Business Council of Alberta Makes Case for Staying in Canada

With less than 45 days to go before the Alberta referendum, the Business Council of Alberta has launched a new initiative to make the case for staying in Canada. The organization's president, Adam Legge, says that while some business leaders may be hesitant to speak out on the issue, most of his members want him to advocate for remaining part of Canada.

Legge points out that many companies have employees and customers who support separation, but the majority of the council's membership is opposed. He attributes this to concerns over the uncertainty that would arise from separation, particularly around trade agreements, market access, currency, and interest rates. 'The notion that a separate Alberta would be a master of its own destiny is a fiction,' he said.

The Business Council of Alberta has launched a new website with videos and graphics aimed at making the case for staying in Canada. Legge notes that some members, particularly in the resource sector, have long been frustrated with federal policy, but even they recognize the uncertainty surrounding separation. He cites recent developments, such as the proposed oil pipeline to the West Coast, as changing sentiment on the issue.

Other business organizations, including the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and the Canada West Foundation, have also weighed in on the issue, suggesting that separation could lead to a business exodus and shrink the provincial economy by $62 billion a year. However, proponents of independence argue that such projections assume 'worst-case outcomes' and ignore Alberta's leverage.