800s was one of the primary factors that influenced Canada’s formation. This change in attitude was driven by the financial and military burdens of Britain’s far-flung empire. Britain’s vast imperial reach was costly to maintain, so expenses were shifted onto the colonies themselves. As Britain reduced colonial spending on military and public works, the colonies had to find ways to finance the building of necessary infrastructure and defend themselves from invasion. Colonies that had once enjoyed preferential trade treatment were now scrambling for new strategic trading partners.

Tariffs became a big issue as the colonies sought to generate revenue while integrating into the growing global economy. For the British colonies in North America, it made sense to work together as a political, economic, and military unit. The British North American Act (a.k.a. the BNA Act or the Confederation Act) was passed by the British Parliament, receiving full royal assent on March 29, 1867. Three months later, on July 1, the Province of Canada (Ontario and Quebec), Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick colonies were officially united, forming the Dominion of Canada. Since confederation, Canada has undergone several changes that have expanded the nation to now comprise ten provinces and three territories.

Canada is young compared to many other countries, yet it has been a moderating and stabilizing influence throughout its brief history. That influence has been waning over recent years and may continue to erode if the country cannot withstand the undercurrents disrupting its own stability.

Separate Identities

The idea of separation has been a part of Quebec politics for decades. That province, the largest in Canada, has a distinct cultural and linguistic identity, which it has rigorously tried to maintain. Some believe Quebec’s uniqueness is a reason to leave the Confederation. Quebec has held two separatist referendums, one in 1980 and another in 1995. The outcome of both those referendums was that most voters in that province chose to remain a part of Canada. However, the results for the 1995 referendum were almost evenly split, with 50.58 percent choosing not to separate. The separatist movement in Quebec has gained some recent momentum as separatists in Western Canada have become increasingly vocal (“Around half of young people in Quebec support sovereignty: poll,” CityNews.ca, June 26, 2025).

Like Quebec, the separatist sentiment in Alberta has been part of the political banter for years, although the movement has not been as cohesively organized as in the east. More recent events have led to what appears to be a resurgence of separatist sentiment in Alberta. Unlike Quebec, the current Alberta separatist movement has a predominantly right-wing support base and focuses on economic and political grievances—resource management, federal policies, and political representation—rather than cultural or linguistic differences. Alberta, resource-rich and with a relatively youthful population, has expressed mounting frustration over not being heard in Ottawa. There has not yet been a formal separatist referendum in the western areas of Canada, which may soon change. The Alberta government, under Premier Danielle Smith, recently introduced a bill making it easier to trigger referendums, and it is looking at possibly tabling a referendum on separation as early as 2026 if enough Albertans support it (“Is Alberta Serious About Separating?,” Maclean’s, June 12, 2025).

Many Wrong Ways

God’s word teaches that there are two ways. The book of Genesis introduces this concept via two trees: the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life. Later, this concept is reinforced when God makes a covenant with the Israelites and gives them direct instruction on which way they should choose:

See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess (Deuteronomy 30:15–18).

God then reiterates His instruction in a powerful way, saying, “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” (v. 19).

Ultimately, there are only two ways: a good way that leads to life and an evil way that leads to death. The Bible is clear that God’s way is the good way that leads to life.

Do not be confused by the polarization of the world. It is Satan’s kingdom (John 12:31). Christ clearly stated that “if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand” (Mark 3:24). This world’s social, economic, and political divisions do not represent two different ways, but are instead different paths along a common way, all leading to the same destination. They represent the way of evil that leads to death, the way of the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Separatist extremes in Canada and elsewhere are not where our focus should be. Jesus Christ plainly instructs us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). We must use God’s Holy Spirit with our God-given intellect to form sound, biblically based understanding, but we are not to spend copious amounts of time dwelling on the issues of this world or trying to sway others to a particular point of view.

None of the world’s controversies reveal the way to life, the good way God instructs us to choose. Satan has deceived people into believing that, due to the stark contrasts of beliefs and opinions available in the world around us, its people are choosing between life and death—but, in reality, they are choosing between death and death.

The world is increasingly divided. As Christians, we must understand the source of this division if we are to avoid getting entangled in the chaos and confusion that results from social, economic, and political issues. God’s way does not promote disunity.

You can learn more about the soon-coming time when the world will be at one, unified under the sound leadership of Jesus Christ, by reading our free booklet The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like? You can read it online at TomorrowsWorld.org or order a free printed copy.