Alberta is ditching another reference to its provincial flower in favour of its official motto.
The government says new highway “Welcome to Alberta” signs going up across the province this fall will say “Strong and Free,” rather than the long-standing “Wild Rose Country.”
It follows the government’s decision last year that made the same slogan swap on Alberta licence plates.
Premier Danielle Smith has been criticized for the move, with the Opposition NDP questioning Smith’s motive since her United
Conservative Party has also used “Strong and Free” in promotional and campaign material.
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Smith has defended the change, saying it’s simply the province’s official motto and a lyric in the Canadian anthem.
The government says it will start replacing the nearly two dozen highway welcome signs this fall.
It says many of the existing wooden signs are close to 40 years old, and years of weather exposure means its time for new ones.
The province says replacing the 22 signs is to cost about $3.5 million.
How about “Broke and Pissed Off”
Maybe we could have had a referendum on this. I live in Alberta and would prefer to keep ” Wild rose country ” on our license plates and signs.
Times change people. Nothing new about “Strong and Free”. Has been on our coat of arms for close to 50 years. It’s in our national anthem. Has a nice ring to it.
Smith should get a forehead tatto that say ….
Oh, please no.
What a terrible idea.
Just like the licence plates nobody wants. Maybe spend the 3.5 million on schools and health care?!?
Do you guys ruin everything you touch? I don’t cross the border on your issues per say…but STRONG AND FREE? How corny can you get?
Wildrose was way better…even for you guys. Somebody do something….you guys are going way off the rez now!
SINCE ITS INCEPTION, ALBERTA’S WILD ROSE HAS BEEN AN EMBLEM OF EXACTLY WHAT THE QUEEN OF TART IS SAYING.
STRONG.
ALBERTA’S WILD ROSE, IS A BOUNTIFUL EMBLEM OF MAJESTY. IT CAN WITHSTAND THE WORST.
Wild rose country is so much more beautiful and meaningful. What does “strong and free” say about a province that wants to separate? Freedom is an illusion. How childish.
That’s a JOKE!!
UPC Separatist brainwashing everywhere. Bad enough they have infiltrated the school system with this sentiment. Now we are pushing out on Provincial signage. Next will be billboards. Our hard earned tax dollars at work. If you don’t like Canada then leave.
Well that’s exactly the cost Alberta’s rapid response firefighting helicopters had before Smith FIRED them.
Enjoy this year’s Smith wildfires folks.
Shows there’s democracy in Alberta.
No vote was taken and they announce it had.
Smith loves trump as both are fans of authoritarism even though Smith told Wild Rosers years ago that she’s a Libertarian like them
What a liar.
The new signs will be made by Sam Mriache Sign Co.
A low price of 3.5mil in exchange for some skybox tix next season.
She stabbed the Wild Rose in the back.
Like she is doing to Canada if she can.
How did she give us such a huge deficit this year?
Might as well. The slogan doesnt apply to Canada anymore.
I wonder if anyone told Smith and the UCP that “strong and free’ is Canada’s motto. They have to chose one that is different. Wild Rose Country was different…
The end is near.
Smith is a great Premier. The progressives here would vote for Mr. Nenshi who was a bust as the Calgary mayor.
The original signs were old and weathered. They need replacing regardless
She spends taxes on the goofiest things.
Could we put this on the ballot instead? What a waste of tax payer dollars!!
We are not free we have that b…h D Smith as our premier!!! Please get rid of her and UCP immediately
A ridiculous waste of money!
Two more Smith cabinet members just said they are quitting.
The Finance Minister just ran a 10 billion deficit.
The Hospital guy? bwahahahaha…what hospitals?
Smith stabbed Wild Rosers in the back like everyone else.
Surprised the new signs aren’t of her.
Another perfect example of wasting tax payers money.
Stupid!
We should wait until we are before changing the signs.
Glad money is being well spent on such an important program that impact people ability to…..
Sorry, what was the point?