Why 50 Alberta Independence Supporters Walked Into a Pro-Canada Brewery - Video

Why would dozens of Alberta independence supporters deliberately bring their business to a brewery associated with forever Canada?

After our Alberta flag wave along Gaetz Avenue in Red Deer, somewhere between 50 and 70 of us headed to Red Hart Brewing — not to protest or argue, but to have a few beers, support a local business and show that political disagreement does not have to turn people into enemies.

Earlier that day, roughly 100 people had gathered along Gaetz Avenue. That is where I met Peter and Louis, who join Al Bertan and me for this conversation.

I chose Red Hart Brewing for a reason.

A few months earlier, I filmed here during a Forever Canada event. I strongly disagree with that position, but the owners of Red Hart treated me respectfully and engaged with me in what I considered a genuine, good-faith conversation.

That stuck with me. If they were willing to treat me respectfully while I openly advocated for Alberta independence, I wanted to return that respect and bring them some business.

So that is exactly what we did.

Roughly 50 to 70 people from the flag wave came over. We filled much of the upstairs, ordered drinks and food and had a great afternoon. We were not there looking for confrontation. Some of us wore Alberta independence hats and hoodies, so it was obvious who we were.

I believe you can disagree profoundly with someone politically without treating them as an enemy. If other people tear down signs, attack businesses, assault people or act badly on camera, I do not think the answer is to become what we criticize.

If Alberta ever does become independent, winning a vote would only be the beginning. After that comes the harder task of building a country alongside millions of Albertans, including many who may have voted against independence.

Those people would still be our neighbours, coworkers, friends and family.

A new country cannot remain united if the campaign to create it leaves half the population feeling like enemies. That is why I think the way we conduct ourselves now matters.

That question leads into a wider conversation about Quebec’s sovereignty experience, Alberta identity, immigration, firearms, free speech, religion, Canadian identity and what an independent Alberta might look like.

Peter immigrated to Canada from the Philippines, previously served in the Canadian Armed Forces and runs the YouTube channel Filipino Albertan.

Filipino Albertan:
https://www.youtube.com/@FilipinoAlbertan

Louis moved from Quebec to Alberta roughly 25 years ago and remembers the political atmosphere surrounding Quebec sovereignty. That gives us an interesting comparison with Alberta today.

We do not agree on everything, especially when we get into immigration, religion and individual freedom.

That is partly the point.

You can disagree, challenge each other and still sit at the same table afterward.

RED HART BREWING

I also want to give Red Hart Brewing a huge recommendation.

Regardless of politics, the staff treated our entire group extremely well. They were friendly, welcoming and professional, the atmosphere was fantastic, the local craft beer was great, and they handled a very large group remarkably well.

This is the kind of locally owned Alberta business I want to support.

Red Hart Brewing
488 McCoy Drive #112
Red Deer County, Alberta

Website:
https://www.redhartbrewing.ca/

Google Maps:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2g79iEPqM35QEzQf7

Instagram: @redhartbrewing
Facebook: @redhartbrewing

If you are near Red Deer, stop in, have a pint and support them.

If this video is the reason you go, please tell them Jon From Alberta sent you. I would genuinely like them to know that treating somebody respectfully, even when you disagree politically, resulted in people coming back to support their business.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Why We Came to Red Hart Brewing
03:53 Meet Peter — Filipino Albertan
08:20 A Quebecer’s Perspective on Alberta
20:19 What Happens After an Independence Vote?
22:39 What Does It Mean to Be Albertan?
51:34 What Happens on Referendum Day?
62:18 Could Alberta Actually Build a Country?
75:08 Final Thoughts — Agree to Disagree

WATCH THE PREVIOUS VIDEO:
Alberta’s Referendum Could Send Three Very Different Messages
https://youtu.be/pz7BaDJGnFw?si=oSmj6h1VSt4gW0nw

WATCH THE PREVIOUS VIDEO:
They Called Us “Traitors”—Then an Alberta Business Was Attacked
https://youtu.be/FqHJqGPejkU?si=bHioN61RnepjZN01

I Showed Up Alone:
https://youtu.be/uV6ukClc6ls?si=xuS51EImoOgotkjU

The opinions expressed in this video belong to the individual speakers. Political claims, historical interpretations and allegations are the views of the people making them.

If you disagree with us, leave a comment.

You do not have to agree with me to be welcome here.

That is kind of the point.