บทถอดความฉบับเต็มของ Thanksgiving, Voting, and Respectful Debate in a Polarized Canada

always say, Well, if a bunch of them feel that way, then it kind of Puts us in a weird position. But do you know how many conservative people I know that don't think that way? A lot. A lot that aren't prejudice. A lot that aren't Michael: Well that's Lisa McGrath: misogynist. A lot that are supportive of many rights for people across the board. So when people make blanket statements about a certain group, it really quite pisses me off, to be honest. I don't like it on either side. Michael: No. Nope. And I it when I oftentimes I find it to be lazy. Lisa McGrath: Mm-hmm. Michael: It's lazy just to throw a label on it, right? So whether that's LibTard on one way, the other way typically, and I'll tell you like what I receive, which is usually like Nazi, white supremacist, misogynistic, fascist, right? Lisa McGrath: Fascist. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Michael: And you're like But listen, I A, I'm not I'm not telling you what to think and feel. You can think and feel whatever you want to think and feel, as long as you're not causing harm to anybody else who doesn't agree with you, then it's fine. Right? And you can do whatever you want. Lisa McGrath: Yeah. I guess Yeah. Michael: And that's that's okay. That's why we have a democratic system. Right. And there there are, of course, there are holes in which to go down where it's like, I completely disagree and I think that is a hundred percent wrong. And then and I'm sure it happens the other way as well. But To throw a simple label on it rather than just having a conversation about it is why I'm grateful for this. And I wish people would just take that time. Cause I'm I am grateful for people who disagree with me because it shows me sometimes that the disagreement isn't that far. And sometimes to realize that the crazy is real. Right. And that goes both ways. Right. Again, that 10% on both sides, that the crazy Lisa McGrath: Jesus. Michael: is real. And to know that the crazy is real. You have to know where to draw your lines in the sand and be comfortable drawing them and be explicit about it. Right? Lisa McGrath: Mm-hmm. Michael: In all ways to be, I don't even know how to say this, to be to be strong in your beliefs. And use everything of legal means in which to do it, which also means human rights, which also means hate speech, which also means that type of stuff, to function inside of that space. And if you can do that correctly, I think a lot of the divide can go away short of policy, right? Because policy is a different conversation. And don't drag everything in. Again, we talked about this last episode. Stick to the one point. conclude the one point as best you can and then move on to something else. And I think people will find that that divide can be huge, but still you can have a conversation about it. Or it can turn out to be a lot smaller than what you thought. Lisa McGrath: Great. And this is where I will take it into the grateful aspect of someone like me who has the ability to come on into a space like this and have these conversations. Number one, I'm grateful for that. I'm grateful for the trailblazers ahead of me. I am grateful for all of the women and men that fought to have a voice and to really make that democratic s process work. It doesn't always sometimes appear that it's working. But I tell you there's always somebody out there that is going to have a loud voice and want to see the democratic system actually put it to the test. And so all of us that talk about voting because it's coming out on the 14th, we also know that the 19th in Alberta is gonna be our voting day for this referendum. Perfect example. Be grateful that you have an opportunity to have your voice heard. Right. Michael: And please go exercise your right to vote. Please go Lisa McGrath: Yes, absolutely. Michael: do that. I am so tired of seeing elections being won majorities by 38% of the voting public. Like that, that to me is just insane. It's just Lisa McGrath: Yeah, agreed. Michael: insane. Get out there and vote. Tell your employer, I'm not coming in today. I'm going to go vote. Do it now. Book the book the vacation time. Book it off. Lisa McGrath: Yeah. Or just get the mail in. Get the mail in. I got the mail in. The mail in's coming. Michael: You know what? I just there's a for me, I don't like the idea of mail-in because it touches a lot of hands before it gets there. Right? I like the idea of I've done it, it's there, it I mean it shouldn't be leaving the building, but I mean there's lots of stuff about that and conspiracy theories or actual theories. Lisa McGrath: They have