National pride waning in Alberta more than other provinces: Ipsos poll

A poll done specifically for Global News shows that 29 per cent of Albertans are less proud to be Canadian than five years ago.

A new poll shows that Albertans are 29 per cent less proud to be Canadian than they were five years ago.

According to an Ipsos poll done specifically for Global News, Alberta’s national pride has decreased at a greater rate in recent years than in any other part of the country.

Edmontonian Lynn Howard said she’s feeling less proud to be Canadian than she did five years ago, but still thinks it’s a great place to live.

“I think politics have really impacted how we feel about things,” said Howard. “It’s largely politicized now, and 10-years-ago I don’t think we were like that,” she said. “You might not like your premier and your members of parliament but they come and go. Otherwise, I think we should be happy.”

“You still see Canadians coming out when there’s need, when there’s a disaster and that’s been bred in us all the time,” added Howard’s husband, Bob.

Albertans are less proud to be Canadian than they were five years ago – lower than most other provinces across the country.

“A more negative outlook is acting as an anchor on the attitudes of those in the prairies,” said the poll’s author, Sean Simpson.

“Definitely there’s a more political aspect, too. But the Alberta economy has been struggling for quite some time. Energy transition, climate change — there are maybe even more challenges facing that part of the country.”