There are aspects of Canadian democracy that baffle outsiders. Independence referenda probably top the list.

Twice residents of Quebec have been asked whether they want the province to become an independent country. Twice the voters have chosen to stay, through in 1995 it was a pretty narrow margin.

Next month voters in Alberta will go to the polls to weigh in on independence for that province. Except, this being Canada, they aren’t being asked whether to vote on independence.

This referendum is about whether the province should have a referendum on independence. It is a very Canadian approach to things. We like to talk about the issues. We embrace ambiguity.

Some people in Alberta think that the province would be better off on its own. Poll numbers suggest that might be as high as 24 per cent.

Which is certainly not enough to carry the day. So why hold a referendum that is a foregone conclusion? Politics.

The Canadian federation has been a balancing act from the beginning. Some region or province always has a grievance against Ottawa.

Canada became an independent nation in 1867. The first attempt to democratically end the confederation came in 1868.

(Joseph Howe, who lead the anti-confederation movement reacted to its defeat in typical Canadian fashion. He refused the option of a unilateral succession, or of joining the United States. instead, he accepted a cabinet post in Ottawa to better advocate for his province as part of Canada.)

Separatist movements are usually used to bring grievances to light for a province or region, and to carve out a better deal with Ottawa. Western separatism, and Alberta separatism, have been around for decades, though this is the first time things have come to a vote.

That vote itself is more a reflection on internal divisions within Alberta’s UCP party than any real desire to go it alone. By holding a vote on whether to have a vote, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith appeases those in her caucus who are upset with the federal government.

I am sure it must seem confusing to outsiders. I don’t know how many countries have a democratic process to split the country into pieces – but I suspect there are not very many.

Our southern neighbors dealt with states’ issues with the central government back in the 1860s by a civil war that saw 750,00 people killed. Ongoing conflicts today, some of which have dragged on for decades, include civil wars in the Congo area, Sudan, Yemen, Mali, Nigeria and Haiti – just to name a few that come immediately to mind. Thousands are being killed. Millions have been displaced.

If Albertans vote to hold a vote on whether the province should hold a vote to separate from Canada it will not be the end of the Canadian federation. There will be a lot of talk, lasting years no doubt. Tempers will rise and passions will flare.

But nobody will die from that, barring a possible heart attack or two. That is the way Canadian democracy works.

I think it beats the alternative.