Dallas Pagenkopf stood at the front of the bus, looking over passengers dressed in deep-blue ball caps, hoodies and T-shirts.
asserted
Pagenkopf → stand → caps
More than a dozen provincial flags were neatly stacked below deck, next to Mr. Pagenkopf’s trolly cart stuffed with Alberta-themed car flags, caps and shirts.
asserted
flags → stack → flags
Dressed in denim and a leather vest, the 36-year-old took up a microphone and ran through the day’s itinerary.
asserted
old → dress → itinerary
“Oh, and last minute,” he said.
asserted
he → say → ?
“I’m selling some shirts and hats ...
asserted
I → sell → shirts
I’ve got a bunch of different things.
asserted
I → get → things
If you haven’t seen it, come grab me.
asserted
you → see → me
“It’s gonna be a great day.”
asserted
It → go → ?
With that, the bus left the Home Depot parking lot in Airdrie, Alta., beginning the pilgrimage to Edmonton, where faithful Alberta separatists gathered for a final rally ahead of Monday’s referendum.
asserted
separatists → leave → referendum
The bus was one of 11 ferrying people to the provincial capital for the Saturday afternoon rally organized by Let Alberta Decide, a pro-independence group created by lawyer Keith Wilson and rancher Tanya Clemens.
asserted
bus → ferry → Wilson
Alberta Sheriffs estimated roughly 1,100 people gathered at the foot of the Alberta Legislature, capping more than a year of efforts by separatists to galvanize support for independence through a province-wide petition and at multiple town halls.
asserted
people → estimate → halls
For the first time in the province’s history, Albertans will put secession to a vote on Monday – in this case, whether they wish to remain in Canada or have a second, binding separation referendum.
asserted
they → put → referendum
More than a million residents have so far voted by mail or at advance polls.
asserted
residents → vote → polls
Prime Minister Mark Carney campaigned in Calgary and Edmonton this week, packing convention centres in both cities as he urged people to vote to remain in Canada.
asserted
he → campaign → Canada
Several prominent separatists were on hand for Saturday’s rally, including Mr. Wilson, who spearheaded Let Alberta Decide’s campaign and raised $581,000 for the cause.
asserted
who → include → cause
Mitch Sylvestre and Jeffrey Rath, both with the Alberta Prosperity Project, attended the rally but weren’t part of the formal program.
asserted
Sylvestre → attend → program
Separatists are not expected to prevail in Monday’s vote.
asserted
Separatists → expect → vote
Public-opinion polls have shown that support for separation has remained largely unmoved over the campaign, and sits between 20 and 30 per cent.
asserted
support → show → campaign
Mr. Wilson said Saturday that regardless of the result, the separatist movement is here to stay.
“We’re going to get stronger.
asserted
We → say → result
We’re going to get smarter.
asserted
We → go → ?
We’re going to get more clear,” he said.
asserted
he → go → ?
He was joined by long-time separatist and columnist Corey Morgan, who similarly suggested that the movement has planted itself in Alberta, even if federalists prevail.
uncertain
federalists → join → Alberta
“It takes growing a movement to make something that lasts, and it’s here now,” Mr. Morgan said.
asserted
Morgan → take → something
Aboard the bus to Edmonton, some supporters exhibited full-throated optimism going into Monday.
asserted
supporters → exhibit → Monday
Debbie Mayhew sat in the back of the bus with her husband, Keith Brownlee.
asserted
Mayhew → sit → husband
She said she’s seen polling online that shows 71-per-cent support for independence.
asserted
that → say → independence
“I feel positive,” she said.
asserted
she → feel → ?
The retired couple moved to Calgary four years ago; they spend half the year in Alberta and the winter in California.
Ms. Mayhew wanted to get away from the Ontario humidity, but said politics pulled her and Mr. Brownlee to Alberta.
“Danielle Smith sounded like a promise,” she said.
asserted
she → move → promise
Her feelings toward the Premier have changed.
asserted
feelings → change → Premier
Ms. Mayhew, a United Conservative Party member, thinks Ms. Smith, who supports Alberta remaining in Canada, should not have picked a side.
asserted
Alberta → think → side
Despite her displeasure, she doesn’t think the Premier should lose her job.
asserted
Premier → think → job
Ms. Mayhew said she appreciates Mr. Wilson’s temperament.
asserted
she → say → temperament
She thinks Mr. Sylvestre, chief executive of the Alberta Prosperity Project, is a straight-shooter and would trust him to lead an independent Alberta.
asserted
Sylvestre → think → Alberta
Most people she talks to agree.
asserted
she → talk → ?
“You never heard that?” she asked over the din of chatter.
asserted
she → hear → chatter
A few rows up, Paul Bauman kicked his legs up on the empty seat next to him.
asserted
Bauman → kick → him
He wore a shiny blue sweater with an Alberta flag across the front.
asserted
He → wear → front
He bought it on Amazon.
asserted
He → buy → Amazon
He thinks Mr. Wilson should be premier.
asserted
Wilson → think → ?
I bought my ticket so I can put Danielle out.”
asserted
I → buy → Danielle
The Aporia