designated areas that you have to drop your ballot. So it's like there's a designated Michael: Yeah. Lisa McGrath: area that I have to go and then they have a box that it gets put into. And I think that box gets collected by Elections Canada. Michael: Right. We haven't seen people sticking hoses in them and stuff like that. Like again, Lisa McGrath: who knows? Michael: it's just it's one of those things. There's always going to be election interference of some shape or fashion, right? People, human beings are fallible. Lisa McGrath: Yeah. Michael: And so you do your best. And that's why I think taking the time to exercise your vote might require some actual exercise of getting there, walking there, driving there. Right? Do do the bit of work. Lisa McGrath: I've always done that in the past, but because of how many questions are on there and how many people, I don't know how many people in Alberta have actually taken the time to actually read the questions beforehand or if those questions will actually show up just as they are. So I'm someone who wants Michael: question. Lisa McGrath: to be able to read them in the comfort of not having pressure to hurry the fuck up and vote. I want to read them. Even like even if it means that even if I got sent an email that was like, you have 20 minutes to complete. I'd be like, fine, I have a timeline, but I don't have somebody else like hurry the

fuck up behind me because that's pressure, right? People feel that pressure and then they're just voting whatever. Where there could be a question that's worded completely different on the actual ballot. And I'm like, wait a minute. That's not what I read before. This is different. Right. So that's another thing, is that I just I think people there's no point in having pressure. They were talking about like lines being like four hours, and I'm like, no thanks. Michael: Right. But I mean, like Lisa McGrath: No thanks. Michael: boy, this is a this is another thing that I I get concerned about, and again, people can call it a conspiracy theory, they can call it whatever they want. But I mean, if you're doing the mail-in one, so say for example, you live in a household where, you know, there's a mom, a dad, or a dad and a dad, a mom and a mom, whatever it is, and there's three kids that are old enough to vote in all in that household. What if one person in that household runs that household and just says, you know what, I'm filling out everybody's form and you don't get a say? Lisa McGrath: Ooh. Michael: Right? But it's something to really think about that is entirely possible. Right? Or you have an elderly Lisa McGrath: Mm-hmm. Michael: person there and you're like, don't worry, mom, I'll fill it for you. And you're asking her the questions, and and you know, and but you're checking off the box if you want. I'm just Lisa McGrath: Mm mm. Yeah, that gets a little bit complicated. I agree with you. I agree. Michael: saying it's it's something to be a point of concern. Whereas Lisa McGrath: Mm-hmm. Michael: I think every mail in ballot should be vetted. Every single one should be vetted, otherwise, because when you go there, you produce identification, which I still think should be a requirement. Lisa McGrath: Mm-hmm. Michael: Right. And people can argue that back and forth, but I mean that's I'm I I just don't see any reason why you wouldn't want that. Right. Right. Lisa McGrath: Yeah. I have to see what the mail in looks like, Michael. And then maybe I'll pull it up on one of our podcasts and be like, This is what it looks like. Maybe that's one of the things. Yeah. Michael: That would be an that would be an interesting thing to look at. Maybe make it a bonus episode. I will maybe slip in, right? Lisa McGrath: Yeah. Michael: Like right after the referendum to be like perfect. Lisa McGrath: Mm-hmm. Michael: 'Cause we don't want I don't want to have an effect on it, Lisa McGrath: Mm-hmm. Michael: right? Short of just having a conversation. but just going like, hey, after Yeah. Right. Lisa McGrath: Yeah, no, no. Like I will take pictures of it of it without any of my responses. And then we can talk about it after the fact and how that looks. Because I would have it would have been nice to have something like even somebody, a canvaser, come door to door, hand you the iPad and say, please respond. Michael: Right, fill it out. Lisa McGrath: Yeah, please respond. And then it automatically goes to Elections Canada. But then I always worry about like where's the interference? Where is it going to be intercepted online? Because that's not hard. Like there's always things, and that's where I try and stay out of the negative. I Michael: Right. Lisa McGrath: want to