Talk of western separation 鈥� or Wexit, as some are calling it 鈥� is percolating a day after voters returned the federal Liberals to power but with a minority government.

The Liberals managed to hang onto seats in Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada and British Columbia, but Alberta and Saskatchewan are Conservative blue except for one NDP riding in Edmonton.

The VoteWexit Facebook page with its motto 鈥漈he West Wants Out鈥� has more than 142,000 members and counting.

And an online petition calling for a western alliance and Alberta to separate has been backed by nearly 26,000 people so far.

Grant Fagerheim, CEO of oil company Whitecap Resources Inc., says Alberta and Saskatchewan鈥檚 contributions to the Canadian economy have not been respected.

He says he鈥檚 not surprised there has been talk of western separatism, but whether that amounts to anything is another matter.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 believe at this particular time, whether you live in Saskatchewan or Alberta, that people would say they鈥檙e Canadian first at this time.鈥�

Fagerheim said historically he鈥檚 been a federalist, but 鈥淚 can鈥檛 say I鈥檓 a proud Canadian at this particular time.鈥�

The Canadian Press

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