Evel Knievel ran for president? It's not that crazy a premise. Think Donald Trump.

OTTAWA — Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson didn’t directly mention the threat of Alberta separation when speaking in Calgary on Friday, but his remarks drew a clear connection between Ottawa-Alberta energy cooperation and keeping the country together. Hodgson said it was high time for federal policymakers to adopt a mindset of “Prairie pragmatism” when it comes to developing and leveraging Canada’s abundant natural resources. “Ottawa has awoken to something Western Canada has known for a long time: energy and mineral security is also national security,” Hodgson told the downtown...