Uncertainty Over Alberta Independence Focuses on Federal Policies
Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has expressed concerns that uncertainty over the province's potential independence could drive businesses and investment away. However, constitutional lawyer Keith Wilson disagrees, pointing out that while a corporate head office can relocate, Alberta's oil and gas resources, farms, pipelines, and mountains are geographically fixed.
Wilson argues that these resources, including billions of dollars in existing infrastructure such as oil sands plants and pipelines, cannot leave the province. He believes that the uncertainty lies not with Alberta's independence but rather with the federal government's policies, particularly the oil and gas emissions cap.
The issue has been acknowledged by both Ottawa and Alberta, which have recognized 'investment uncertainty holding back Alberta's energy economy' in their energy agreement.