The founder of what was the Reform Party of Canada is concerned that a pervasive level of alienation could leave the country more divided after next month's federal election.

Preston Manning, who channelled western alienation into the creation of the Reform party in 1987, told the Canadian Club of Calgary that there is a lot of anger across the country.

"Western alienation, fuelled by the downturn in the energy sector and political resistance to the free movement of petroleum across provincial boundaries to tidewater and world markets, is reviving western separatism, particularly in Saskatchewan and Alberta," Manning, 77, said Wednesday.

• Regional alienation will be 'a challenge' for next federal government, Manning says, Founder of former Reform Party of Canada says western separatism is being revived - https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/reform-party-of-canada-preston-manning-separatism-western-alienation-1.5297736