The conversation opens with Mikayla Resists—last on The Gravity Well in May) arguing that global conflicts and Alberta’s political situation are driven by imperialism, greed, and resource extraction, framing the struggle as “people versus the power” rather than left versus right. She expresses frustration with the separatist movement, noting that despite sharing some anti-establishment rhetoric, separatists refuse to consider tools like general strikes and openly oppose unions, even though unions secured workers’ rights and benefits. The conversation then shifts to an ongoing data breach involving the Centurion Project, with Mikayla stating she is still monitoring the situation and working with a developer to build blockchain-based voting verification, while warning that Elections Alberta has only a year to issue fines and has not updated its website since late April. I connect the data breach to Premier Danielle Smith’s behaviour, suggesting US involvement and noting that Smith immediately travelled to the United States after the breach became public.
We then discuss two confrontational events Mikayla attended. At a pancake breakfast, Mikayla planned to confront Danielle Smith about AISH and ADAP policy changes, and also noted the presence of Chief Warren Driechel, whom she had been seeking accountability from regarding a trip to occupied Palestine. After her friend raised issues including trans rights and AI data centres, Smith deflected with a question about social media use, prompting Mikayla to loudly challenge her for platforming separatists, resulting in the now-known “fuck your fascist pancakes” moment. Following this event, Mikayla received, and is still receiving, serious threats and was followed by separatists. At the Alberta Independence rally at the legislature, a speaker named Leyton Grey, described as an indigenous lawyer, made statements defending residential schools, and a preacher called for bringing God into the separatist movement. Mikayla interrupted the rally, called attendees traitors, and was subsequently given a 90-day ban from the legislature by provincial sheriffs, while her friend was physically roughed up and briefly handcuffed.
The discussion broadens to cover US demands on Canada, with me listing 13 proposed conditions (https://finance.biggo.com/news/934d7490-f69f-4fa3-8cec-ccecd7485b62#:~:text=According%20to%20Canadian%20media%20reports) including veto power over Canadian infrastructure decisions, right of first refusal on critical minerals at a preferred price, elimination of cultural and language protections, and the ability to sue the Canadian government. I also make reference to the Alberta Prosperity Projects “Foundation of Freedom” surrender document, which Thomas Lucaszuk suggests should be mandatory reading here:
We criticize Smith for continuing to push for an Alberta separation referendum while Canada faces these external threats, contrasting her with Quebec’s premier who refused to discuss any referendum while Canada is under such pressure. Mikayla states that Smith has collaborated with separatists, knowingly allowed them to infiltrate her party, and appears to be acting as an agent for US interests rather than representing Albertans.
Our final segment focuses on grassroots resistance and the AI data centre issue. Mikayla visited Olds, Alberta, where residents are fighting a proposed data centre that would sit across from a local home, with no adequate plan for water or noise, and where the CEO of Synapse admitted he came to Alberta for its natural resources. I raise concerns about old natural gas wells being repurposed to power data centres instead of being cleaned up through the Orphan Fund, and questions the unnecessary use of freshwater when glycol could be used instead. Both hosts conclude on a note of cautious optimism, urging Albertans to vote no in the upcoming referendum, praising growing cross-divide cooperation, and committing to door knocking and canvassing efforts through Public Interest Alberta. Mikayla closes by challenging separatists to consider what they will do when they lose the referendum, noting she has yet to receive an answer.
Become a “Together NO” volunteer with Mikayla and me: albertareferendum2026.org/volunteer/!
TAKE ACTION: meet at the Hyatt Regency (8th Avenue & Centre Street) on Wed, Sep 9 at noon.
LEARN MORE: BIG TECH, BIGGER QUESTIONS