believe I'm gonna live in my little fucking respective cocoon and I'm gonna say, I'm filling this out. I want to believe it's going to get to where it needs to get to, and that my voice is going to be heard based on what I voted for. Michael: Right. Lisa McGrath: And I mean, there's always the fear that, you know, people are gonna interfere with this, that, and the other thing. And we'll see, because here's the thing if it came back and there's a big uproar. And there's more Albertans going, that's not how we voted. I we don't understand. And like it's like way more than what the votes came in at, and they're all showing that they voted, then it's gonna go into an investigation. So I'm hoping that people just keep it on the fucking straight and narrow. If people should win, like whatever wins on this ex election should be like at face value. It should be just exactly what it is, not well, we're gonna take these and take that. Like I always hate when people have to cheat to win. Pisses me off. Michael: Right. Lisa McGrath: It's like you can't just wait, you know you're gonna lose, so you just you fuck yourself over. It's like, you know, people who make decisions and they should just move forward with it, but they don't believe in themselves enough. So then they have to like kibosh it in some way, not only realizing that they would have got what they wanted in the long run had they just done what they were supposed to. Now it's gonna go completely under investigation. Stupid. Michael: Well, the the winners always say it was the most free and fair election and the losers always say there was corruption. Right? Pretty much always nowadays. Right. Lisa McGrath: Yeah. I guess you're right. I mean this you're never gonna get away from that. So it is it is what it is. But anyway, just get out and vote. You want your voice to be heard, get out and vote. I don't want to hear Michael: Get on vote. Exercise your vote. Yep. Lisa McGrath: anybody who bitches at me who didn't go vote like fucking stupid. But anyways, moving along. Michael: Yeah, I kind of I kind of am a firm believer that if you choose not to vote, like choose not to vote, not, you know what, work up busy, family was sick, whatever, I just couldn't get out to vote. Lisa McGrath: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Michael: Which I think having a single day election seems very strange for in person. Right? Because we do have all these MP offices everywhere. That hey, if you didn't make that election day, there would be an extension that you can go to any MP office and go cast your ballot. And we won't count, and we're not even going to disclose anything for a week. Like none of this, like when we're running

elections and they got the counters going, where out East has started, BC hasn't even started voting yet. Like when you're talking about a federal election and stuff like that, they haven't even started voting yet. And they're already calling an election and it they haven't even started. Their workday is not even done. Lisa McGrath: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Michael: Like that to me just seems absolutely insane. Because how do you not call that voter interference where somebody's like, they've already won, they've got the numbers for it. What's the point? Lisa McGrath: Mm. Michael: Right, it's a disenfranchising to the Western Canada. Lisa McGrath: guess. I mean, like when it comes to like the federal election, I guess that that's how it can look. But I always wait because like you said, so our our booths close at eight o'clock. Well, eight, nine, ten. It's already ten o'clock where you are, ten, eleven in New Brunswick, twelve. It's already midnight in Newfoundland, Michael: Throw it at Dynakana. Lisa McGrath: right? And then you've got BC that's an hour behind us. Right? So there's seven o'clock when we're eight o'clock, right? So I don't I'm like it's not over till the fat lady sings and the fat lady is when B C polls close. Michael: But I think I think based on seats, I think you can actually like it gets like halfway across Canada and you could pretty well call an election, which is what happened, right? Last time. Lisa McGrath: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Michael: I mean, they called it really early, I thought, but that's fine by me. But I just I don't think you should be even allowed to start like let them tabulate instead of it like it's coming in live and blah, blah, blah. None of that. None of that should even exist. None of it. Lisa McGrath: Agreed. Michael: You shouldn't be able to show where the election is leaning this way or the other while people are still exercising their right to vote. Lisa