SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LOSE A YEAR OF HOCKEY

The West's separatist warning (Cathy Gulli National Post, August 9th, 2005)

More than one-third of Westerners younger than 30 think their provinces should consider quitting Canada, showing the strongest support for sovereignty among all ages, a recent poll reveals.

Fully 36.4% of people between 18 and 29 in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba agree "Western Canadians should begin to explore the idea of forming their own country."

The sentiment is not exclusive to youth.

Across all age groups, 35.6% of Westerners favour debating sovereignty.

Albertans lead with 41.9% support, compared to 31.9% in Saskatchewan, 30.8% in British Columbia, and 27.5% in Manitoba.[...]

The Western Canada Concept Party registered with Elections Canada 25 years ago with a platform calling for separation of the four Western provinces, but never came close to electing an MP.

Neither have the Separation Party of Alberta or the Western Independence Party of Saskatchewan managed to win more than marginal popular votes in recent years.

No one would stop them, but it would be a miracle if these four provinces could agree on what they want and with whom.