I was born and raised in Fort McMurray, Alberta. I have always noticed the attitude you are referring to in those who moved to AB for work, and who as a result of that decision, have had their standard of living increase dramatically. In my experience, that attitude is distinct from the attitude of those who have been permanent residents for 30+ years, those who regard Fort McMurray as their home. Transient and migrant population aside, I can truthfully say I've observed no such elitist attitudes from Albertans. Perhaps your experiences are different, but we all view the world through a different coloured lens.

Now, admittedly, at 25 years old I'm probably too young to have been exposed to Albertan separatism as it may have existed in the 80s, though I'm not surprised to hear that it was suggested. I can say, however, that any remaining separatist sentiment hasn't been echoed loudly enough to deserve anything more than a Wikipedia stub since the early 90s.

Meanwhile, I now live in Ottawa, where I've only recently come to understand the notion of "Western alienation" which my high school social studies teacher often made reference to. Western Canada doesn't exist out here. My point is, we're all a little regionally self-absorbed, and beyond that, this idea of a "high and mighty Albertan" is wholly overblown.

Edit:

Case and point.

...Case in point*