A group of Alberta business leaders is urging voters to choose Canada in next month’s Alberta separatism referendum, but admits it’s an issue fraught with tension on the front lines.
The Business Council of Alberta is composed of more than 130 chief executives representing investment firms, retailers, construction companies and more.
Council president Adam Legge says their message is aimed at all Albertans, but in particular the ones who are on the fence about which way they will vote, along with people who intend to vote in favour of separating as a way to send a message to Ottawa.
“Look, we need leverage and we need the ability to convince Ottawa that we still need more fairness in the federation.
“But this is a pretty risky gamble, one that is not consequence-free.”
The BCA feels the province can continue demanding meaningful change from the federal government without leaving Canada.
“There is a lot of talk in some of the separatist communications that Alberta would be the ‘master of its own destiny’ and that’s quite a fiction.
“The ultimate factors that will determine whether separation is a positive or negative are largely, if not entirely, out of Alberta’s control.”
Legge said the council is adding its voice to the chorus of other business groups who warn a vote on Oct. 19 to quit Canada will create massive uncertainty and put jobs and the economy at risk.
“We’re trying to communicate in a way that puts in front of them some of the things they may not have thought about,” he said.
Separating from Canada could result in Albertans possibly paying more for their mortgages, along with loans on vehicles and other items, and could impact home values.
“Would they be as stable in the future as they are now? Would your employers still continue to be here? Would your jobs still be here? How will you be able to move across borders? The company that you work for, will they be able get their products through our national railways or our ports as we do now?
“All of those things that are important will be affected by a separation vote — they should be thinking about that.”
Premier Danielle Smith’s government has tasked the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy with compiling the costs of the province going it alone.
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That report, commissioned in June, is expected in the coming weeks.
Smith said earlier this summer it could cost up to $400 billion to begin the transition to an independent province.
Last week, the Canada West Foundation, a Calgary-based think tank, estimated in a report Alberta separation could carry a set-up cost of $200 billion, with ongoing costs of more than $50 billion every year. It added the move could also shrink Alberta’s economy.
Legge contributed to that report. On Tuesday, he said Albertans are being asked to consider if they are prepared for years, if not decades, of uncertainty that the separation process would bring.
“This is no quick fix. We would have years and years of negotiations without any successful outcome necessarily guaranteed.”
Legge said the council represents the largest companies in Alberta, and for the past decade frustration has grown with how Alberta has been treated.
In particular he said the regulations and hurdles placed in front of the resources sector are a common pain point.
“Many, many folks have wanted to send a message, but I can tell you that has shifted,” Legge said, explaining as Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney have worked together over the past year and a half, the business community has taken note.
“We’ve seen that working together with a very thoughtful and more pragmatic prime minister that progress is possible,” Legge said. “We need to continue to be pushing for more progress.”
Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration of Alberta Minister Joseph Schow said, in a statement, the Business Council of Alberta is right and Albertans have every right to feel frustrated by the way the province has been treated by Ottawa.
“We’ve made real progress, including the historic Alberta-Ottawa energy agreement which scrapped the oil and gas production cap, the net-zero power regulations, and paves the way to build a new oil pipeline to the west coast,” Schow said of the efforts the province has made to improve relations with the federal government.
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“Our job is to keep this momentum going, restore Albertans hope in our country, and continue building a stronger Alberta within a united Canada.”
Legge said BCA members want to speak with a unified voice but hesitate to speak out individually as they may have employees and customers leaning towards secession.
“They recognize that there may be some combination of employees, customers who do have sympathies and are leading separatists,” Legge said.
“They don’t want to upset employees and pit employees against each other or have tension within the workplace, or tension within their customer base.”
With the referendum taking place in 42 days, Legge said now is the time for the business sector to do what it can to help combat voter apathy, including sharing practical information for voters.
He said there’s optimism among business leaders that the separatist push will fail, but there is no guarantee, especially in the event of a low voter turnout.
The BCA said its referendum initiative will amplify the info already available from Elections Alberta, providing basic details about the separation ballot question, voting eligibility and options, and other practical information needed to participate in the referendum.
On Oct. 19, Albertans will vote on whether to remain a province of Canada or to begin the process of holding a second, binding referendum on separation.
The BCA is the latest business group to speak against separatism.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Alberta Chambers of Commerce, and their counterparts representing member businesses in the province’s two biggest cities have all officially staked their position on the pro-Canada side of the debate.
Back in June, the Calgary Chamber said it surveyed its membership and nearly half are prepared to relocate their business to another province if Albertans vote to separate, with only 39 per cent indicating they are unlikely to do so.
The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce’s CEO Dough Griffiths, who previously was a UCP cabinet minister, said back in March separatism isn’t the answer. He noted when investors see political instability, they move capital elsewhere.
The Business Council of Alberta said it is not a registered third-party advertiser and will not buy paid ads as part of its information initiative.
With files from The Canadian Press
Its funny how Canadians were big fans of separatism when some Khalistani Klowns were doing it but now they dont like it at all!
What a bunch of whining babies. I actually hope you all leave, we don’t need you. Good luck with being on your own. Remember, the grass is NOT always greener on the other side.