McGrath: Right. And so with these types of elections and polls and whatnot comes a lot of emotion. You and I talked about this, which is going to make it really easy to lead into our acknowledgement for October 14th on Martin Luther King, who won the Nobel Peace Prize on this day. So to our fellow Americans, you know, we acknowledge that this American did something amazing. He was the youngest Nobel Prize winner at 35 years old, and he won for nonviolence. and leading peaceful protests, which is something that we all need to take a page in. And Michael, you had said that people should go read his acceptance speech. And so you had like Michael: Yeah, go watch, go watch it. Yeah. Like go watch it. Watch some of those speeches. Really understand what was happening at the time. Right? I think, I think if we don't study history, we're doomed to repeat it. And I mean, there's a lot of actions, the political actions happening right now, advocacy, advocacy. And you know, everybody feels disenfranchised. Right? Everyone does. And I I'm not sure where fully that comes from. And it seems almost like a military style thing rather than you know like just you know the million man march where it's just we're just gonna go and we're just going to walk. We're not gonna smash anything, we're not gonna interrupt, we're just going to walk. We're not gonna scream, we're not gonna holler. We're not gonna point the fingers. We're just gonna walk. Like I mean if you listen to a lot of his speeches and go through that, I mean ahead of his time, ahead of his time at the right time. But ahead of his time and I think people if people took that from the way he did it and applied it to anything else, I think you can have a different type of conversation. Lisa McGrath: Yeah. A hundred percent. Take a page out of Martin Luther King. Michael: Absolutely. Absolutely. Lisa McGrath: So there's some really great, and this is where I I look, I look to people and say, like when I had said, you know, people, there's always gonna be someone that stands up, you know, and he's a perfect example of that. you know, Malcolm X is a perfect example of that. there are a lot of people throughout history in in in many countries, Gandhi, right? Like that will just protest in their own way. That's basically saying, I don't accept this. I want to see change. I want to see difference, but I'm not going to fight you for it. I'm going to make Michael: There's a there's a difference between change and radical change. Lisa McGrath: Yes. Agreed. So Michael: Right? Change requires actual change in people. Whereas if you say like radically, like we're going through it now, where you can and can say can and can't say certain things, even if it's your opinion. Lisa McGrath: Yeah. Yeah. Michael: That to me is ridiculous. Because how you can't have a conversation if you restrict one side, either way, their speech. Lisa McGrath: Yeah, tie yeah, you can't you can't tie hands. Michael: Yeah, right. And then 'cause then it's not it's not a fair it's not a fair fight. It's not and I I don't even think fight's the right word. It's not it's not a fair Lisa McGrath: Fair debate. Michael: scenario in which people can actually come to the table openly if you say, can't say that, can't say that, can't say that you're Lisa McGrath: Yeah. It's not a debate. Yeah. Michael: like, well then what can I say? Only what I allow you to. Lisa McGrath: Yeah, boss in. Michael: Right. And that's why I say I'm grateful for the fact that we can have these conversations because I'm not I'm not sure if down the road these conversations will be allowed to be had. Lisa McGrath: And you and I have conversations off camera that I would love to be able to post because I know we're not the only ones Michael: But you can't. Yeah. Lisa McGrath: that think that way. And we have we each have our own take on on how it looks, but it it would be, it would, it would cause so much uproar. And and that's I think that's where I kind of like there's a part of me that it kind of hurts my heart because I'm like, these

