Alberta separatist billboard remains up after town's removal deadline

An Alberta separatist has refused to remove a prominent billboard advocating for the province's separation from Canada, even after a deadline set by the town of Taber passed. Cory Morgan, the individual behind the sign, has stated he will not be intimidated and has even commissioned additional signs in the community.

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I have got nothing against Taber itself. There’s fantastic people (there). It’s a neat area... It’s just their town administration I got a bit of a beef with right now.

The electronic billboard, measuring three meters tall and six meters wide, is situated on town land and displays the Alberta shield surrounded by the words: “Send Ottawa a Message! Choose Alberta.” Morgan claims he paid approximately $1,100 for its month-long display and views the town's demand for its removal as an infringement on free speech.

Morgan expressed that his dispute is not with the residents of Taber but with the town's administration. He believes the local government should focus on essential services like road maintenance and waste collection, rather than dictating what messages can be displayed on legal advertising spaces. The town, in a social media post, has stated the billboard's message does not represent the community and has cited multiple resident concerns.

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That’s a troublesome precedent. (Taber) should stick to potholes, picking up garbage and catching dogs. It’s not their job to tell people what they’re allowed to see or not allowed see on a legal billboard.

The Town of Taber's chief administrative officer, Derrin Thibault, sent a letter to the billboard operator, deeming the advertisement a "nuisance" and inconsistent with the "permitted use of the licensed area." The sign's presence is tied to an upcoming referendum on Alberta's potential secession from Canada, scheduled for October 19. Morgan chose Taber due to available billboard space and affordable pricing, not anticipating the significant attention the sign would generate.

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The Town has received multiple concerns regarding political content currently being displayed on the digital sign. The continued display of the subject advertisement constitutes a nuisance and is inconsistent with the permitted use of the licensed area.