Racist remark at Alberta Prosperity Project event leads to member's immediate resignation
Ian Parkinson used a racial slur while presenting a draft independence constitution in Airdrie, prompting the pro-separation group's leader to accept his resignation.
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A member of the Alberta Prosperity Project resigned immediately after using a racial slur at a Thursday event in Airdrie where the prominent pro-separation group presented a draft constitution for an independent Alberta.
Ian Parkinson, who had been introduced as a co-writer of the proposed "Foundation of Freedom" document, made the derogatory remark—typically directed at Sikh, Muslim, or Arab individuals in reference to religious or cultural headdresses—while speaking to an audience. Parkinson is associated with the Black Hat Gang, a group from Medicine Hat credited with contributing to the independence plan.
Mitch Sylvestre, leader of the Alberta Prosperity Project, said he accepted Parkinson's resignation effective immediately and that Parkinson will not participate in, speak at, or represent the group's events or initiatives. "I want to be plain about it. The Alberta Prosperity Project does not condone or tolerate what was said. We strongly oppose those comments, and we are disappointed they were made from a platform we provided," Sylvestre stated. Parkinson was not a board member or officer of the Alberta Prosperity Project.
Sylvestre said he was backstage when the comment was made and did not hear it directly. "That was very, very unfortunate," he said. "Had I heard that, I would have dealt with it right there on the spot."
The remark drew swift criticism from within separatist circles. Keith Wilson, co-leader of the pro-independence group Let Alberta Decide, said the comment was troubling because it paints the broader separatist movement with a broad brush. "When you get someone, like happened last night, from some subgroup called the Black Hats making ridiculous, racist and inappropriate comments, that it taints the whole movement," Wilson said. "And that's why it's upsetting and troubling because it doesn't reflect the values of the Albertans I know that support independence from all walks of life."
The Black Hat Gang met with senior government officials and proposed a new draft document of Albertans' rights in 2024. Reporters reached out to Parkinson for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.