are discussions that everybody should be having, they're just conversations. They're opinion-based conversations based on the information that is available to us and and how we see it. But because it could be infringing or a a difference of opinion on a minority group or a religion or a culture, all of a sudden it's like, can't touch it. Can't touch it. And I'm like, well, wait a minute. I'm not calling them out. I'm not saying they can't do that. I'm saying, what about everybody? Right. You're saying, what about these people? Like there's different perspectives on every aspect. And so when I sit there and I think about it, I'm like, this isn't fair. We're we're part of a s you know, like we're not the only ones that fucking think this way, Michael. Michael: Why will I say something that's a little dicey in this episode? Lisa McGrath: Careful. Michael: I'll be be as careful as I can. Lisa McGrath: Ha ha. Michael: but it because you brought it up, right? You're saying something against a minority group. So if you can't say something against a minority group, why are you allowed to say something against a majority group? Lisa McGrath: That's a good point. Michael: In a negative connotation, right? If you're being negative, what? Because they're majority, they can take it. That's an unfair Lisa McGrath: That's a good point. Michael: statement, right? Like you hear it all the time, you can't be racist against white people. Right? Of course Lisa McGrath: You can be super racist against white people. Michael: you can. You can be racist against anybody, and it's all wrong. Right? It's the content of your character. That's it. And you can talk statistics, sure, that's fine, because it's factual, it's not emotional. Even though emotions get tied into it. Lisa McGrath: I think it also depends on your personality. I think it depends a lot on your personality, on what you identify as prejudice. Because for me, like growing up as mixed, I would get all kinds of people would call me like coconut. I still get called coconut, right? White on the inside, dark on the outside. Right. Michael: It's a funny one. Lisa McGrath: I get called an Oreo. I get called, and it doesn't like I'm not like, my God. How dare you, that's racist. I'm like, what's up, white bread? Crack a laka. Michael: Right. Speaking of Oreos, by the way, quick sidebar, I bought Oreo regulars and Oreo Lisa McGrath: Mm-hmm. Michael: double stacked and I opened up the package. They were exactly the same amount of icing. So Oreo, I got a problem with you. Lisa McGrath: Fuck you, Oreo Makers. Michael: See, so I hate the black and the white. No, I'm just kidding. Lisa McGrath: We were both equal. It didn't matter. Is double stuff like a like an analogy for white privilege? Michael: Right. Yeah. But it but it is but I just I right. Yeah, I wanted more w I wanted more white in my god. god. Wow. No, cause technically it'd be even, it'd be fifty fifty, right? Double stack, double stack, right? Okay. Just leveling the plane. But it is Lisa McGrath: Have you seen sidebar on this one? Have you seen there is a guy in the states? He's got a great big lifted white truck, and it says white privilege, and it is a black man that drives it. And I'm like, I fucking hands off to this man. I'm like hats off. Michael: that's fucking hilarious. That is awesome. Lisa McGrath: I was like, this is because everybody was losing their shit. And you know what? It's one of those. He's the kind of guy that reminds me of a lot of my a lot of my male friends, including you, shock value. All about shock Michael: Right. Lisa McGrath: value. And You know, everyone's looking at this truck pull up, it has big grill that says white privilege, and they're all like, Look at this fucking guy. And it's all the white people that are losing their fucking minds. And then it's a black guy that gets out and I'm like, Sir, let me shake your fucking hand. Michael: Yeah. There is something about like breaking breaking that shock, you know, like it just and I I get worried about the laws when they're written in the way that you that you're saying, right? And they are written in this way, right? For for minorities and this, that, and the other. And and you know, and and certain religions aren't allowed to be questioned or religions should be questions. All religions should be questions. That's why they have theologians, they have people who are scholars on it, because they question it. Right. So if they question inside of their own religion from an outside of a religious point, you should be allowed to question it. You should be able to say, I don't like this, I don't like this about a religion. Because it's not a person. It's not a person, it's a religion. You can you should be able to question laws. You should be able to question religious statements. You should be able to question the culture of another country. You should be able to question Lisa McGrath: Okay, I have a question. Michael: all these things from a place of open dialogue. Lisa McGrath: I will question. So I grew up, Agnostic. My mom w my mom's grew up evangelical. My dad grew up, I think, with bits and pieces of Hindu in in his Caribbean culture, because a lot of them are celebrate Hindu aspects. but I didn't my brothers and I did not were not raised with anything. We were told to decide for ourselves. And I ended up going to Catholic school. I graduated from Catholic school. Never a fan of Catholicism. I I my fucking teachers hated me. I'm not gonna lie. There I was a problem. I was a problem, Michael. And so, but regardless, I have always chosen to wear a cross. I have a cross in my car. I I wear a cross. My son wears a cross. So you'll see, like, I wear the cross. And people automatically think I'm Christian. And I'm like, no, crosses are my talisman. I don't, I'm like, here I'm like, to be really honest with you, I'm like, I have pentagrams. tattooed on my feet because pentagrams are more representative of how I feel

