Alberta's Independence Could Hamper Market Access for Oil and Gas Industry

A new report on Alberta's potential separation from Canada has shed light on the challenges an independent province would face in maintaining market access for its oil and gas industry.

The report, commissioned by the provincial government, notes that while Alberta would still have access to its existing markets, the changed relationship with the rest of Canada could introduce uncertainty and potentially harm the energy sector's productivity.

According to Robert Johnston, director of energy and natural resources policy at the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy, an independent Alberta would have the same market access challenges as before, but with added complexity in its relationship with the rest of Canada.

The report also highlights that oil, natural gas, and mining make up about 40% of Alberta's exports to other provinces, with Ontario and Quebec being the largest recipients. Nearly 90% of Alberta's total international exports head into the United States.