The is a political party in
Canada founded in 2005 by
Doug Christie . The party became officially registered on
December 29 ,
2005 .
The aim of the party is to promote the independence of
Western Canada (i.e., the provinces of
British Columbia ,
Alberta ,
Saskatchewan and
Manitoba ) from the rest of Canada.
The party's founding convention was held on November 20, 2005, in Sidney, BC. Christie was unanimously confirmed as leader. A constitution was adopted and a full slate of officers was elected.
Western independence movements typically attract support from westerners who believe that western Canada does not get a fair deal within the Canadian confederation. The Western Block Party claim attracts members of differing economic views who are opposed to what they view as a corrupt federal government.
The party had four candidates in the
2006 Federal Election . Its leader, Doug Christie, ran in the
Riding of
Esquimalt—Juan De Fuca in
British Columbia . None were elected.
Christie is also the leader of the
Western Canada Concept Party Of British Columbia , a political party that promotes separation at the provincial political level in
British Columbia .
Christie is a lawyer in Canada who is well-known for representing
Ernst Zündel , among others. The WCC and WBP are not affiliated with the
Separation Party Of Alberta or the
Western Independence Party Of Saskatchewan . Officials in these parties have distanced themselves from Christie - for example, they do not include links to the WCC or WBP on their websites even though the SPA and WIPS do link to one another. The WIPS is currently attempting to establish a separate federal party, to be called the
Western Canada Party .
In the 2006 election, the party ran four candidates, received 1,094 votes, which is 0.0074% of the total votes cast, or 0.46% of the votes in those four electoral districts. The four candidates, their total votes, and percentages were:
- Robert Peter Kratchmer (Vegreville-Wainwright) 433 (0.8%)
- Douglas Christie (Esquimalt/Juan de Fuca) 270 (0.5%)
- Patricia O'Brien (Saanich Gulf Islands) 183 (0.3%)
- Bruce Burnett (Victoria) 208 (0.3%)