and the more of the symbol that I like the most. Because if we're gonna talk about Christianity, okay, the cross is very symbolic for Jesus. But if you're actually, if you actually did the research, the pentagram is the five points of entry on Jesus Christ, feet, hands, head, because he had the the thorns, right? So it's actually a lot more Christian than than the cross, but I always find it interesting. Michael: Wouldn't I I wouldn't know, but I think that got I think some people might disagree with that, which is also okay. Lisa McGrath: they're gonna have totally have a fucking problem with it. Don't even pretend. But if if you are if you are someone who is into the witchy side of things and you don't hail to the devil and you don't hail to all the negative that people fucking cast upon you, then they'll be like, Yes, she's right. Yes, she knows what she's talking about. Yes, because I've done the research on it. To me, a pentagram is not something that is demonic or satanic. It is something that is very much, it is a symbol. And to me, symbols mean different things. So for me, my symbol that I wear that I put in my vehicle is a cross. And my son wears a cross. We are not Christian or Catholic of any sort. We are non-denominational. We are spiritual. We are, you know, people who believe that there's a higher power. you know, all those things. But I I always find it interesting that when people see that symbol. And this is something I'm I'm gonna show you where I'm going with this. When people see that symbol, they automatically assume. well, do you want this? Or can we offer you this, you know, on on this side of Christianity or on this side of Catholicism? And I'm like, no, I'm neither. Will you wear a cross? And cross is my talisman, cross is a symbol I've selected to make that is important to me. I have a cross on my back, tattooed on my back, as well as the pentagrams. So then people, you know, some people be you can't do that, blah, blah, blah. It people will say it's confusing, Michael: see that as confusing, but yeah. Right. Lisa McGrath: but it's not about you and your ideals. It's about Michael: No, no son. No. Lisa McGrath: me and my ideals. So it's actually a sword. So you've seen the tattoo in my back, right? The the mermaid. So here's what's here's even here's even more what's even more fun about this. The mermaid is a depiction of Yemaya, which is from Aruba, which is from Africa. She is a goddess that is a protector of women and children in the sea. Okay. So that's one. Two, she's holding a sword that is like a cross. It's like holding a cross. actually, she's holding the cross. It almost looks like stone. So people would identify that as Catholic Christian. And then there is symbols of my children, they're they're what do you call them zodiac symbols so there's so much there's so much like a melange of all kinds of things that people will be like well that's complete contradiction and I'm like to you it is to Michael: Yeah. Lisa McGrath: me it's not to me it is my symbol it is I am the protector of women and children because those are I have children and I'm a woman and then also it has the the identity the like it represents my children. Yeah screw man Michael: Yes, screw men. Screw men. Lisa McGrath: but You know, I mean, and then like my dad, like on his side, they're Hindu, right? So like that one is that one's Ganesh. On my wrist, it's Ganesh made out of the tribal leaves. And actually a lot of Hindus are really impressed with it, even though I've never studied Hinduism and never I don't know anything about it really. But they're like, my god, how did you find it? Like in the tribal leaves. They're like, that's like that's deep. And I'm like, if I'm being honest, I just found it and I liked it. It was different. Michael: You're like I it's pretty. Yeah. Lisa McGrath: I've seen Ganesh like tattoos, Ganesha tattoos, and I'm like, I don't like it. I wanted something feminine and I wanted something really symbolic. So it was made out of the tribal leaves, which is and looks you