The majority of businesses are waiting for Alberta independence. Reduced taxes, reduced rules, regulations and red tape. Free trade with other countries without Ottawa politics getting in the way, will make Alberta businesses more profitable and easier to expand their businesses.
Why stay in a country that punishes it’s citizens for breathing? Carbon, plastic, packaging taxes and zero tax returns. Paying for eastern provinces that can’t get by on their own merit. No thanks, Alberta out!
And yet the pipeline hasn’t even been approved. The 500 projects in waiting have not been approved. 9 of 45,000 homes have been built. We continue with transfer payments to provinces that restrict our way of making the money for the transfer payments to be possible. We still have an unelected senate. We still have first past the post. Nothing has changed in the 40 plus years I’ve been paying attention and yet somehow you’re saying that it’s more risky to stay in this abusive relationship. I don’t buy it.
If you don’t like it here in Alberta then move back to Ontario
Business should shut up and let Albertans decide!
I have had more than enough since 1905!!!!
Separate!!!!
Strip mine the oilsands, don’t leave it in the ground. Reclaim land after. Build hundreds of nuclear power plants, hundreds of AI data centers. Alberta has git r done attitude, something rest of Canada lacks. Demand for oil, gas, AI will continue to grow for long time. Province mix of techies and roughnecks.
Canada is at an all-time low right now, so these feelings are entirely justifiable. But the reality is that Alberta just doesn’t have enough leverage to get what they want. They will need to negotiate trade agreements, and because they don’t have access to the coast, their only trading partner will be the US. If you thought the Americans were tough on Canada, they will be even tougher on a tiny country with no other options.
I totally support Alberta! Canada is swirling the toilet. Opened its doors to way too many unskilled people. Sent WAY TOO MUCH money we don’t have to other countries for the stupidest things you can think of… electric scooters to a country with little electricity??? 1/2 billion to import supposedly smart people… get out Alberta get out. Take north of Hope BC with you… it’s closer to the sewer…
Vote yes on Oct 19th. Only way we can get out of this mess we are in is to go it alone.
Lmfao
No thanks
Any surprise the Eastern based/controlled business say choose Canada. What else would they say?
This is a silly article. There isn’t a vote on October 19 to ‘quit Canada’. The vote on October 19 is to see if we should have a vote to ‘quit Canada’. It’s a pre-vote. Every single Albertan could vote to have a future binding referendum, with NO consequence. It seems Global and the Business Council of Alberta are in to fear mongering.
Well, I know I’m voting for change. Canada has destroyed itself and wants to take Alberta with it. More Global slopraganda isn’t changing my mind.
Stephen thinks the natural resources are almost depleted.
Keep voting liberal and stay far away from mental capacity test.
They have jackets for delusional people.
Carney pulled all his financial assets out of Canada and into the US when he shutdown the government for polical gain, used media to spin b.s.
Carney knew what the planned decline in Canada would do to his personal investments and moved them. Alberta would be extremely wise to choose independence from this communist government. When the government controlled mainstream propaganda media is calling them evil separatist and spreading hate they must be worried.
With oil and gas as Alberta’s main source of income but the reserves in the near future coming to being no longer viable, somehow they still see themselves as being self supporting? The saying that goes something like please bring another boom and I won’t piss away the savings comes to mind.
When Alberta separates you libs can always go to China and give head for 1 yuan in alleyways to survive
More liberal propaganda to brain wash Alberta they are needed . What other garbage you going to try tomorrow??
Yes I keep mentioning Russians. I can’t come up with any reasobale counter-argument for people arguing their own case for voting to Leave, so I just blame foreign countries. I just don’t have the mental capacity. Sue me
Alberta’s economy will skyrocket, Canada been Alberta’s ball and chain way,way to long!
NEVER GONNA HAPPEN !!! STOP THE FEAR MONGERING GLOBAL !!! U SOFT, WEAK, PATHETIC, PEOPLE
IF ALBERTANS TRULY ACCEPT THEIR HERITAGE AND NOT DANIELLE SMITH’S VERSION OF ALBERTA, THEY WILL SUPPORT – BUY CANADIAN – AS LONG AS THEY’RE NOT RIPPED OFF.
@Leah 726 pm. Your comment sounds just like something a Russian would say to destabilize Canada.
Canada’s own PM won’t even invest in Canada
There is nothing risky about the 1st referendum. It is not a referendum to separate; it is merely asking Albertans if they’re happy with the status quo. If enough Albertans say No, then there will be a referendum to separate someday in the future (no date set). Meanwhile, a no vote sends Ottawa & Carney a message that Albertans are not happy with the Status Quo.
Business Council, why not get your voices out to the financial wizard himself to get to the negotiating table. The PM is the reason you have no deal, but go ahead and blame it on AB.
Nope we will choose alberta
@Glenn. From a Russian perspective, there is no business case for Alberta to remain in Canada. From an Albertan perspective, Alberta will become virtually landlocked if she separates. The USA will just swoop in and take all the oil.
There’s no business case for Alberta in Canada.
The past 11 years proves to us that we can’t rely on Ottawa to get anything done. We’re tired of our dollars buying eastern votes, regardless of which party is in charge, they’re all the same.