Alberta Separatists' Dream Remains Unfeasible

The debate about Alberta's future has begun, and it's essential to separate fact from emotion. Mike Shaikh, a long-time resident of Calgary, shares his perspective on the matter.

Shaikh, who arrived in Calgary in the early 1970s, acknowledges that he can be emotional about Alberta. He and his wife built a successful family in the province, taking advantage of its business-friendly environment to establish their own businesses.

However, Shaikh emphasizes that facts have been largely ignored in this debate. He references Spanish philosopher Jorge Santayana's quote: 'Those who ignore history are condemned to repeat it.'

Shaikh draws parallels between the current separatist movement and one from over 50 years ago. The initial Alberta separatist movement emerged following OPEC's decision to raise oil prices in the early 1970s, which had a devastating impact on the province's economy.

In Shaikh's opinion, little has changed since then. Separatists continue to focus on resources and agriculture as the foundation of their proposed national economy. However, he believes this vision is 'unfeasible and impossible' due to the province's limited economic diversification.