Editor's Corner

Canadian vote shows breaking up is hard to do

 Separation anxiety was mightily apparent during a vote in Canada last month. Oil-laden Alberta, which appears more conservative in its values than the rest of the country that proudly waves the maple leaf flag, will not be on its own anytime soon.

A referendum that would have created a path toward a future election and led to possible independence for the province was defeated by a 75% to 25% margin that included more than 1.9 million votes. It is an impressive showing when considering that 5.1 million reside there.

Despite the deflating result, naysayers are not ready to give up the fight. “We’re not going anywhere,” said Jeff Rath of the Alberta Prosperity Project, the Associated Press reported. “We’ve dominated the conversation in the last year. We’ve been educating Albertans on the benefits of independence, and we’re going to continue moving forward.”

It has been a rough couple of years for our neighbors to the north. Not only is animosity brewing from within, U.S. President Donald Trump ruffled feathers by threatening to make the nation our 51st state. He then began a trade war that has harmed relations between the border nations who were once seen as being best of friends.

Retaliation, however, has been swift and painful. Many from the North are choosing to travel elsewhere, impacting tourism in parts of Western New York that include Chautauqua Institution. They're also being more global, looking to expand and grow economic partnerships with European countries.

In Canada, when the relations with the U.S. became precarious, leadership looked across the Atlantic Ocean. They kept their options open.

That brings us to the major rift within New York: upstate and downstate.

This week's election proved again that portions of rural, red-leaning regions still have very little clout in an entity that is dominated by New York City and metropolitan counties that include Erie, Monroe, Onondaga and Albany. Through an Assembly and Senate that leans far left, policies that are driven by those living downstate continue to hamper our way of life.

Flawed and ceremoniously shellacked candidate Bruce Blakeman was supposed to offer an alternative to the current leadership. Problem is, voters in Nassau County -- where he serves as the executive -- were even less enthusiastic with his campaign as Gov. Kathy Hochul corralled more votes in his home territory.

There seems to be resentment when it comes to how some upstaters view New York City and Long Island. Compared to Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, downstate always seems to be a thriving engine.

Take away the Big Apple's fiscal follies that led to Hochul's more than $1 billion bailout of its government and there's a visible mystique. Freeways are humming. Downtowns are vibrant, full of energy and filled with plenty of foot traffic.

Closer to home, business districts are consistently in flux or desolate. Traffic is slow in the summer and almost non-existent during winter months. That's not an indictment on the shops, just a reality that comes with the climate.

Sometimes those frustrations bring, like in Alberta, the call for separation. A possible 51st state that does not include New York City. It lets upstate stand on its own.

Sounds simple, but Chautauqua County -- and much of upstate -- is far from being rightsized, which creates a number of risks with the plan. Profuse public-sector positions in government and schools need tax dollars to operate and offer generous wages and benefits. Most of that capital -- look at area downtowns alone -- comes from downstate.

Right now, according to 2026 statistics on seethroughny.net, there are 7,744 employees in the public sector of Chautauqua County earning a combined $420.7 million -- all raised through tax dollars. With 124,000 residents, that equates to a cost of $3,393 per resident. That does not even account for health or pension benefits.

Without the downstate economy, there is a significant financial strain on a population not connected to the world's financial capital in Manhattan.

If we think Albany's mandates are punitive now, without the Wall Street wealth tied to income taxes, this region's fiscal state would be even worse than it is right now. That's downright frightening considering Dunkirk's millions-of-dollars mess and Jamestown's annual teetering.

Chautauqua County government is not far behind. Its blatant overspending habits that include annual exorbitant pay increases to its workforce will catch up with them -- and be passed on to taxpayers.

All told, there are 500 positions locally elected. These individuals take an oath to be responsible and accountable to constituents.

Hearing these officials complain about unfair state mandates is a cop-out. If that's all they can do, they need to resign -- or push for succession. Alberta at least showed some moxie in considering seceding from Canada.

The best we do around here is blame Albany, downstate or shrug our shoulders. It is an unfortunate response that reveals a lack of courage and vision from too many leaders.

John D'Agostino is editor of The Post-Journal, OBSERVER and Times Observer in Warren, Pa. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 716-487-1111, ext. 253.