know it's a Ganesh tattoo, but that was symbolic for my dad. It's on the right side of my body, which is masculine, so it's for my dad. And then on the left side, I've got like, you know, Canadian pride. I always tell people, they're like, Why'd you get a maple leaf? And I'm like, so they know where to send the body back. Send it back to Canada. Anyways, my point is weaponizing symbols or having symbols mean generalizing what they mean. So right now in Alberta, because we're talking about it, Alberta. right now everyone who sees a a a flag. So I find it interesting because in when when there's people in the separatist area that are talking a lot about how like these meetings have the Alberta flag everywhere. And they've kind of weaponized it a little bit. So now Albertans, every time you see an Alberta flag, they get their fucking panties in a twist and they're like, I'm here we fucking go. But a lot of times it's not. There's people and there's companies that were formulated in Alberta that are proud to be Albertan and Canadian. And so I try to say to people: don't automatically assume that someone waving the Alberta flag is a separatist. Because the Alberta flag belongs to a Canadian province. So for being honest, would it not make sense? And I'm just asking you, Michael. I'm gonna ask you for your opinion on this because it is an opinion aspect. And my opinion is if you Are waving the Alberta flag. Technically, if Alberta was to separate, you need a whole new fucking flag because that is identified under the prov under the province of Alberta, not the country of Alberta, the province. So would you not need to get your own flag at that point? Michael: I mean, Alberta wouldn't exist anymore, so why couldn't you just adopt the flag and keep it? I dunno I don't know. Lisa McGrath: But when they're but like in my brain I'm like, so you're just you're gonna use what put what what was part of pr

a provincial aspect inside of a country of Canada when you're trying to secede from them? Like what like get your own flag kind of thing is my brain. Michael: I'd have to look at where the formulation of that flag came from. Like what were Lisa McGrath: Yeah. Michael: the parts that made it up like individually? Like where did where did Lisa McGrath: I have Michael: every element of that flag come from? was it rooted in Alberta? Was it rooted in upper or lower Canada? Right? Was it rooted in, you know, like different merchant classes? Where did where did it come from? And did it exist before Canada, which is also entirely possible? I don't know. Lisa McGrath: So features provincial shield of the Alberta coat of arms centered on Royal Ultramarine Blue Bround, officially adopted on June first, nineteen sixty eight. The design tells a visual story of the province geographic history and resources. Michael: Well then I think you would just keep it. I mean, if it's their geography and resources, then okay. That's if it's still Lisa McGrath: Mm. Michael: what Alberta is. Lisa McGrath: Yeah, but again it's like I l Michael: It's like it's like when you see like h anywhere basically in Canada, if you see a a lifted truck with a hockey stick and a Canadian flag hanging off, what's the first thing you think of? Lisa McGrath: So the shield in the center, originally granted by Royal Warranted in Royal Warrant in 1907, breaks down into distinct geographical and historical elements. So Red Cross on the background honors the historical ties and early influences of the Hudson Bay, which was once held the rights over the territory as well as British heritage. Michael: Sure. Lisa McGrath: Depicts the bright blue sky above, the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains, represents lush green, transitional foothills rolling down the mountains and showcases the flat grass prairie and cultivated golden wheat signifying Alberta's rich agriculture, foundation, and and economy. So there are as yes, there are elements about the province itself, but again, it's rooted in the provincial aspect and also has. identified ca areas of when we were under British rule and identifying it as a province versus a country. So that's just kind of my thing. It's just an opinion. Michael: I mean, I think the provincial flags are definitely separate from the Canadian flag. Lisa McGrath: Mm. Michael: Right? So and and if somebody's really either fighting to stay or fighting to leave Canada, it doesn't change the fact that Alberta is still a unique province of its own. Right? I mean, we've compared difference between Ontario and Alberta, even some of the other provinces. Right, as to how we live, how we work, right? They you know, the landscape, the culture, right? It is different. It is different, and I think just rep having that flag up, whether you're for separation or not for separation, it you're still gonna identify as an Albertan. Lisa McGrath: Yeah, that's fair. I'm just kind of in the

headspace of like get your own sandwich. I don't know. Michael: Yeah. Lisa McGrath: Like you got in my y I made him speechless. Michael: Doesn't doesn't doesn't doesn't sound liberal at all. Like how how dare you utilize my speech and your speech? And and I say liberal because we've been under liberal rule for a very long time, especially at the federal level. And that's where a lot of these laws are coming from. And I I have serious concerns about that. It's not get your own. They live there. They're your fellow Albertans, and they have every right to celebrate Alberta, whether that's a separation or not. Lisa McGrath: Talking about, yeah. But what I'm saying is you're weaponizing a flag right now. So everybody a lot of people that are seeing that flag are automatically irritated. And that's not fair because Alberta is still its own province. Alberta is still is still somewhere important and it's still part of Canada. So when people take symbols and weaponize them, Michael: Well the nineteenth will let you know whether or not that's the case. Lisa McGrath: sorry, go ahead. Michael: The nineteenth will let you know whether or not that's the case. Lisa McGrath: I understand that. I'm just saying that in my brain it it just makes sense that if I'm gonna start if I'm gonna take something and make it my own, I'm gonna make it my own versus taking something and just playing off somebody else's design. Michael: I think I think that's the difference between what you're seeing, and I I think a lot of the separatists that I mean ones that I've talked to anyways, is their their belief is so deep in Alberta Lisa McGrath: Mm-hmm. Michael: that that flag has more value than the Canadian flag because they're not connected to Canada. They feel disconnected to Canada, that the Canadian flag doesn't have the value that it used to, and they want the Albertan flag, Albert flag because they want to keep Alberta the way Alberta is. Have some more autonomy, have some more choices. And I I we talked about this on another episode, I think it was a few weeks back, where it was I I believe that the federal government is grossly overreaching its responsibility and what it should be doing as the federal government into the provinces. And I think it because you have too few people making decisions, Canada-wide, that has different cultures, different beliefs, different working systems, everything else, that they're just it's not really a vote. It's like edicts. It's like, you know, like it would be no different than Trump signing an executive order, right? Thank God we don't have executive orders in Canada. Right? Like Lisa McGrath: Yeah. Yeah, agreed. Michael: just having that ability, and I think Alberta drawing a line in the sand, whether they leave or they don't, should have a direct effect to the federal government as to gross overreach. Lisa McGrath: That's fair. I we all have our own opinions. I'm not gonna get into another political debate with you. Michael: No, I I just I just that's where that's why I see the flag being the way the flag is, whether you're staying or going. Right. Lisa McGrath: Yeah, I get it. But I get it. I I I can appreciate, yeah. I can appreciate where your opinion is on that and where other people's opinions are. but it doesn't mean I have to agree with them, right? And that's what it's all about is that you can Michael: No, no. Lisa McGrath: have your own opinion but still respect the other people. It's I it's when they start getting ugly towards each other, is where I get grumpy with things, right? So Michael: I agree. Yeah. Lisa McGrath: it is what it is. But anyways, we are at time. happy Michael: We have time. Lisa McGrath: Thanksgiving, everybody. Have an amazing October and I hope you were grateful for all the wonderful things and the simple things in life. Anything you got, Michael? Michael: Get out and vote. Get out and vote because Lisa McGrath: Own bone. Michael: it is five days from from today. So Lisa McGrath: Great. Michael: get get out and vote. Do your stuff because the thing is, I I I mean, I'm looking forward to see how it works out, regardless of what it is. And that's and hopefully people have conversations with each other, real conversations without anger, and be grateful for the other people that you live with and you're around in your community. Lisa McGrath: Agreed. Thank you for saying that. I appreciate that. We'll catch you guys all on the flip side and don't do anything crazy.